Arizona 2009

[Skeeter20]

Heading down in March from Seattle to visit family and of course, play golf for a week. Before we head to the relatives in the Mesa area, I would like to find a place to stay for two nights for my wife and I. Golf and relaxing is in the forecast, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[uttexas]

I go to Arizona once a year (my best friend from medical school lives in Fountain Hills)

I stay with his family, so can't make recs on places to stay. There is a Casino just north of Fountain Hills on a reservation. It is close to some great golf courses that are off the beaten PHX golf course trail (the temps are also significantly cooler up there in them there hills)

Places to play golf
We-Ko-Pa great courses there, no houses.
Eagle Mountain great closing three holes.

There is a Tom Lehman design course community up there, haven't played it, but heard very good things.

Mesa has the Gold Canyon Courses. Very difficult greens. Immaculate courses.

[raygrinberg]

Heading down in March from Seattle to visit family and of course, play golf for a week. Before we head to the relatives in the Mesa area, I would like to find a place to stay for two nights for my wife and I. Golf and relaxing is in the forecast, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

If money is no object. Go to the Boulders in N. Scottsdale. 2 great courses, a top spa and a great service.

[Kcas77]

I go to Arizona once a year (my best friend from medical school lives in Fountain Hills)

I second Eagle moutain i loved this course and we-ko-pa looked nice also. Try Troon North's monument course a true desert golf experience, and Grayhawk talon

[anthonykim3]

sedona golf course it is suposed to be beautiful

[sfleming]

I just got back from Phx/Scottsdale.
I've been there a few times, but my favorites continue to be
Sun Ridge Canyon
Grayhawk - Raptor

I'll second the Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon. Stunning, but the greens are brutal.

This time we went to Sanctuary out there in Fountain Hills just for a little cheaper alternative. Nice place that I really want to get another crack at soon given some the blind tee shots.

-Steve

[Skeeter20]

Boiling down to Boulders or Gold Canyon for the 2-night side trip with the wife.

[uttexas]

Side note. Call both courses and ask about any possible reseeding. PHX area reseeds in the Spring sometime. You want to play either 3 weeks after reseed or 3 weeks before. They will close courses for a week or two for reseeding. Be sure to check on this by calling the clubhouses. Make sure you speak to someone that knows what they are talking about.

[tjy355]

Boiling down to Boulders or Gold Canyon for the 2-night side trip with the wife.

If those are the choices, then the Boulders hands down. Better resort and better golf. Top notch. Gold Canyon is nice but not in the same class as the Boulders.

[tjy355]

Side note. Call both courses and ask about any possible reseeding. PHX area reseeds in the Spring sometime. You want to play either 3 weeks after reseed or 3 weeks before. They will close courses for a week or two for reseeding. Be sure to check on this by calling the clubhouses. Make sure you speak to someone that knows what they are talking about.

Actually, overseeding occurs in the FALL.

For the March timeframe, you should be looking at prime winter conditions on overseeded rye playing surfaces. Nonetheless, it never hurts to check with the golf shop for any maintenance conditions, especially given the $$ you will be paying.

[uttexas]

You are correct, they reseed October/November--Been burned on this before. Really wanted to play We-Ko-Pa when it first opened. They reseeded when I was in town. They now have two courses, and don't close them at the same time for reseed.

New Mexico courses reseed sometime in the Spring (If I remember correctly)

[uttexas]

If those are the choices, then the Boulders hands down. Better resort and better golf. Top notch. Gold Canyon is nice but not in the same class as the Boulders.

Agree, the golf courses at Boulders are slightly better. The resort (what matters to our better halves) is significantly better at Boulders.

If the prices are equal, definitely go with the Boulders. Gold Canyon is fantastic. Personally, I prefer courses that are off the beaten path. Due to it's location and lower profile, Gold Canyon gets far less foot/cart traffic.

[Skeeter20]

Thanks, tj, that is exactly the response and reassurance I was looking for.

[antney79]

I am going ot AZ next week and looks like we are playing the followin courses, any comments on these?

1- Golf Club at Estrella (great price, $109 for unlimited golf, lunch and a dozren box of ProV for each player.

2- Trilogy Golf Club

[Skeeter20]

The Estrella deal looks smokin to me!

I will be playing Boulders, 500 club, We-ko-pa, and TPC Scottsdale, just so I can say that I did.

[tjy355]

I am going ot AZ next week and looks like we are playing the followin courses, any comments on these?

A couple of fun and interesting courses. I assume that the Trilogy is the Trilogy at Vistancia (there is another Trilogy in Gilbert). Trilogy at Vistancia uses a lot of "native" grasses along the perimeters of the playing areas that give a very nice look, but EAT BALLs. Hopefully, you play Estrella first cause then you will have an extra dozen balls to donate. LOL Enjoy!

[antney79]

Your right, it is Vistancia. I am excited, have never golfed in AZ.

[uttexas]

Great trip and great choices. I'll be flying into PHX this Wednesday. Then driving to Sunrise for three days of snowboarding/skiing. Wish we would be getting some fresh powder, but probably not this year.