The Buzz: Located in Scottsdale’s northernmost area, this is the centerpiece of the Terravita development, a master-planned community that was developed in 1993 by Del Webb/Pulte Homes and has been owned and operated by members since 1998. Significant infrastructure investments have been made since 2007, upgrading the quality of the facility. PGA Hall of Fame golfer Billy Casper and Valley architect Greg Nash designed this private non-equity course, which has five sets of tees, ranging from 5,283 to 7,075 yards, and is rated at 73.3 with a slope of 141 from the tips. In other words, if you choose to play it all the way back, you’ll have both hands full.
It is a desert-style layout with homes and some rugged terrain in the transition areas, so accuracy off the tee is important in scoring well here. The course offers some excellent views of Black Mountain, Boulders and other mountain ranges, and its bentgrass greens are among the area’s best. It is annually ranked among the Best of Arizona Business Magazine’s listing of the state’s top 10 private golf courses. Practice facilities include an expansive, two-way driving range and two chipping, sand and putting practice areas.
Casper and Nash took advantage of the many washes, rolling hills and native vegetation found in the Sonoran desert making Terravita the first course to open in Scottsdale under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance adopted by the city in 1993. In its first year of operation, Terravita hosted U.S. Open qualifying and the Southwest Section of the PGA of America championship.
Highlights of the front nine include the third hole, a double dogleg at 610 yards from the back tee to one of the largest greens on the course. Depending on pin position, it could be a three-club difference on approach and if you end up on the wrong tier, a three-putt looms. The ninth is one of the most picturesque holes and the shortest par 4 at 358 yards, but the elevated green is virtually surrounded by bunkers.
Right behind it is the No. 1 handicap hole, a 442-yard par 4 with a desert transition area 240 yards from the tee. A lake wraps around the right side and back of the green and a series of four bunkers guard the right side with a large bunker guarding the back left.
Membership to Terravita Country Club is included with the purchase of every home, which includes dining, the fitness center, pool and spa facility, tennis facilities and the Desert Pavilion community center. Members must pay monthly dues. Optional golf memberships also are available, with packages designed for singles, couples and families. There are about 1,400 households in the gated community just south of Carefree, which spreads across 823 acres, offers high-end amenities in an elegant setting and takes its name from the Latin words terra (land or earth) and vita (life).