Phoenix (area) Trip Report

jamesons · April 12, 2009

I just returned from a week in Scottsdale. Played 7 rounds in 6 days. I am really thrilled to be back in cold NJ....NOT!

Sunday - Eagle Mountain -- I haven't played it in years and forgot how tight it is. The greens weren't great. Little bare and didn't roll at all. 18 is always a fun driving hole!

Monday - Raven at Verrado -- I really enjoy this course. This was my 3rd or 4th time playing it. It is a little bit of a drive, but well worth it IMO. The course was in really good condition...as usual. From the drive in to the staff to the course it's A+.

Tuesday - Grayhawk Raptor -- Always a fun challenge. The course was in really good condition. The greens were rolling nicely...probably about 10.5 or so and always true.

Wednesday - We-Ko-Pa -- Played both courses. I have played the original Cholla course about 5 or 6 times and always rank in my top 3 (public play) in the area. I played the new Saguaro course for the first time and thought it was great. The layout is definitely set up for walking (I didn't walk). The course is different than the Cholla and I think it could be a little harder, but maybe because it was my 1st tour. Both courses were in great condition and the greens on both courses were rolling nicely.

Thursday - Boulders South -- WOW! My first time playing either course and was really impressed. Not the longest course, but certainly tight. If yo have a good tee ball you'll be fine. If you spray your tee ball you are in for a long day. It is only 6,700 from the back. The greens were the fastest of all the courses I played. They were not the greatest, but the fastest. This quickly became a must play for me for my annual trip.

Friday - Legend Trail -- Disappointing. I have played it 4-5 times and this was the worst experience. There were maybe 4 blades of grass on the range. It was literally all dirt/sand. The course was not in good condition. For whatever reason it was really wet and it hadn't rained. There were puddles near the drainage and sprinkler heads and the greens were not in good condition. Our entire group (6 people) all agreed that the course is a nice layout, but the condition this year was well below par. Not a good showing for Legend Trail

Overall, I can't complain. Great courses and great weather. Now I wait for the warm weather to reach NJ so the real season can begin.

-JS

golfortennis · April 13, 2009

I'm torn between being terrified and impressed you got that close to a rattler.... who moved away first?

jamesons · April 13, 2009

I'm torn between being terrified and impressed you got that close to a rattler.... who moved away first?

We've been going to Phoenix area for 14 years and never saw a rattlesnake. I know that is hard to believe for some people. We tee'd off and started down the path and ran into this guy. My father decided to take some quick video and couldn't figure out if he was focused properly as the snake started to slowly head straight for us. It came right up to the front front of the cart about 2ft away then slowly went off into the desert. Don't ask me why but my father never moved. Yeah, STUPID. We saw a much bigger one 3 holes later leaving the greenside bunker. It was about 3 to 3 1/2ft. It was pretty cool....for a NJ guy who never saw one before. I definitely moved first!

-JS

SPY ZINGER · April 13, 2009

Nice write up and pics...WeKoPa is my favorite course in the valley.

teejaywhy · April 14, 2009

Indeed, thanks for the write up.

Raven @ Verrado and We-Ko-Pa Saguaro are two of my favorite courses in the Phoenix area. Next visit, be sure to check out Vista Verde.

Gruene · May 3, 2009

Played talking stick north last weekend. It was in GREAT shape from tee to green.

berthman · May 18, 2009

I played the North course yesterday, Wonderful course. It was my first scored round in 7 or 8 years, I shot 112 and loved every minute of it!!

teejaywhy · May 18, 2009

Played talking stick north last weekend. It was in GREAT shape from tee to green.

I played the North course yesterday, Wonderful course. It was my first scored round in 7 or 8 years, I shot 112 and loved every minute of it!!

Talking Stick North is indeed a great course and a tribute to the imagination of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw as to what can be created on a totally flat and basically uninteresting site without a lot of bulldozer work.