AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - Winter 2022- Holiday Guide

CHANGE OF COURSE

Golf in Tucson means a break from the average links. Challenge your game on daring desert layouts or hit it long on fairways that host the champions. Whatever your style, Tucson has it in the bag.

FIND YOUR COURSE AT VisitTucson.org/Golf

Home of the

Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol

by

Irecently read an article that stated a few years ago, Ari zona’s winter visitor population numbered one million. Wow, I thought: A million people annu ally escape harsh winter climates for extended stays in the sun shine and serenity of the Grand Canyon State.

Naturally I immediately won dered how many of our one mil lion visiting friends played golf. And how many rounds are en joyed by players whose “home” courses were buried under a foot or more of snow. This com ing season “The State of Golf” is set, by all expert prognosticators, to be historic. So much so, the supply of golf courses will have trouble keeping up with the de mand. Golf’s biggest boom since Tiger’s coming out party in the late 90’s is forecasted to contin ue, and we have a front row seat to not only watch it unfold, but to also join in the fun.

A big chunk of the fun for the AGA will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary next year. Founded in 1923 when rep resentatives of 15 clubs from around the state joined forces at Phoenix Country Club, the Arizona Golf Association will hit January with 98,000 members and more than 600 member clubs. It’s incredible to think of all the twists and turns that have brought us to this point.

Be on the lookout for upcom ing member communications detailing how to join us for these celebrations across the state throughout the upcoming year. In the meantime, around your holiday festivities this year, make sure you raise a glass to

the AGA’s first 100 years as we prepare and look forward to the next 100.

In this annual Holiday Guide edition of the AZ Golf Insider digital magazine, we give many of our partners a chance to engage with AGA Members in unique and creative ways. Many of these partners are featured in email blasts, newsletters and on our website. We thank them for their support and hope you get a few holiday gift ideas by perus ing the following pages – from golf lessons and training tools to books and travel ideas.

2022 has been quite the whirlwind for me, both profes sionally and personally. It has been a blast engaging with such an enthusiastic membership and golf community each and every day. I look forward to more excitement in the new year, and hopefully even more time on the golf course with my own sticks.

We at the AGA wish you all a happy and healthy holiday sea son – and can’t wait to see you on the tee in ‘23!

AZ GOLF Insider Digital Edition

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

PRESIDENT....................................... Bob McNichols

VICE PRESIDENT...................................... Tim Brown

VICE PRESIDENT ............................ Michelle Cross

SECRETARY............................................... John Souza

TREASURER.......................................... Tim Hulscher

GENERAL COUNSEL.............................. Greg Mast

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jackie Bertsch, Vera Ciancola, Barbara Fitzgerald, Bryan Hoops, Jerry Huff, Mark Jeffery, Tori Totlis, Leslie Kramer, Ann Martin, Scott McNevin

AGA STAFF

Joe Foley, David Bataller, Anj Brown, Le Ann Finger, Amy Fruhwirth, Brandon Genson, Sharon Goldstone, Vivian Kelley, Kathy Laux, Mike Mason, Meagan McEnery, Derek McKenzie, Chris Montgomery, Robyn Noll, Logan Rasmussen, Daniel Shoup, Peg Tan ner, Alex Tsakiris, Susan Woods

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT

Chris Montgomery..................... (602) 872-7011

NATIONAL ADVERTISING CONTACT

Brian Foster...................................... (602) 909-7799

THE AZGOLF INSIDER STAFF

EDITOR IN CHIEF............................. David Bataller

AGA EDITOR.............................................. Anj Brown

CONTRIBUTORS

Joe Foley, David Bataller, Anj Brown, Janeen Driscoll, Kelly Grant, Jeff Locke

Arizona Golf Association

Joe7600 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 www.AzGolf.org ISSN 2765-9046

Joe Foley

JUNIOR STARS SHINE NATIONALLY

JGAA stars Alexis Lamadrid (pictured) and Ashley Shaw earn bigtime wins at bigtime events in Texas and California, respectively.

ARIZONA BILTMORE GOLF CLUB RENOVATION

The landmark Phoenix golf destination is in the midst of a multi-phase renovation project aimed at improving the clubhouse facilities and its famed Adobe golf course.

ON THE COVER

The famed Hole 16 Coliseum at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course has achieved legendary status as the loudest hole on the PGA TOUR. The WM Phoenix Open – with its vaunted Stadium Stretch – returns February 9-12, 2023.

RULES OF

New Rule — Modifications for Players with Disabilities

These modifications are now part of the Rules and are in effect for all competitions and all players who fall under the categories covered in new Rule 25.

If your

UPDATED RULES OF

Ball Moved by Natural Forces

The USGA and The R&A have unveiled a regular update to the Rules of Golf as they continue

new Rules will go into effect on

When your ball is at rest after taking relief and then rolls into another area of the course due to natural causes, there is no penalty, and you must replace it.

Simplified Back-onthe-Line Relief

When using this relief option, you are required to drop your ball on the line, and it may roll up to one club-length in any direction.

AGA MEMBER TRIP: TPC DANZANTE BAY

Join the AGA at the Islands of Loreto, Mexico, for a Member Trip to the luxurious Villa del Palmar hotel - oh and of course enjoy a few rounds at TPC Danzante Bay.

LOVETHE INSIGHT

Love the knowledge, the data, the coaching. GOLFTEC Coaches are experts at game improvement. Using advanced motion measurement technology, they will guide you through the insights and provide a clear path to better golf. A path that will also include short game instruction, on-course training and expert club fitting.

Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Midst of Multi-Million Dollar Improvement Project

The landmark Arizona Biltmore Golf Club is in the midst of a multi-phase renovation project aimed at improving the clubhouse facilities and its famed Adobe golf course. Phase one of the clubhouse renovation project began in April and includes a new golf shop and member facilities (located in one building) as well as underground cart storage. The new building is expected to be completed by February 2023. Phase two of the clubhouse renovation is expected to begin this December and will include a new clubhouse and restaurant, replacing the existing event tent and clubhouse, which includes The Adobe Restaurant. Phase two will also bring additional on-site park ing and landscaping improvements.

The significant investment made by the club’s ownership group, JDM Partners, follows consul

tation with neighbors, community stakeholders, the City of Phoenix and industry experts. When the clubhouse project is completed by December 2023, the facilities are expected to complement the recent investments in the Arizona Biltmore Hotel and Wrigley Mansion, bringing the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club on par with these world-class facilities.

“The Arizona Biltmore is a special place, a stunning oasis in the heart of Phoenix,” said JDM Partners Principal Jerry Colangelo. “The exciting improvements being made at the Golf Club will further enhance the community and adjacent resort in a manner consistent with the Arizona Bilt more’s storied history among the top international golf and resort destinations. We appreciate the passion and nostalgia our friends and neighbors

Renowned Property Building New Clubhouse, Adobe Course to be Renovated In 2023

Renderings are conceptual and may be subject to change.

have expressed for this beautiful property and thank them for working with us to build a better Biltmore Golf Club.”

Phoenix-based Douglas Fredrikson Architects designed the new golf shop and clubhouse facil ities in the spirit of a luxurious estate, appropriate in scale and design with its immediate neighbors, with a purpose to enhance the community. The single-story clubhouse and restaurant building will sit on a canvas of grass and colorful landscaping. The noted clubhouse architecture firm also incor porated many notable elements of the Biltmore Resort and community, including the signature concrete Biltmore block and patina copper fascia prominent in the resort’s motif.

The Arizona Biltmore Golf Club’s two golf courses – Adobe and Links – are currently both open for play. The Adobe Course, a William Bell design that originally opened for play in 1929, will undergo an extensive renovation of its own in the summer of 2023. Led by the Lehman Design Group and Scottsdale resident Tom Lehman, the renovation project will infuse modern golf course design and water conservation technology so that golfers can continue to enjoy the course for years to come. During the 2023 renovation, crews will install a new, more efficient irrigation system and

plant new drought tolerant TifTuf Bermudagrass throughout the golf course. In addition, green complexes will be renovated, tee boxes will be refined, and bunkers will be rebuilt incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system. Throughout the renovation, the general routing and par (71) of the golf course will remain the same and the Adobe’s famous parkland setting will be preserved.

For additional information on the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club’s improvement project, visit YourBiltmoreGolf.com

Renderings are conceptual and may be subject to change.

Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones you can’t buy. But these books are pretty darn close.

Local Junior Golfers Go National at Curry Cup and Mack Champ Invitational

by Jeff Locke For the Junior Golf Association of Arizona

Empowering local junior golfers to compete on a national stage represents just one of the many objectives of the JGAA, and it appears to be work ing like a charm! Litchfield Park’s Ashley Shaw, class of 2027 JGAA member, won the inaugural Curry Cup Championship, hosted August 28-30 by Gold en State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. Shaw fired 4-under par at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, with rounds of 70-72-70 to win by two strokes. Coming in fifth place, Alexis Lamadrid of Phoenix fired 67-74-74 to finish four strokes off Shaw’s pace.

“It’s amazing to be the first winner of the Cur ry Cup, with the opportunity to play with all these amazing golfers from around the world,” said Shaw. “And for us to come together in San Francisco at a fabulous golf course to play in the golf tournament: it’s just great.”

The tournament serves as the finale of Curry’s newly launched Underrated Golf Tour, which aims to “increase the participation numbers amongst competitive golfers from diverse communities and have them play hand-in-hand with their peers who currently represent the vast majority in today’s golf ers.”

Mack Champ Invitational

In March 2021, with the same goal in mind and the same JGAA players in contention, the PGA TOUR’s Cameron Champ hosted the inaugural Mack Champ Invitational at Memorial Park Golf Course, home of the Houston Open. Named in honor of Mack Champ, Cameron’s late grandfather, “the tournament focuses on identifying talented diverse players as a way to honor Mack’s legacy.”

This time, it was Lamadrid’s turn, winning the Girls 11-12 division at +7, while one stroke back, Shaw finished in second place. Shaw and Lamadrid

Phoenix’s Alexis Lamadrid won the Girls 11-12 division of the inaugural Mack Champ Invitational at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.

returned to the field in March of 2022, finishing in12th place and T29th place, respectively.

Desert Mashie Spring Championship

For Shaw, Lamadrid and many others, their suc cess on the road began at home. Desert Mashie Golf Club – oldest public golf club in Arizona – has been championing local diversity in the game for generations. In fact, Lamadrid and Shaw were two of six players representing the Desert Mashie at the 2022 Mack Champ Invitational.

Formed by a group of Phoenix-area golf enthu siasts in 1946, the first Desert Mashie Spring Cham pionship teed off in 1981 at Encanto Golf Course and became a JGAA-sanctioned event in 1992.

“The history and growth of the Desert Mashie in terms of players and importance to the local ju nior golf community can’t be overstated,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “These

players delivered a piece of that legacy to the Mack Champ Invitational. We look forward to many years of participation.”

Golf has never been as inclusive – for every one – as it is today, thanks to likeminded organi zations determined to break down barriers. The JGAA is proud to play a role in the diversification of the game by providing events for local junior golf ers to sharpen their skills for national competition through a program designed to “educate, motivate, and inspire Arizona’s future leaders through golf.”

Litchfield Park’s Ashley Shaw (left, above) won the inaugural Curry Cup Championship, hosted by NBA superstar Stephen Curry at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park.

Key Changes to the Rules of Golf Set to Take Effect in 2023

by Janeen Driscoll USGA Director of Brand Communications

The USGA and The R&A have unveiled a regu lar update to the Rules of Golf as they continue to make the Rules easier to understand and apply. The new Rules will go into effect on January 1, 2023.

The 2023 edition continues the modernization process, with an emphasis on both inclusion and sustainability. For the first time, the modified Rules for players with disabilities have been fully incor porated into the playing rules without the need to adopt a local rule. The governing bodies, supported by longstanding partner Rolex, will also promote digital and mobile app access to the Rules while significantly reducing the production and distribu tion of more than 4 million printed books.

Several penalties have been relaxed and lan guage has been clarified to help golfers at all levels.

Key changes include:

• Modifications for Players with Disabilities: The modifications to the Rules for players with dis abilities have been made part of the Rules and are in effect for all players who are classified in the categories covered in Rule 25.

• Handicap Usage in Stroke Play: With the con tinued growth of score-posting technology following the adoption of the World Handicap System™, players are no longer penalized for failing to put their handicap on their scorecard in stroke play. The committee will be responsi ble for ensuring the accuracy of each player’s handicap.

• Club Damaged During Round: The Rule has been amended to allow a player to replace a club that is damaged during a round, provided the player did not damage it through abuse.

• Ball Moved by Natural Forces: A new exception provides that a ball at rest must be replaced if it moves to another area of the course or comes to rest out of bounds after being dropped, placed or replaced.

• Back-on-the-Line Relief Procedure: The back-

on-the-line relief procedure, often used for penalty area and unplayable ball relief, has been simplified so that the player now drops their ball on the line, and the ball must come to rest within one club-length of where it is dropped.

Golfers will be able to learn more about the major changes and review the official 2023 Rules of Golf by visiting usga.org/2023Rules and RandA. org. Full updates to the official Rules of Golf digital applications will be available starting on January 1.

“The growing popularity of golf continues to guide our decision-making, and modernizing the Rules to promote inclusivity and accessibility is clearly a great step in the right direction,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA Chief Governance Officer. “This latest evolution is especially important to the community of golfers with disabilities, and we hope it will encourage more people to play and en joy the game.”

Grant Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, said, “We are continuing to improve and adapt the Rules of Golf to ensure they are in line with the way the modern game is played. That means making the Rules easier to understand and access for all golfers and making the sport more inclusive and welcom ing for golfers with disabilities. We are also working to ensure golf has a sustainable long-term future and making more resources available digitally is key to achieving that goal.”

Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2019) still applies when playing or posting scores for the remainder of 2022.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A’s and the USGA’s efforts to mod ernize golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contri bution to excellence in golf is based on a rich her itage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organizations to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

2023 RULES OF GOLF: 5 KEY CHANGES

When your ball is at rest after taking relief and then rolls into another area of the course due to natural causes, there is no penalty, and you must replace it.

When using this relief option, you are required to drop your ball on the line, and it may roll up to one club-length in any direction.

You are not required to put your handicap on your scorecard and there is no penalty if you return your scorecard in a competition with an incorrect handicap, as this is now the Committee’s responsibility. This change is consistent with other penalty reductions, such as reducing the penalty for playing an incorrectly substituted ball from the general penalty to one stroke.

For more information on the Rules of Golf, please visit usga.org or randa.org

By David Shefter, USGA

Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus has called Pebble Beach Golf Links the greatest meeting of land and sea. Nestled along historic 17-Mile Drive, the venue combines breathtaking vistas of the Monterey Peninsula with some of the game’s most exhilarating golf holes. It’s no wonder why six U.S. Opens have been contested there since Nicklaus claimed the third of his record-tying four titles in 1972 (He also won a U.S. Amateur there in 1961).

Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell and Gary Woodland posted subsequent victories, with Woods registering a remarkable 15-stroke victory in 2000 that kickstarted the Tiger Slam.

But until now, the best female players have never been afforded the opportunity to compete for a major championship at Pebble Beach.

the 1940s, and more recently, young stars have been invited to the Pure Insurance Open, where juniors from the First Tee are paired with a PGA Tour Champions player.

But the U.S. Women’s Open brings a different aura of excitement. Every golfer – male or female – has seen Pebble Beach on television or via photos. The holes are permanently etched in our memory.

Measuring 6,514 yards and playing to a par of 72, Pebble Beach will present the same set of challenges it has for the U.S. Open: windy conditions, small green complexes and intimidating shots. At 3,500 square feet, Pebble Beach’s greens are among the smallest in championship golf. And when the wind blows hard off the Pacific Ocean, hitting those greens becomes more daunting.

The 78th U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica that will take place from July 5-9 changes that narrative. It will be the biggest and most prestigious women’s competition ever staged on the Monterey Peninsula. Now the game’s best female golfers can walk the same path into history as their male counterparts.

It’s part of a recent USGA trend to contest its most visible championships at the finest venues. This is the third time in four years the U.S. Women’s Open will be staged for the first time at a past U.S. Open site, joining Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, (2020) and The Olympic Club, in San Francisco, Calif. (2021).

In future years, the U.S. Women’s Open is headed to Erin Hills (2025), The Riviera Country Club (2026), Inverness Club (2027), Oakmont (2028), Pinehurst (2029), Oakland Hills (2031) and Merion (2034), all of which have previously hosted the U.S. Open.

While this is the first women’s major for Pebble Beach, it was the site of a pair of U.S. Women’s Amateurs in

Just focusing on golf with all the surrounding beauty is another challenge. The second shot on the 394yard, par-4 eighth is a prime example. Nicklaus called it the “finest second shot in golf.”

Then there’s the 107-yard seventh, one of the most aesthetically pleasing yet difficult short holes in golf. Depending on the severity of the wind, it can require everything from a wedge to a 3-iron.

Of course, the two finishing holes – the 175-yard 17th and the 521-yard, par-5 18th – have each witnessed iconic moments. Nicklaus’ tee shot on the 71st hole of the 1972 U.S. Open hit the flagstick and stopped inches from the hole to set up a championshipclinching birdie. Ten years later, Nicklaus’ heart was broken when Watson holed a remarkable pitch shot from nasty greenside rough to seal a two-stroke win, denying the Golden Bear a record fifth title.

Which female will add her name to pantheon of legendary champions at Pebble Beach? On the afternoon of July 9, we’ll get that answer.

U.S. Women’s Open Champion Yuka Saso, (Bottom Right) 2022 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Minjee Lee

With over 22 years in the golf business, Thompson Golf Group continues to leave its mark in Arizona and Minnesota. It’s a family business that started in Alex andria, Minn., when Founding Partners Gary and Barb Thompson built and developed Geneva Golf Club. It then grew into the Arizona market in 2006 with the pur chase of Power Ranch Golf Club (formerly Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch) in Gilbert. In 2015, Thompson added Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club in Cave Creek to the portfolio, followed by Gold Canyon’s Mountain Brook Golf Club in 2018. Thompson’s most recent acquisition in October of 2022 was Longbow Golf Club in Mesa. Ear lier this year Mountain Brook was divested and is now owned by a local, multi-course owner.

In late 2020, Thompson was approached by the Board of Directors of Sunland Springs Village Golf Club and asked for them to manage the property on behalf of the Board and its 400 shareholders. With that, Thomp son Golf Management (TGM) was born.

“TGM has greatly improved our playing conditions, generated significant positive cash flow and has creat ed a strategic capital investment plan that Thompson continues to manage and implement,” said Dave Ander son, President of the Board of Directors at East Mesa’s 27-hole Sunland Springs Village.

“TGM has offered an opportunity for my young and talented management team to strengthen their oper ational muscle and prepare for continued growth and success,” said Ryan Thompson, the company’s CEO and

day-to-day manager who splits his time between Ari zona and Minnesota. “Our growth plan is to grow smart and not necessarily on a set timeline. We do not have outside investors – the family holds the entire company.”

Thompson attributes his success to his young (aver age of 37.5 years old) and committed (average tenure of 10.3 years) management team. “They are young, excit ed, and ambitious,” said Thompson.

Geneva Golf Club is a 27-hole, championship golf course that can stretch from just over 4,900 yards to just under 7,200 yards, with five sets of tees for all experi ence levels. Complete with onsite lodging with the abil ity to sleep up to 24 people, the Condos at Geneva are a great destination for a weekend getaway. The Condos are 100 yards from the clubhouse and less than 50 yards from the first tee! A pure golf experience, and the per fect break from Arizona’s summer heat.

Power Ranch Golf Club is located inside the Trilogy @ Power Ranch active adult community. In 2006, Thomp son purchased the club from Shea homes and has since made significant improvements, including a $1.2 mil lion restaurant renovation. The restaurant, Slate Bistro and Bar, is best known for its prime rib served seven nights a week. Power Ranch is a par 71 that plays 6,932 yards from the tips, and is considered a second shot golf course with wider fairways and undulated greens. In the summer of 2023, Power Ranch will close for approx imately 4 months to install completely new greens and greenside bunkers, a $2+ million project.

Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club was designed by Rob ert Trent Jones, Jr., in 1999. The championship layout is just under 7,100 yards from the back tees and allows the golfer to ease into their round with a more open front nine that tightens as it plays into the denser desert veg etation of Willow Wash. Thompson purchased the club in 2015 and immediately replaced the greens, installing Mini Verde grass to provide excellent putting surfaces.

Longbow Golf Club was acquired in October of 2022 and has a long, storied tradition of junior golf. We are

excited about the addition of Longbow to the portfolio. Located in north Mesa, just off the Red Mountain Park way. The previous owner, Bob McNichols, took much pride in the golf club and has kept it in excellent condi tion; it is a turnkey property for Thompson. The course is a par 71 with yardages from 5,202 to 7,050 from the tips.

For more information on the entire Thompson Golf Group portfolio, to view restaurant hours of op eration and menus, and to book tee times, please visit thompsongolfgroup.com

•

•

•

The Best Rangefinder Of 2022

At MyGolfingStore.com, we have one mission: To make the luxuries of golf affordable.

That’s exactly why we designed the Eagle Eye Range finder.

There are a lot of rangefinder models out there. But we were sick and tired of seeing golfers get ripped off by the big golf companies and overpay hundreds of dollars for their rangefinders.

So we decided to do something about it. We took mat ters into our own hands and created a premium, elite rangefinder.

By cutting out the middleman and avoiding overpriced golf shops, we were able to make significant savings… And pass those savings directly onto YOU, while main taining the highest standards and quality.

The Eagle Eye Rangefinder comes with the latest, cut ting-edge, premium technology you love… Including slope and pin sensor technology… But at a fraction of the price, you’d pay for a brand-name rangefinder.

The Eagle Eye will automatically lock on to the target (even if you have shaky hands)... And it will vibrate when the laser has locked onto the pin, so you can be pinpoint accurate with your irons and wedges, and choose the right club every time.

It measures any distance up and downhill from 5 to 800 yards… And thanks to its accuracy and 6X magnification you’ll always get a distance within 1 yard of the target.

It comes with:

• A Continuous scan function that measures up to 800 yards.

• Slope Technology.

• A premium, ultra-clear lens display with multilayered optics and contin uous measurement mode for fast, convenient measurements.

• Plus a hard premium branded carrying pouch, battery, strap, microfiber cleaning cloth, quick start guide, and lifetime customer support!

Members of the Arizona Golf Association get 25% off the regular discounted price. To claim your discount and get your very own Eagle Eye Rangefinder, just CLICK HERE

HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU SAY

The Sun Rises on Cabo's Solmar Golf Links

Since its March 2020 debut, oceanfront Rancho San Lucas Golf Club in Cobo San Lucas, Mexico has been one of Cabo's most coveted tee times. It will remain so. Greg Norman crafted a rollicking, lay-of-the-land journey characterized by glorious Pacific Ocean vistas, desert accents and a plethora of ground game options. But change is in the air. No, the superb golf course isn't going anywhere. It's the name itself that is evolving: Rancho San Lucas Golf Club is now Solmar Golf Links. The new name aptly describes the layout and the splashy new logo is every bit equal to the golf course. Let's raise the curtain ...on Solmar Golf Links.

Andrew Gilchrist, newly minted last December as Solmar Golf Links' director of golf, is a native Scotsman, who knows his way around seaside golf courses. "You've got the dunes here, the sandy soil and the

ocean breeze," says Gilchrist. "You've got fairways that blend into the natural vegetation. You've got flat-faced, revetted bunkers-the only ones in Mexico -and you've got Seadwarf paspalum turf, which encourages run-up ground game shots. We call this a links-inspired golf course, but in truth, it plays a lot like an authentic links."

Admittedly, there is plenty of modern-desert design in play as well, from the layout's most photographed hole, the 191-yard, island-green, par-3 17th (the only island green in Cobo), to the stately Cardon cacti, its arms thrusting skyward, like its Arizona cousin, the Saguaro. However, the new logo at Solmar Golf Links instantly signifies that we aren't in Scottsdale.

Depicted is a breaching whale, a common occurrence in these parts from December through April, set against the backdrop of a brilliant rising sun. "Sol," which is Spanish for sun and "Mar," Spanish for sea, forms Solmar, the famous hotel name that was the impetus for the project.

The on-site resort, Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, which offers oceanfront beauty, dazzling amenities and superior service is ideal for the classic golf resort experience.

With a new name, a new logo, a newly expanded clubhouse and those unforgettable ocean panoramas, the rebranded Solmar Golf Links is a must-play in Mexico. Go see for yourself. Just look for the breaching whales.

LOS CABOS, MEXICO

Verrado Golf Club

In the shadows of the White Tank Mountains, just a short drive west of Phoenix, lies 36 holes of championship golf designed by PGA Tour star and Ryder Cup Captain, Tom Lehman. Verrado Golf Club includes two thrilling layouts, the Victory Course and Founders Course, and with their breath taking views and natural beauty they will leave you wishing for another chance to visit. Come visit us today!

Victory Course