Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: Nestled in the heart of Sitgreaves National Forest atop the Mogollon Rim, Pine Meadows’ nine-hole course offers up a splendid setting and some wonderful views of the mountain terrain and Ponderosa Pine forests surrounding the Heber and Overgaard communities, a couple hours drive northeast of the Phoenix-metro area.
Designed by Arthur “Jack” Snyder, who was one of Arizona’s most prominent early course architects, it rests at an elevation of 6,000 feet and is defined by tree-lined fairways, with water in play on three holes. The course plays to par 34 with just one par-5 hole and three par 3s, and has three sets of tees at 2,639, 2,493 and 2,292 yards, with a rating of 64.3 and slope of 110 for an 18 hole-loop from the back tees.
Pine Meadows Country Club starts with one of the better holes on the course, a dogleg-left 353-yard par-4. A lake threatens the right side of the green and wraps around the front, with a large bunker guarding the left-front.
The seventh, a 298-yard par 4 is a risk-reward hole that big hitters can drive, but a tributary that serves as overflow for the lake on No. 1 wraps around the front of the green, making that shot a huge gamble, especially when water levels are up.
The eighth hole is the best of the par-3 holes at 189 yards with a tee shot that must carry over a large lake, with a large bunker guarding the right-front of the green.
Pine Meadows, which opened in 1986, has a driving range and practice green and a rustic bar, lounge and golf shop. A full-service restaurant is open for dinner on weekends.
Read the Arizona Golf Course Directory AZGA Golf Course Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.
It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.
