Arizona Island Greens

[teejaywhy]

On our way down to the Ritz GC at Dove Mountain, Blake and I were discussing his disappointment regarding the demise of the island green on the former par 4 18th hole at the Arizona Grand Golf Club. That hole has changed about as often as the name of the golf course.

 

Those that know me probably know of my disdain for the island green hole. But to help Blake overcome his sorrow, I have put together a list of all the other known island greens in the Phoenix area. If I have missed any, please add to the list.

 

Other par 4's In addition to the aforementioned and no-longer-existent par-4 18th at Arizona Grande / Phantom Horse / Pointe at South Mountain (whatever it's called this week)

 

- The 500 Club - #4 (a recent addition to the course as I understand it)

- McCormick Ranch GC Pine course - #15

 

Of course, everyone knows about:

 

- TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course - 15th (Par 5).

 

The island green is more typically found on par 3's. Here is a list of the ones I know of:

 

- Grayhawk GC Talon Course - #17 (Scottsdale)

- Seville Golf & Country Club - #17 (Gilbert)

- Poston Butte - #17 (Bumfu*k)

- Apache Creek - #6 (Apache Junction)

- Wigwam Blue Course - #15 (Goodyear)

- Lone Tree Golf Course - #12 (Gilbert)

- Tubac Golf Resort Anza Course - #9 (Tubac)

- Ocotillo Golf Resort, White Course - #3 (Chandler)

 

Any others?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Im shocked that with all the water at Ocotillo they don't have one. I like Seville good, but not great course with that dumb island green

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Mcormick has one par 4 though

[TheMackDaddy]

Tubac golf and country club hole #9 on the anza 9

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1312420747' post='3449591']
Mcormick has one par 4 though
[/quote]

You are correct! Forgot that one. Reminds me why I especially dislike the island green on a par 4.

McCormick Ranch should also get an honorable mention for the island fairway on the 9th of the Palm course.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Mack17' timestamp='1312420826' post='3449597']
Tubac golf and country club hole #9 on the anza 9
[/quote]

Thank you sir. I was unaware of this new nine, added by Ken Kavanaugh in 2006. He is one of my favorite architects but now on my sh*t list.

The original 18 holes were designed by Robert "Red" Lawrence in 1960. Red is well known for Desert Forest and the UNM championship course. A bit of trivia - Tubac was the location for the filming of some of the scenes for the 1996 movie "Tin Cup."

[TheMackDaddy]

Yeah that's one of the reasons i went to play it. I LOVE this course. It's one of my favorites. [quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1312425878' post='3450027']
[quote name='Mack17' timestamp='1312420826' post='3449597']
Tubac golf and country club hole #9 on the anza 9
[/quote]

Thank you sir. I was unaware of this new nine, added by Ken Kavanaugh in 2006. He is one of my favorite architects but now on my sh*t list.

The original 18 holes were designed by Robert "Red" Lawrence in 1960. Red is well known for Desert Forest and the UNM championship course. A bit of trivia - Tubac was the location for the filming of some of the scenes for the 1996 movie "Tin Cup."
[/quote]

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Mack17' timestamp='1312428499' post='3450080']
Yeah that's one of the reasons i went to play it. I LOVE this course. It's one of my favorites.
[/quote]

Red Lawrence, Tin Cup or the island green ?

[TheMackDaddy]

Tin cup!

[silentcmh]

18th at Pointe Lookout Mountain, Par 5

[jrich99]

500 club #4 is a weird hole now. Not sure I love the change. I think it happened 2 summers ago.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='silentcmh' timestamp='1312499140' post='3452594']
18th at Pointe Lookout Mountain, Par 5
[/quote]


It is close but not a true island green. I actually like that one, because it is a reachable par 5 that makes you think risk vs reward.

[fore_life]

17 @ superstition springs?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1313433987' post='3488558']
17 @ superstition springs?
[/quote]

Surrounded on three sides for sure, but not purely an "island" as there is a small neck in the front allowing a run up shot.

Any others?

Bueller?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1312418856' post='3449467']
Im shocked that with all the water at Ocotillo they don't have one.
[/quote]

Turns out your gut feel was correct! How could I forget the Ted Robinson masterpiece? White course - hole #3. Happened to be looking at the course with Google Earth and there it was. Added to the list in post #1.

[teejaywhy]

Bump for our new readers!

[AzSuperHack76]

#15 at Granite Falls South Course in Sun City Grand, par 4 island green.

[Thrillhouse]

That stupid frigging 176 yard par three at lone tree.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Thrillhouse' timestamp='1354824627' post='6028455']
That stupid frigging 176 yard par three at lone tree.
[/quote]

LOL, stupid indeed. 181 on the card from the back tees, 150 from the next ups (6500 yard tees).

Interesting that the original (well, not the original, but the most iconic), #17 at TPC Sawgrass is what, 130 yds from the very back?

Imitations are never very good but bad imitations, oy vey...