The Buzz: The only course in Arizona designed by former U.S. Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller, Pueblo El Mirage was created as a centerpiece of a gated retirement community for active adults that offers homes, rental property and an RV resort. The course is defined by gently rolling fairways, several lakes that bring water into play on 11 holes and out-of-bounds stakes on nearly every hole. Fairways aren’t particularly wide, so this is a course where you would be well advised not to reach for a driver on every tee shot.
The course opened in 1985 and has become a popular venue with an estimated 60,000 rounds per year. The par-72 layout has three sets of tees at 6,596, 6,196 and 5,826 yards and is rated at 71.1 with a slope of 125 from the back tees. Par-5 holes are the teeth of the course and three of them are rated as the toughest three holes on the course.
No. 2, at 548 yards, is rated third; the eighth, at 535 yards, is ranked the hardest and No. 11, at 503 yards, is rated the second toughest on the card. No. 18 is another par 5 at 518 yards and ranked as the No. 8 handicap hole, but with water coming into play it’s as difficult as any of the others and a very good finishing hole.
Conversely, the four par-3 holes are ranked as the easiest four on the course and offer nice variety with yardages ranging from 117 to 176. The third, at 144 yards, is the best of the lot, requiring a tee shot over water to a peninsula green.
The signature hole is the 15th, which probably is the strongest par 4 at 421 yards with a tight fairway. It requires an accurate approach shot to a tiered green over a lake and is particularly difficult when the pin is tucked in the back left corner.
Practice facilities include a driving range and chipping and putting greens, and the course has a very enjoyable 19th hole with the El Mirage Bar and Grill. The full-service restaurant serves up good food and has a wrap-around porch that offers some nice views of the course and nearby White Tank Mountains.
Pueblo El Mirage is located near University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals football team, and near several Cactus League spring training sites. Along with its reasonable daily green fees, the club offers full-year and half-year memberships. Amenities provided for residents include an Olympic-size pool with a beach-style entry, Jacuzzi, outdoor fireplace, fitness center, billiard room, game room and softball field.
