Arizona Golf Courses — Lone Tree Golf Club
As you survey the 14,000 trees that were planted around Lone Tree after it opened in 2001, you might wonder how it got its contrary name. The answer stands near the ninth tee in the form of a massive cottonwood, which was the only tree on the course when it was built on the site of a former potato farm. The trees, and the course, have matured splendidly on this semi-private course, where the majority of weekend play is by public golfers; the members are Monday-Friday golfers.
Designed by Darryl Wilson of the CMX Group, this desert-style course is accented by elevated tees, open, rolling fairways leading to fast, undulating greens and has a reputation for excellent conditioning.
The par-71 plays at 6,895 yards from the tips with water on five holes and offers picturesque views of the nearby San Tan Mountains. While it is a player-friendly course that appeals to the average golfer, Lone Tree also stands the test of elite players, evidenced by the fact that, since 2002, it has been a pre-qualifying site for Phoenix Open, a PGA Tour event played annually in Scottsdale.
Both nines end with risk-reward par-5s at 551 and 572 yards from the tees, but the signature hole is the 12th, a tough, 185-yard par-3 to an island green with an inverted-bowl shape that slopes toward the water in all four directions.
Practice facilities include a double-ended driving range and the clubhouse features the Lone Tree Grille, which specializes in lighter fare, such as sandwiches and burgers, in a laid-back setting with views of the 18th green, water features and a cozy fire-pit area.