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Central Arizona Fountain Hills Scottsdale

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Course

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Course – Arizona Golf Courses

If you were tasked with choosing the best piece of property in Arizona  for a pair of golf courses, the site at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club would be one of your finalists. Both courses, Cholla and Saguaro, provide native-natural terrain and boast spectacular views.

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The team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw laid the Saguaro Course in place with their distinctively delicate hand about  five years after the Cholla Course opened for play. It made WeKoPa Golf Club “the” place to play in Arizona and with the addition of Saguaro, it still is!

One of golf’s red-hot design teams of the past decade, Coore-Crenshaw did not disappoint with their stellar effort at We-Ko-Pa Saguaro, even if a few holes did turn out rather unique, like the super-short uphill par-3 ninth and super-challenging par-4 finish at the eighteenth.

Course conditioning and incredible desert-mountain views don’t get much better than here at We-Ko-Pa and the Saguaro Course offers up an entertaining mix of of short par 4s and long par 4s right in the middle of the surrounding natural splendor.

The golf course plays firm and fast throughout so don’t be frightened by the 469-yard par-4 first hole; your tee ball is going to run forever. Just remember that’s just as true at the 336-yard par-4 second or your tee-ball will run-out and find a fairway bunker you thought you were playing short of.

The signature 14th, a 538-yard uphill par 5,  presents a different dilemma: a tempting split fairway and fantastic mountain views both vie for your attention. Here’s a tip: highly skilled players go right, the rest of us play to the left-side fairway – your choice.

The par-3 fifteenth is another favorite. The elevated tee tempers it’s 255-yard length, reducing your club selection by at least two clubs. The green complex below offers an open door for the baby-draw shot we all see ourselves playing from time to time. Go ahead and author one, the forgiving slope on the right-hand side of the green will collect those shots that stay straight.

One thing to definitely smile about is that We-Ko-Pa’s slightly shorter Saguaro Course (a little over 6,900 yards) allows walking and that’s a good thing. This is no level stroll through your local parkland muni though, you’ll be up and down through the natural arroyos that give this course it’s desert character.

wekopa-ben-crenshaw-bill-cooreTrue to form, Messrs. Coore-Crenshaw left the fairway and green sites completely natural. Or as Crenshaw spun it:

“We just kind of draped the grass over what was already there.’’

It’s the less is more, minimalist philosophy the dynamic-duo adheres to and it’s perfect for property this stunning. Another thing to like is the old-style bunkering, which undoubtedly is a Coore-Crenshaw strength. Not only are there several gaping pot bunkers on the Saguaro, there also are plenty of elongated fairway bunkers known as “furrowed brows’’ with a touch of wispy grass hanging over the edges strictly for effect.

Add it all up and Saguaro is pure, compelling golf in the desert.  Also featured are a cool, rustic half-way house that looks like it was built in the days of yesteryear, and We-Ko-Pa’s striking clubhouse – it’s first-rate and ultra-chic in a new-age Native American way.

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA “Local Hang” for We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is the club’s panoramic patio, especially if you indulge in the magnificent mahi-mahi sliders with zesty Pico de Gallo and a draught of Drop Top amber ale.  No wonder We-Ko-Pa markets the final moments of a day of golf as “good food with a view.’’

Click We-Ko-Pa Cholla Course to check out Saguaro’s sister course; these two pair for a world-class 36-hole day of Arizona golf.

Visit our Arizona Golf Course Reviews and read the AZGA Player’s review for every golf course in Arizona at http://www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

Categories
Central Arizona Fountain Hills Scottsdale

We-Ko-Pa Cholla Course

We-Ko-Pa Cholla – Arizona Golf Courses

Even though it’s often referred to as the “other course’’ at We-Ko-Pa these days, the Cholla Course is the main attraction for many players who visit this 36-hole facility, located about 20 minutes east of Scottsdale.

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Built in 2001 by Scottsdale’s own golf course architect, Scott Miller, the Cholla course tips out at 7,225 yards, but offers several, more entertaining tee boxes between there and the front tees at 5,289. Cholla is rip-roaring fun thanks to its constantly changing terrain and endless variety of risk-reward golf hole designs.

Cholla’s thrilling adventure across the native American reservation of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation begins at the first tee. Elevated far above the first fairway below, you can play nearly any mid to long club in your bag. Your task is to determine how much, if any, you want to cut off the nearly 90-degree, downhill, dogleg left par-4, which plays much shorter than its official 351 yards.

That’s followed up by a slight double-dog-leg par-5 that slithers its way gently uphill to a partially hidden green, and then it’s onward to the dramatic, par-3 third which glistens like an emerald green jewel dropped into this natural, arid terrain.

wekopa-cholla-scott-millerWow, whether you’re two-under or four-over after these first three fasten your seat belt because this Scott Miller thrill ride just keeps getting better all day.

Even though it’s a bit controversial,  the difficult par-5 eighth hole offers a signature “Kodak moment’’ shot into a green complex that is drop-dead gorgeous. The tee shot is launched from the highest point on the course and breaks sharply to the right and down the hill. Your second shot is the tricky one here.

The green complex in the distance is artfully tucked into a rocky box canyon, on the opposite side of a natural arroyo that bisects the fairway. A lay-up short of it leaves you a sticky, downhill, side-hill lie for your third that can be troublesome. There’s room to lay on the far side of the arroyo as well, but a solid shot is required to carry the arroyo and find it.

If that’s not enough distraction, just add the awe-inspiring backdrop beyond featuring the namesake Four Peaks mountain, pronounced “we-ko-pah’’ in the native Yavapai language. The eighth is great fun and no matter what you card here, your eye-candy appetite will be satisfied.

The back nine is just as exhilarating, with a non-stop barrage of special par-3s, risk-reward par-5s and elegant green complexes with putting surfaces that are sure to knock your golf socks off.

So how is it that the Cholla is often overlooked in favor of the Saguaro course if it’s really this much nonstop excitement?

Well, call it the Coore-Crenshaw factor, as the design team of Bill and Ben, and their “minimalist” design philosophy are pretty popular these days. But a lot of those who rate golf courses for a living recognize this first offering at We-Ko-Pa has a lot more pizazz.

We agree. If you find yourself in need of an elevator presentation for the two courses at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club use this:

“Cholla, the original course, is played through the air and Saguaro, the one Crenshaw did, is played on the ground. They may be the best onsite, sister course pairing in desert southwest, and that’s why next Saturday, I booked us for a 36-hole day!”

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA “Local Hang” for We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is the club’s panoramic patio, especially if you indulge in the magnificent mahi-mahi sliders with zesty Pico de Gallo and a draught of Drop Top amber ale.  No wonder We-Ko-Pa markets the final moments of a day of golf as “good food with a view.’’

Click We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Course to check out Cholla’s sister course; these two pair for a world-class 36-hole day of golf.

Visit our Arizona Golf Course Reviews and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona at http://www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

Categories
Central Arizona Phoenix

Villa de Paz Golf Course

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review: Villa de Paz is a favorite of local veteran players on the west side of Phoenix and has a well-deserved reputation as one of the area’s best value courses.

Villa de Paz Golf Course

Designed by Greg Nash, it opened in 1976 and received a makeover in 2002 that enhanced the traditional, parkland-style layout featuring fairways lined with mature eucalyptus trees. Fairways are fairly tight, greens are well bunkered and water features bring water into play on 10 holes.

Level par is 72 at Villa de Paz; three sets of tees are set at 6,641, 6,146 and 5,458 yards with a rating of 70.1 and slope of 123 from the tips. Birdie opportunities abound with four par-4s playing at less than 345 yards from the tips and a nice variety of par-3s at 160, 225, 172 and 236 yards. But with all the water in play here, precision is the key to scoring; leave the grip it and rip it in the trunk of your car.

The ninth hole, a 559-yard par 5 with a dogleg right, is difficult to reach in two because of its length and the green complex, sporting a small putting surface shaped like a lima bean with a large bunker guarding the front-right corner, is best approached with a short iron.

No. 12 is strong par-4 playing at just 370 yards, but cross bunkers in the primary landing area and a lake that starts near the end of the fairway and wraps around the left and behind the green produce a lot of bogeys here.

Villa de Paz saves what may be the toughest par on the course for last. The 4-par 18th is the signature hole and, from the back tee, the dogleg right is a handful at 470 yards. The tee shot must carry a fairway bunker and the approach needs to carry a lake to reach a three-tiered green guarded by a large bunker along the left side.

Villa de Paz offers full practice facilities with a grassed driving range, putting, chipping and bunker areas, and the clubhouse includes a restaurant that serves up breakfast and lunch. It’s not a country club or luxury resort course, but all things considered, Villa de Paz provides a solid layout with plenty of thrills for one of the most reasonable green fees in the Phoenix area.

Read the Arizona Golf Course List AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

Categories
Central Arizona Sun City

Union Hills Country Club – Sun City

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review: Union Hills Country Club, formerly cotton fields and orange groves, gave way to a public golf course in 1974. The Club became private four years later when members took ownership and began adding an array of country club amenities.

Although located in Sun City, it’s a stand-alone property and not part of the Recreation Centers of Sun City, which has a stable of eight courses available to its residents.

Designed by Greg Nash and Jeff Hardin, designers of several courses for Arizona retirement communities, it is a player-friendly layout that is relatively flat, with narrow fairways, several elevated greens and four lakes and two creeks that bring water into play on eight holes.

Union Hills offers four sets of tees that play at 6,827, 6,293, 5,886 and 5,442 yards, with a rating of 70.7 and slope of 115 from the back tees. Virtually all of the holes run parallel to others with each nine designed in and out-and-back configuration.

The par-3 holes offer a nice variety and are the real scoring test here, playing at 210, 180, 150 and 220 yards. The signature hole is the 14th, a 375-yard par-4 that requires a carry over water to the green.

Gear up for the finishing stretch; the No. 1 handicap hole is the 16th, a dogleg 5-par stretching 540 yards. 17 and 18 are both par-4s, 400 and 445 yards, and make for a challenging finish to the round.

Union Hills has complete practice facilities with a driving range, chipping and putting greens, and other amenities include tennis courts and a swimming pool. Fine dining is available in the main dining room and members can enjoy casual fair in the Kachina Room and outdoor patio. The club has a busy social calendar and offers 10 golf and social membership options, including an unusual two-day membership.

Read the Arizona Golf Course List AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

Categories
Central Arizona Sun City West

Trail Ridge Golf Course

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review: Trail Ridge is one of the four regulation-length golf courses among the seven courses (three are executive layouts) managed by the Recreation Centers of Sun City West.

While technically a private club, it offers limited public play, mainly during the summer months, with green fees that provide great value in the Phoenix area; members always receive preferred rates and tee times.

Designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash, who have created many of the layouts in Arizona’s active adult communities, Trail Ridge opened in 1990 and underwent an extensive, six-month renovation project, reopening for play in October, 2011. The tees, fairways and greens all were upgraded, along with the driving range and the clubhouse.

The golf course is relatively flat but fairways offer some rolling terrain and are lined with mature trees; six lakes bring water into play on eight holes. Level par is 72 and Trail Ridge offers four sets of tees at 6,566, 6,200, 5,512 and 5,497 yards, with a rating of 71.4 and slope of 128 from the tips.

After a couple straightforward holes, things get interesting at No. 3, a 418-yard par-4 where you need to carry shots over two separate lakes. The first is in play along the left side off the tee and the second stretches down the right side of the end of the fairway and green.

Messrs. Casper and Nash crafted a nice variety of par-3 holes, including two that measure longer than 200 yards. Their best is No. 7, a 163-yard shot to a green guarded on the front, right and back by a large lake that also stretches part way down the eighth hole.

The highlight of the back nine is the 14th, where two more lakes provide the challenge. One is positioned near the end of the fairway on the right side and blocks the front of the green and the other horseshoes around the back side; tricky putting surface here too.

Trail Ridge is outfitted with full all-turf driving range, chipping and putting greens, and a snack bar with food service. Members of the Sun City West community association enjoy numerous amenities, including bowling, recreation centers, fitness facilities, a library, village store and dining. A teaching academy also is available to members with a staff that includes former LPGA Tour player Anne-Marie Palli.

Read the Arizona Golf Course List AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.