West

The New College Try

In 2016, Phoenix’s municipal Maryvale Golf Club—a heavily treed 6,600-yard Billy Bell layout from 1961—reopened as the Grand Canyon University Golf Club, a 7,239-yard John Fought design. Some $10 million went into the renovation, with all new bunkers, added elevation change and rebuilt greens, while much of the arboreal maturity remained. A 22,000-square-foot clubhouse replaced the old one, and GCU’s DI golf teams have their own meeting and practice spaces. The City of Phoenix still owns the course, but the university, which covered the costs of improvements, renovations and operations, runs it. Situated on 130 acres less than a mile from the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training home, this parkland gem

Get Wiggy With It

Set on 440 acres in the West Valley, The Wigwam has served as an iconic oasis of casual elegance blended with southwestern charm since opening in 1929. Its three 18-hole courses—the challenging Gold and Blue (both designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.) and the resorty Red (by Red Lawrence)—provide strikingly diverse experiences, none of which are the standard “target golf” fare found throughout the desert. Located near Camelback Ranch, spring home of the White Sox and Dodgers, The Wigwam lies minutes from most Cactus League stadiums. The resort boasts pools, nine tennis courts, a fitness center, bocce court, bicycle rentals and luxury casitas and suites featuring viga-beamed ceilings and welcoming appointments. Litchfield’s and Red Allen’s Bar & Grill top the list of four onsite dining options. wigwamarizona.com

FOUR!

Sure, the seven courses at Sun City West could provide a different game for every day of the week, but there are also four other West Valley courses definitely worth sliding a tee into:

Golf Club of Estrella, Goodyear

A Troon-managed gorgeous, highly rated Nicklaus Design that traverses the Sierra Estrella foothills. estrellagolf.com

Verrado Golf Club, Buckeye

Tom Lehman designed both the Founder’s and Victory courses at the base of the White Tank Mountains. verradogolfclub.com

Quintero Golf Club, Peoria

A formerly private Rees Jones dazzler that makes visual and strategic use of mountain ridges, desert flora, washes and water. quinterogolf.com

Pizza Place

A mecca for the pizza obsessed with an international following, Pizza Bianco’s original location in Downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square belongs on the short list of places to eat before you die. Chris Bianco, the first pizza-maker to win a James Beard Award for the Nation’s Best Chef, also won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2022. pizzeriabianco.com

A Beer Infusion

Located in Litchfield Park, just west of The Wigwam’s 54 holes, Transplant City Brewing has quickly developed a following for its creative nanobeers and friendly taproom. Owners Justin Egbert and Paul Power, both transplants to Arizona, focus on unique and creative ingredients for their small, imaginative batches. tcbcbeer.com

Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, Peoria: Crafted by Colorado State alumnus Gary Panks, the flowing 7,291-yard course threads through an upscale development. mytrilogylife.com/vistancia/golf/