The Summer Hit List

[teejaywhy]

Still have a long list of "not played" and hoping to check a few off this summer while the rates are cheap.

 

Boulders - N and S

Quintero

Superstition Mtn Lost Gold

Anthem - both

Talking Rock (Prescott)

Seven Canyons (Sedona)

Laughlin Ranch

Moon Valley

 

And a few places I haven't seen for years that I would like to revisit:

Troon North - Have not played the courses in the new configurations

Los Caballeros (Wickenburg)

Wigwam Red

...

[fore_life]

I haven't played any but 7 canyons, and I need to add verrado onto that list as well

I wonder if a Los caballeros/ Quintero day trip is possible?

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1336057438' post='4839472']
I haven't played any but 7 canyons, and I need to add verrado onto that list as well

I wonder if a Los caballeros/ Quintero day trip is possible?
[/quote]

Def possible...Los Cab is not that far from Quintero....you just need to leave early and get to Los Cab, then hit Quintero on the way back.

[natural_one]

Mmmmm Quintero. Played 36 there on Monday. One of my favorites here in AZ. Its in such great shape right now.

Hoping to play Anthem and Seven Canyon this summer. Haven't played Talking Rock either...

good list!

[jdotconnor]

heard some interesting stuff about Apache Stronghold making a slow comeback after falling apart and being abandoned for a while a few years ago. Was thinking of making the LONG drive (past Globe) and giving it another chance since last plaing it in about 2002.

[natural_one]

[quote name='jdotconnor' timestamp='1337926441' post='4975092']
heard some interesting stuff about Apache Stronghold making a slow comeback after falling apart and being abandoned for a while a few years ago. Was thinking of making the LONG drive (past Globe) and giving it another chance since last plaing it in about 2002.
[/quote]

Hmm, I hadn't heard it was coming back. Good for them, fun course.

The last I played there was in 2002 for the state championship for high school.

[jdotconnor]

apparently when they were opened and what caused their demise was bad drainage and the fact they used Bluegrass for some reason. They redid the drainage and planted Bermuda.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='jdotconnor' timestamp='1338047244' post='4981248']
apparently when they were opened and what caused their demise was bad drainage and the fact they used Bluegrass for some reason. They redid the drainage and planted Bermuda.
[/quote]

APACHE STRONGHOLD

The demise is 100% the result of neglect by the tribal leadership.

The transition to Bermuda was done within a three or four year period of opening (1999). The first few times I played there ~ 2007, the Bermuda was well established and the course was in good shape. Each subsequent visit was met with increasing decline, and puzzling maintenance practices, a clear picture that there was no qualified golf course superintendent on staff and that the Apaches had no interest in the golf course. They actually closed the course for about 6 months in 2010. Reports from visits since that time tell a sad story. Lost greens, overgrown bunkers...

Rumor has it that changes to the leadership have resulted in a renewed interest in the course. I understand they have hired a GM and he is working to recover and improve conditions. Until they hire a real superintendent, I'm skeptical of their commitment.

A lot of it is truly economic. Globe is just a bit far for a day trip, and lacks the draw as a destination for a several day visit. The casino and hotel are dismal. As well, it is colder than Phoenix in the winter, and not that much cooler in the summer.

A crying shame. The course could be the best in the state. It's superbly interesting design is far ahead of anything else in Arizona.

That said, I'm up for a investigative field trip. I would warn anyone who is the least bit squeamish about conditioning, forget about it. On the other hand, those with an interest in golf course design may find delight amid disappointment. On the other hand, perhaps we will see some positive signs of a turnaround?

Who's up for a road trip to Globe?

[Skydiver22]

I'm down for a road trip....

[moxie]

Did anyone ever make it out there?

I have wanted to play the course, I hope the tribal leadership is serious about a turn around.
Though I am not surprised about the lack of interest in the past. The San Carlos reservation is a pretty rough place economically.

My fiancee has some family out there, and I don't think Golf is high on their agenda unfortunately.

[ALIF]

I played there w/ my brother in law about 3 weeks ago. Last time I had played was Jan 2006. Yea, the conditioning sucks but it is playable. We actually had a really great time. We played from the tips (7500) on a REALLY windy day. On one par 4 (460 yds) I nutted a drive and a 3 wood and was still 30 yds short of the green. Then on a really downhill and downwind par 5 (613 yds) I was just over the green in 2 with a driver and a 5 wood. The design is second to none. Yea, the condition is pitiful but playable. I will go out there again. BTW, its about 10 degrees cooler out there as compared to Phoenix. Also, not real crowded either. If it was is good shape it would easily rate as my favorite course.


edited for spelling

[natural_one]

[quote name='chiva' timestamp='1340148003' post='5131482']
I played there w/ my brother in law about 3 weeks ago. Last time I had played was Jan 2006. Yea, the conditioning sucks but it is playable. We actually had a really great time. We played from the tips (7500) on a REALLY windy day. On one par 4 (460 yds) I nutted a drive and a 3 wood and was still 30 yds short of the green. Then on a really downhill and downwind par 5 (613 yds) I was just over the green in 2 with a driver and a 5 wood. The design is second to none. Yea, the condition is pitiful but playable. I will go out there again. BTW, its about 10 degrees cooler out there as compared to Phoenix. Also, not real crowded either. If it was is good shape it would easily rate as my favorite course.


edited for spelling
[/quote]


How much did you pay?
How long for 18holes?

Thanks!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Hopefully I can make it back in time to still get in on the summer rates. How has everyone been? How are the courses looking this summer? Its good to see some new users in the SW section looking forward to putting together another outing.

[jzona]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1340368842' post='5147964']
Hopefully I can make it back in time to still get in on the summer rates. How has everyone been? How are the courses looking this summer? Its good to see some new users in the SW section looking forward to putting together another outing.
[/quote]

MATT

How is it going, did you have the hips done? If so hope all is well and it was a succuss....

Lets try and get a weekend up at Antelope Hills in Prescott, sure all the SW section people are about ready for a road trip outta town by now. Might want to look into renting a place at Talking Rock/Prescott if available?

ANY INTEREST? if so start a new thread, we can get some dates and names together and i will take the ball and organize it

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Left hip was successful and done 6/19, first day of physical therapy was today. I have a lot of strength and flexibility to build back up, but so far everything has gone great. The right hip is being done 7/24 and as of right now I think the earliest I will be back on the course is late september early october and that might be pushing it.

I would prefer to stay local for my first few rounds just to make sure everything is ok, but as I continue to progress I will start to have a better idea for everything.