The Buzz: Golf is one of the primary activities you will find around most adult communities and their residents would be thrilled to have facilities matching what Granite Falls has to offer with its combination of challenges, playability and visual appeal. The South Course, which opened in 1997, was the first of two designed here by former PGA Tour pro Billy Casper and partner Greg Nash, who has had a hand in several designs around the Valley. The semi-private courses both feature traditional style layouts that are similar in feel, yardage and challenge, with generous fairways, pleasant water features and distant mountain backdrops. There are four sets of tees at 6,839, 6,401, 5,831 and 5,214 yards, with a rating of 71.4 and slope of 121 from the tips. There also is an executive course option of 4,124 yards.
Numbers, just like looks, can be deceiving and that is the case here. The eighth and 15th holes are good examples. No. 8 is a par 3 that might seem like a brute at 223 yards from the back tee, but it is ranked as the 15th handicap hole. The 15th on the other hand, is a popgun par 4 at 315 yards from the tips but is the No. 2 handicap. It also happens to be the signature hole of the entire complex, playing to an island green with a large bunker guarding the entire right side.
The par-5 third hole is the No. 1 handicap and the longest on the course at 543 yards. As is the case on the North Course, the finishing hole here is a strong. The 540-yard par 5 plays to a green with a lake wrapping around three sides, large bunkers guarding the left and right and a fountain and waterfall providing the visuals. Granite Falls is one of four golf facilities in the Sun City Grand community. All are open to public play but residents receive tee-time preference. Practice facilities here, which include a driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker area, and the clubhouse, with a snack bar, are shared by the North and South courses.
Sun City Grand is an active adult (55 and older) community northwest of Phoenix that also offers 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.