Upcoming Trip to North Scottsdale

[jschwech]

Our group has been travelling to Scottsdale for 15 plus years and have played most of the high end courses (more than once). The ones still remaining on our bucket list (primarily because of travel time) is Wickenberg and SD. The group favors scenery over other criteria and therefore Gold Canyon, We-Ko-Pa and Quintero have been repeat favorites. Trying to fill in our last course for upcoming trip in late March and looking for something not extremely high end.....and which we have not played before or for several years. Also looking for a cheaper late afternoon 2nd round option. We are staying in a house in North Scottsdale near Troon North. Thoughts on the following courses?

Rancho Manana

Dove Valley

Wildfire

McDowell Mountain

Thanks.......

 

[skisnutz]

Don't bother with Dove Valley. Overpriced and boring

Rancho Manana has great scenery and some very neat holes. Lots of elevation changes. Target golf for sure and don't let the short yardages fool you. Tonto Burger is a must.

Wildfire Faldo is the best of the two courses there. Bring your sand game.

Never played McDowell Mountain

[az2au]

Rancho Mañana is terrible IMO. Scenery is fine for sure but the course is just a mess of poor design

Dove Valley, mediocre at best.

Wildfire-Palmer, fine, nothing special but not bad

Wildfire-Faldo, similar. I don't think either are great but neither are terrible either

McDowell Mountain-If it is in good shape (and that's definitely something you should check) is the the most interesting design of the courses listed but not appreciably better than either Wildfire course.

[puttnforthe8]

2nd this...that is a pretty brutal list for a travel trip.

Sounds like you have played most courses - but would still suggest a trip like Verde River, Legend Trail, add Tonto Verde (2 courses) - next tier Las Sendas, McDowell, Papago, Longbow,

[jschwech]

Thanks for the comments.......

FYI, we are scheduled to play Eagle Mt, Boulders South, Quintero, Verde River and Legend Trail. The courses above were for a cheaper last day option and/or 9 hole afternoon 2nd round. May opt for Wildfire since it will be the week after the LPGA event and should be in good shape.

[az2au]

I'm not sure if they still do it but they used to use holes from both courses for the LPGA event. I assume so because the routing is tough otherwise.

[Argonne69]

Yes, the LPGA Founders Cup still uses the back nine of the Palmer and Faldo courses. They finish on Faldo.

I thought Dove Valley was decent for under $100. Wildfire is almost double the price. McDowell Mountain isn't bad.

Are you flying out of Sky Harbor after the final round? If so, I'd play Aguila.

[jschwech]

Thanks. Not sure why I never considered McDowell Mountain for a reasonably priced option. I think years ago it had the reputation for having terrible service/conditions. Sounds like it has improved significantly over the last several years. Will also consider Aguila. Thanks!!