Copper Canyon in Far NW Valley

[angry scotsman]

Played Copper Canyon in the Sun City Festival development...just north of the White Tanks and about 10-15 minutes out of Surprise. Nice course that is close to par with the Raven at Verrado. Same amenities and super nice staff...very accurate putting green for course comparison (reportedly 12 on the meter...they were quite fast, but true)...Not nearly the elevation changes as Verrado, but plenty of challenge for a long driver (fairway bunkers are located right in the sweet spot)...Greens were hard to hold without good spin, but fairways allowed plenty of carry. Very quiet course. Only real gripe is that it is a house course lined with single story homes...however, unlike many retiree area courses, these folks seemed to enjoy seeing golf balls land in thier yard occasionally and even pointed my partner's ball out as he tried to find it.

 

I generally stay away from Sun City courses north of Bell Rd due to short length (this plays to 6800 from tips) and rarely punished slow play, but neither held true in this case...rate was ~$55 with a sleeve of Warbirds thrown in for each golfer. Likely to make this my home course.

[teejaywhy]

Thanks for the write up.

 

I have Copper Canyon on my list of "want to plays." I know it is a Schmidt & Curley design, and I like their work at Southern Dunes and the Faldo course at Wildfire. It is however, literally the furthest course in "the valley" from my home (Gilbert) and although this doesn't stop me from visiting new courses, I just haven't been able to get out there yet.

 

Unfortunate fact that most golf course development these days is real estate driven. Some are better conceived than others, the Raven at Verrado for example with VERY generous playing corridors, the housing is not at all intrusive. Others are not fun at all.

 

Living on the east side, I don't get out there often, but the courses at Sun City Grand are fun and playable. Cimmaron, Desert Springs & Granite Falls, all Greg Nash layouts with 6700-6800 length from the tips.

[sfiggins]

CC is an excellent course, though it was fairly slow on the day I played. I was told that's the typical pace of play. It's also managed by Troon.

On a side note, the developer Del Webb had some patio homes available for 3 day (max) rentals at about $70 per day. If I were coming from out of town and intended to play CC, the Raven at Verado, and another west side course I would consider that deal.