Arizona "Bucket List"

I've got 2 months left in the valley before I move back to the Midwest for residency training (then hopefully back here for good). Found this site too late, but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations of courses that I cannot miss before I leave?

So far I've done: Quintero, Wickenburg, Southern Dunes, Dove Mountain (Tucson), Gold Canyon (Dinosaur), TPC Stadium, both Verrado's, Estrella, Rancho Manana, Papago, Wigwam, Legacy, and Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona.

I'm near the end of my student loans so don't think I'll be able to afford Troon or Boulder's which I'm not super upset about (not a big fan of courses that go through residential areas).

From my research and word of mouth, my current 'need to play' list includes: We-Ko-Pa, Sunridge Canyon, Verde River, Eagle Mtn, Stoneridge??

I'm definitely more into the scenic elevation changes with desert views and enjoy being as isolated away from homes/roads as possible. I have no limit for driving so any others in Tucson, Prescott, etc. are fair game. Thanks!

Los Caballeros in Wickenburg would meet your criteria and is relatively budget friendly.

If you want to see interesting architecture Apache Stronghold (Tom Doak) might suit you but by all accounts it is not well maintained. Also Talking Stick/O'odham is very good if a little bland - designed by Coore and Crenshaw.

If you’re a Tin Cup fan you can drive down to Tubac and play a course they played in the movie. There’s even a plaque on the ground where Roy McAvoy hit the shot when he was caddying for Simms.

I’d personally add Ventana Canyon (Mountain) to the list. Has an incredible par 3 that’s been labeled “the most photographed par 3 west of the Mississippi” although not sure of the accuracy of that statement. It’s actually a really cool hole where they literally carved out a green in the side of the mountain. Only plays about a 115 but it has eaten many a ball.

WeKoPa Saguaro (not Cholla). Then you can go home.

Camelback Ambiente for a very fun playable layout in great shape

WeKoPa Saguaro (not Cholla). Then you can go home.

I agree

Cost or not play WeKoPa Saguaro.

Given the information you have provided WeKoPa Saguaro is the obvious choice as others have stated.

You’ll find some houses there as well but I really enjoyed Wickenburg Ranch.

Out of all those you originally mentioned what were your top 3 or 4?

I'd play AZ National in Tucson if you're down here, just for the views alone, but it's a great track as well.

In really good shape right now.

I'll second Ventana Canyon (Mountain) as well as Sewailo.

Out of all those you originally mentioned what were your top 3 or 4?

I'd put Quintero as a hands down #1. Could not beat that combination of pure isolation with phenomenal conditions. I agree that the par 3's are all somewhat similar but I thought the par 5's were really strong and had a good mix of par 4's.

Probably then go #2 Dove Mountain (Tucson), #3 Wickenburg Ranch (there might be nothing better than 9 hole matches on the lil' Wick course with 3 of your buddies), and then #4 Southern Dunes

I'd play AZ National in Tucson if you're down here, just for the views alone, but it's a great track as well.

In really good shape right now.

I'll second Ventana Canyon (Mountain) as well as Sewailo.

I'd play AZ National in Tucson if you're down here, just for the views alone, but it's a great track as well.

In really good shape right now.

I'll second Ventana Canyon (Mountain) as well as Sewailo.

I thought Ventana Canyon was private now

Semi private last time I checked unless something changed.

I'd play AZ National in Tucson if you're down here, just for the views alone, but it's a great track as well.

In really good shape right now.

I'll second Ventana Canyon (Mountain) as well as Sewailo.

I thought Ventana Canyon was private now

 

Semi private last time I checked unless something changed.

If you want to see interesting architecture Apache Stronghold (Tom Doak) might suit you but by all accounts it is not well maintained. Also Talking Stick/O'odham is very good if a little bland - designed by Coore and Crenshaw.

Alright, I've researched this Apache Stronghold course and I'm really interested. Don't need phenomenal conditions by any means but are they known to be unbearably bad? Don't want to drive 1.5 hours to play a completely unmaintained track.

You’ll be fine

36 at Grayhawk, best place to spend a day golfing in phx imo.

36 at Grayhawk, best place to spend a day golfing in phx imo.

WeKoPa is a great weekend, but Ventana still one of my favorites!

If you want to see interesting architecture Apache Stronghold (Tom Doak) might suit you but by all accounts it is not well maintained. Also Talking Stick/O'odham is very good if a little bland - designed by Coore and Crenshaw.

 

Alright, I've researched this Apache Stronghold course and I'm really interested. Don't need phenomenal conditions by any means but are they known to be unbearably bad? Don't want to drive 1.5 hours to play a completely unmaintained track.

If you aren't into GCA style course/play you won't get it, so maybe read up a bit to be enlightened :) I posted a "review" with pics on NoLayingUp's forum. https://refuge.nolayingup.com/t/apache-stronghold-az-deserted-doak-doozy/4011

My recommendation is to absolutely go out and play it. If the course were within 30 minutes Phoenix and in "Troon" shape, I think it would be the top course in the SW (yes, better than Riv and LACC). I want to head out again after they have about 3 weeks with no rain. The soggy conditions really hurt a course like that.

I would add McDowell Mountain in there and take out Verde River....IMO it's lost a lot since they built the houses and the redesign. Still a nice course as a whole but I like McDowell Mtn. better

If you want to see interesting architecture Apache Stronghold (Tom Doak) might suit you but by all accounts it is not well maintained. Also Talking Stick/O'odham is very good if a little bland - designed by Coore and Crenshaw.

 

Alright, I've researched this Apache Stronghold course and I'm really interested. Don't need phenomenal conditions by any means but are they known to be unbearably bad? Don't want to drive 1.5 hours to play a completely unmaintained track.

 

If you aren't into GCA style course/play you won't get it, so maybe read up a bit to be enlightened :) I posted a "review" with pics on NoLayingUp's forum. https://refuge.nolayingup.com/t/apache-stronghold-az-deserted-doak-doozy/4011

 

My recommendation is to absolutely go out and play it. If the course were within 30 minutes Phoenix and in "Troon" shape, I think it would be the top course in the SW (yes, better than Riv and LACC). I want to head out again after they have about 3 weeks with no rain. The soggy conditions really hurt a course like that.

Holler when you go, or maybe we can set up a wrx outing. I can’t help but think those of us who make the trek out there and give updates have to drive some traffic out to Apache

If you want to see interesting architecture Apache Stronghold (Tom Doak) might suit you but by all accounts it is not well maintained. Also Talking Stick/O'odham is very good if a little bland - designed by Coore and Crenshaw.

 

Alright, I've researched this Apache Stronghold course and I'm really interested. Don't need phenomenal conditions by any means but are they known to be unbearably bad? Don't want to drive 1.5 hours to play a completely unmaintained track.

 

If you aren't into GCA style course/play you won't get it, so maybe read up a bit to be enlightened :) I posted a "review" with pics on NoLayingUp's forum. https://refuge.nolayingup.com/t/apache-stronghold-az-deserted-doak-doozy/4011

 

My recommendation is to absolutely go out and play it. If the course were within 30 minutes Phoenix and in "Troon" shape, I think it would be the top course in the SW (yes, better than Riv and LACC). I want to head out again after they have about 3 weeks with no rain. The soggy conditions really hurt a course like that.

 

Holler when you go, or maybe we can set up a wrx outing. I can’t help but think those of us who make the trek out there and give updates have to drive some traffic out to Apache

I would definitely be in for this

FYI on Apache Stronghold The eastern side got absolutely hammered with snow and rain during the storm a couple weeks ago. Snow falling at much lower elevations than here in the valley. I would put that off for a while as it is going to be very very soggy as their drainage is not good. Saw pics of a foot of snow at 2k feet elevation down that way

FYI the brunch buffet on Sundays at the Ventana Canyon resort is just about the best thing I've ever had. On Saturday, I would play 18 or 36, chill by the pool, wake up Sunday and brunch!

FYI the brunch buffet on Sundays at the Ventana Canyon resort is just about the best thing I've ever had. On Saturday, I would play 18 or 36, chill by the pool, wake up Sunday and brunch!

Oh goodness yes! Best Sunday brunch in town hands down!

https://m.facebook.com/ApacheStronghold/

The Facebook will usually update conditions, I tend to use their info and golfadvisor for the most up to date reviews, though typically you have to take them with a grain of salt.

FWIW, since jdotconner and his father started going out there, there’s only been one time since I’ve been where I felt it was unplayable, and that was because the greens had been punched and sanded, and that’s on me anyways, should have called.

FWIW there’s been times where it’s played just fine, and others where it was pretty wet. When it’s bad, I’ll just kinda practice out there on course and take it all in. I love going solo and making a day of it

So went out to Apache yesterday.

Pros: We were the only one's out there. That pure isolation and removal from homes/roads was phenomenal; arguably my the most important aspect of a course that makes it high on my personal list. The layout was great, I understand why it gets the credit that it does from a design standpoint. Difficult tee-shots are paired with wider fairways, all the par 3's are unique and require a different club, and your mammoth par 4's that are 460+ where you're counting your blessing for pars are complemented with some holes that are gettable for birdies.

Cons: It was CRAZY windy for us. Some gusting to 40+ easily. Had to step away from shots multiple times, balls were oscillating on the greens. Just so much wind where it wasn't a challenge, it was just purely not fun. And, as expected, the conditions were rough. Tee boxes were rough length (difficult to tee up any club), fairways were with the dormant bermuda got essentially no run-out (moved up to the 7000 tees on the back and was better), and the greens had a fair amount of just frank dead spots.

It's hard to be upset when you know that your $35.00 tee time probably was the only income to that course for the day. I agree in that if conditioning was up to Valley-area standards this course could make a run for best track in the state. It wasn't 'target' desert golf and it wasn't parkland. The views were stunning and the drive out there was beautiful in and of itself.

Might give it a shot again as close to summer as I can to see if the warmer weather and drier conditions help it out at all. Also think I just got a bad draw with the wind. Overall would go out and play again; won't be devastated if i don't get another chance.

Late summer early fall is a good time to target Apache Stronghold. It has almost always been around the best it is going to be when I have gone out in late aug into early oct.

IIRC one of the biggest issues they have is basically trying to run low desert grass at an elevation and climate that wont support it year round and over the years it has taken its toll.