May 2011 Quick Trip Report - Vista Verde, Saguaro and Supoerstitiojn Mtn

sabram · May 16, 2011

Thanks to those of you who provided advice to help me choose my third course. I ended up playing the Prospector course at Superstition Mountain. I squeezed in three rounds around a business conference I was attending at Kierland. I skipped the round at Kierland that was part of the conference to play two of my favorite courses, Saguaro at We-Ko-Pa and Vista Verde. As always they did not disappoint. These are must play courses and Vista Verde is a great bargain ($60 on Golf Now). At VV we were the first ones out (6:30 am) and zipped around the course. It was in perfect shape except that it played soft because it had just been watered (a lot). Still no club house, but I don't care about that. The course has a great mix of long and short holes. There are several holes that have washes/natural areas that cross the fairways that influence club selection for long hitters. It is a course you'll enjoy even more each time you play it.

Saguaro is like an old friend, but it didn't treat me right this time as my driver wouldn't go straight, so even with the wide fairways I was able to find the desert on a few holes. I was also attacked by a jumping cactus while looking for a ball and had what looked like a big pickle with thorns attached to my ankle...Ouch. Saw Coyotes and Roadrunners, but no Acme gear. Beep Beep. Also noticed that a few large sgauaro cactuses had died since my last round here.

After the conference we drove out to Superstition Mtn for a pm round that was a great deal ($50 on Golf Now.). We had the course to ourselves. The closest group to us teed off about 45 minutes before us and we didn't see them until the 17th hole. I enjoyed the round, but the course is not in the same league as WKP or VV. The views of the mountains are awesome though. The course is impeccably manicured if that is important to you. Even the desert is smoothed out and planted here. I liked the course but prefer the neighboring Dinosaur Mountain and would play that again if I was driving this far East of town.

Here are links to my photos:

Vista Verde

Superstition Mtn - Prospector

We-Ko-Pa - Saguaro (New pix and old pix together.)

puttnforthe8 · May 16, 2011

Good trip there! I agree with your assessment of Prospector......I actually prefer the Lost Gold course over the Prospector. IMO it is a better all around course and is closer to the VV and Wekopa.

One_Putt_Blunder · May 16, 2011

Good stuff I haven't been out to vista this year, I am going to make a point to get out there this week.

teejaywhy · May 16, 2011

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1305541188' post='3237605']

After the conference we drove out to Superstition Mtn for a pm round that was a great deal ($50 on Golf Now.). We had the course to ourselves. The closest group to us teed off about 45 minutes before us and we didn't see them until the 17th hole. I enjoyed the round, but the course is not in the same league as WKP or VV. The views of the mountains are awesome though. The course is impeccably manicured if that is important to you. Even the desert is smoothed out and planted here. I liked the course but prefer the neighboring Dinosaur Mountain and would play that again if I was driving this far East of town.

[/quote]

I've played the Prospector only once. A very nice course and certainly worth a play especially at $50. A nice club with great amenities, clubhouse and practice facilities. Great conditioning as well. But the course itself didn't really spark anything with me. I didn't feel any connection with the property and despite the imposing presence of the Superstition mountains, it ultimately was just another real estate course.

I would like to check out the Lost Gold course this summer.