The Buzz: This is the second of two semi-private courses created by Billy Casper and Greg Nash at Granite Falls in the active adult community of Sun City Grand. There are three other golf facilities in Grand’s recreation program, which allow public play but provide preferred tee times for members. The North course, which opened in 1999, features a traditional layout with generous, player-friendly fairways and greens, lakes that come into play throughout the course and other appealing water features. There are four sets of tees at 6,720, 6,375, 5,808 and 5,214 yards, and an optional executive layout at 4,186. It is rated at 71.6 with a slope of 122 and is considered slightly more difficult than the South, with the two courses receiving an equal amount of play.
The most demanding portion of the course is a three-hole stretch that starts with No. 9, a 540-yard par 5 that is the No. 3 handicap hole. Right behind it is another par 5 at 560 that is ranked the No. 6 handicap, and a 400-yard par 4 rated as the second handicap. The par-5 holes are particularly challenging with handicap rankings of 1, 3, 4 and 6 and there is a nice variety of par 3s, which range from 155-215 yards.
The signature hole is the 18th, which is one of those par 5s, at 505 yards to a green with a lake that wraps around two-thirds of its circumference and features a waterfall and fountain, and a mammoth bunker that curls around the entire back half of the putting surface. Practice facilities, which include a driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker area and the clubhouse, with a snack bar, are shared with the South Course. There also is a Coco’s Restaurant next to the facility.
Sun City Grand is an active adult (55 and older) community northwest of Phoenix with four championship golf courses, five swimming pools, two fitness centers, three onsite restaurants and resort-style living in nearly 10,000 homes. A variety of clubs and interest groups give residents the opportunity to experience a full range of activities, with golf being one of the most popular.