Phoenix and Tucson Trip

[txeconomist]

Need Suggestions

I am planning a golf trip and wanted to get some feedback and advice. I am flying to Phoenix / Scottsdale in late May on a Monday and then will drive to Tucson on Thursday and then play there all weekend. Don’t really care how much it costs, but cheaper is better than more expensive…

This is my schedule thus far:

Monday: Afternoon round somewhere: Raven Phoenix, Greyhawk Raptor, Quentero, Boulders? I will probably stay in Scottsdale that night at some place cheap like a Holliday Inn Express, La Quinta, etc… Id rather the course be in the Scottsdale area but I looked at the Quintero website and it looked pretty awesome. I read that it wasn’t in that great of shape though (is that right???).

Tuesday: Wekopa (36 holes) and staying someplace cheap like a Holliday Inn Express, La Quinta, etc…

Wednesday: Stay at a resort and play 36 holes. I am thinking Four Seasons and playing both Troon North courses. Are both of these worth it? Would I be better off playing something else than both of these? Is the Boulders or some other resort type place better? I don’t really care for staying at a nice place but I have to keep the wife happy, she is being a pretty good sport about me having a golf vacation.

Thursday-Sun: Drive to Tucson to meet up with some friends and stay at the Ritz Carlton and play Dove Mountain. Are there some other MUST plays in Tucson? We got a pretty great deal here and the course is supposed to be awesome but 3-6 rounds on the same course might get dull.

What do you all think? Suggestions for Monday, what resort to stay at on Wed and perhaps places in Tucson to play would be great. I am not that interested in playing a course if it isn’t in great shape. Any suggestions for good places to eat in both cities?

Thanks!

[crew_138]

Well, for Tucson... there's Ventana Canyon... it is very nice and usually as immaculate as dove for conditions. Vistoso is pretty good. Starr Pass is hard... well most desert golf is so, good luck. Sounds like a good outing. In the Phoenix area, which I haven't played much.... I personally love Southern Dunes... would play there again in a heartbeat. The layout is great and they have a nice little clubhouse with good food.

[sabram]

[url="http://golfcourses.weebly.com/phoenix-az.html"]Best Phoenix Courses[/url]

[jastac]

+1 on ventana canyon, played both courses back in feb and they were in immaculate condition. Keep in mind they only open each course to the public very other day. They reserve one course for members every day. If you only play one there choose the mountin course. Take a look at golfnow.com for great deals here and on all Tucson courses.

[jgonz69]

Starr Pass

[ATXHorn]

Played Talking Stick North, Ocotillo Gold/White and Whirlwind Devils Claw. I would rank them:

1. TS North: great shape all around. Played toughest with strong winds. Wide open, great service from staff. Would play again.
2. Devils Claw: Fun course. ok staff. Greens were very slow. great practice facility. Would play again.
3. "O": Greens were in great shape as to speed. Did not care for houses on the course, mud or bugs. Seemed water was a bit out of place in certain holes.

I would consider all 3 resort style, IMO the clubhouse does not stand out at any.

On my list next will be; Las Sendas and WKP.

[XFelon]

Phoenix -

Raven Golf Club
Ocotillo
Troon North
Whirlwind
Quentero (Someone just posted last week that its in great shape)



Tucson-

I agree with what was mentioned before on Tucson - Starr Pass is in great shape. Ventana Canyon I only hear great things about. I just played Quarry Pines Yesterday... That place is pretty good. Its right off the 10. Great condition. The only thing I disliked about it was that the greens were a little slow for my liking.. With that said - I paid 40 bucks to play (9am) there yesterday and I would play it again for sure.

[LDinAZ]

Quintero is a long way away from Scottsdale - at least an hour drive. There are plenty of great facilities much closer. Rather than two rounds at Troon, play their Monument course and then head over to Grayhawk Raptor, it's about 15 minutes down the road. Legend Trail is close to Troon and also a great facility.

Ventana Canyon is also a great bet in Tucson as is Starr Pass.

[txeconomist]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I made some tee times early this week; this is what I have booked.

Monday: Still need to book something (probably Grayhawk Raptor)
Tuesday: 36 at Wekopa
Wednesday: 36 at Troon North

Only have Dove Mountain in Tucson and given that the guy Im playing with doesnt want to pay for another course there...I might only get to play there in Tucson.

[JLTD63]

If you can convice your buddy to leave Dove Mountain for a round or two I'd echo most other guys in suggesting Ventana Canyon, really fun course in PERFECT condition. As a "don't play", Arizona National. No grass out there, it's burned up and it's not even summer.

[Reidman]

[quote name='JLTD63' timestamp='1335970595' post='4831646']
If you can convice your buddy to leave Dove Mountain for a round or two I'd echo most other guys in suggesting Ventana Canyon, really fun course in PERFECT condition. As a "don't play", Arizona National. No grass out there, it's burned up and it's not even summer.
[/quote]

+1 on Ventana Canyon. Played there this past spring break with my son....highlight of the trip. Tucson National (Sonoran) was a close second.

[teejaywhy]

While I have not played it, the Mountain Course at Ventana is generally well regarded. I have played the Canyon Course however, and cannot recommend it. It consists of a bunch of randomly located holes connected by long golf cart rides through residential neighborhoods and occasionally retracing the length of holes previously played. There are a few good holes but for the most part, it seems to be a golf course forced into the leftover properties where it was not possible to build houses. Lots of ohh and ahh views, but crappy golf IMO.

[MisterT]

[quote name='Reidman' timestamp='1335972257' post='4831858']
+1 on Ventana Canyon. Played there this past spring break with my son....highlight of the trip. Tucson National (Sonoran) was a close second.
[/quote]
I'd agree on these two (Ventana Mountain Course and Tucson National) as well.

I also liked Vistoso, am indifferent on Starr Pass (I enjoyed it better as the TPC than after the makeover from Arnold Palmer), and plan to play the La Paloma resort's Jack Nicklaus course when I am there in July for a reunion.