AZGA Arizona Golf Buzz: “Rolling” is the best word to describe this Arizona golf course, where flat lies are a rarity, both on the fairways and the greens. When he designed this course that opened in 1992, Bill Phillips wanted a layout reminiscent of Scottish links golf and that’s what emerged with its mounding, moguls and undulating greens, along with seven ponds and lakes that bring water into play on 10 holes.
Those features create the challenges on a layout that isn’t particularly long by today’s standards. Kokopelli has four sets of tees, ranging from 4,992 to 6,716 yards, with a rating of 72.1 and slope of 135 from the back tees.
Kokopelli starts with the best birdie chance on the course at an uphill, right-to-left dogleg 519-yard par 5, and ends with the longest hole on the course, a par 5 of 574 yards.
In between, there are plenty of interesting holes, such as the third, a par 4 that plays at 346 yards from the back tee and has a lake running down the left side that wraps around the front and left of the green, and out of bounds along the right side.
The eighth, which is the No. 1 handicap hole, is a 563-yard par 5 with a slight dogleg left that has a tiny opening into a green with water wrapping around the right and back.
The signature hole is the par-5 18th, a dogleg left with a bunker at the elbow to dissuade you from cutting the corner off of an elevated tee, and an approach shot over a large bunker to an elevated green guarded on the front, left and back by a lake wrapping around three sides.
It isn’t a grueling golf experience by any means, but Kokopelli has more than enough challenges to keep low-handicappers focused on the task of playing shots from uneven fairway lies all day long.
The course is named for the mysterious, hump-backed flute player of the southwest that has been a sacred figure to Native Americans since prehistoric times and is associated with rain-making and increased fertility.
It is managed by Eagle Golf and, in 2008, was named the company’s most-improved facility. There are full practice facilities available, including a driving range, chipping and putting greens and practice bunker. Kokopelli is known for staging unconventional events and has a popular player-development program, which offers discount pricing for members. The Kokopelli Grill in the clubhouse serves breakfast and lunch daily.