Spring Training 2019 GOLFER’S GUIDE to
Presented by
AbsolutelyScottsdale.com
Your scouting report for THE BEST places to tee off, kick back, chow down and catch some games
HOME RUNS
PHOTOGRAPH BY E.J. CARR. TAKEN AT THE HILTON DENVER INVERNESS
Desert Mountain, Rio Verde and other elite golf enclaves
SCOTTSDALE’S home-field advantage PLUS
East Valley
THE BEST CUBBY HOLES EAST OF THE 101
coloradoavidgolfer.com
West Valley
GLENDALE, GOODYEAR, PEORIA AND BEYOND
65
Tucson
WHERE GOLF AND GASTRONOMY MEET
Spring 2019 | COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
REIMAGINED ALL FOR YOU Welcome to the prestigious Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale — a golf and outdoor club that has been reimagined to provide a lifestyle that rises above the rest. Within our expansive 8,000 acres of pristine Sonoran desert beauty, members enjoy an outdoor playground unlike any other in the world. Jack Nicklaus golf yearround. Technologybased golf instruction, 5star dining for every palate. Tennis on three surfaces. Fitness fit for an athlete. Spa indulgences to pamper the soul. Pickleball, parties, moonlight hikes and mountain biking.
Introducing Seven Desert Mountain™, a new residential golf community opening in Spring 2019
DESERTMOUNTAIN.COM SCOTTSDALE, AZ Membership is by invitation only.
Jim Flick Golf Performance Center
15 miles of trails, and new touchscreen interactive trail guide
MEMBERSHIP@DESERTMOUNTAIN.COM 480-428-1415
Make Seven your Lucky Number.
CULLUM HOMES customizable & smart
CAMELOT HOMES elegant & modern
F A M I LY D E V E L O P M E N T lock and leave & luxury
You’ll feel like the luckiest person around at Seven Desert Mountain™. Opening in early 2019, our exclusive, luxury residential golf community features a Par 54 course, luxury homes constructed by three distinct builders, and a unique gastropub clubhouse. Plus, residents also enjoy Desert Mountain’s exclusive services and amenities. Discover how every day can feel like a stroke of luck at Seven Desert Mountain.
TO LEARN ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN CALL (480) 428-1415.
SEVENDESERTMOUNTAIN.COM
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Images are conceptual only and are for the convenience of reference. They should not be relied upon as representations, express or implied, of the final detail of the community/homes. The Developer expressly reserves the right to make modifications, revisions and changes it deems desirable in its sole and absolute discretion.
Special Advertising Section
SPRING TRAINING // CENTRAL VALLEY // Scottsdale
The 750-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features the 36-hole TPC Scottsdale and a 9,000-square-foot white sand beach.
Isabella’s Kitchen, one of Grayhawk Golf Club’s three restaurants with a patio.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
Where the Pitchers Play
Thirty minutes south of Sky Harbor, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club covers all the bases with golfers. Kyle Freeland, the Rockies’ best starting pitcher last season, is also the team’s best golfer (see our cover story in the April, 2018 issue). Other courses are more convenient to Salt River Fields, but Freeland and his teammates often head to Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa. Ranked by Golf magazine as the No. 84 Best Course You Can Play in the United States, this 5,055-to7,546-yard Curley/Schmidt/Couples layout can accommodate rookies and all-stars. Ak-Chin will host a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier May 8 and the World Long-Drive “Smash in the Sun” April 12-16. akchinsoutherndunes.com COLORADO AVIDGOLFER | Spring 2019
Five teams, including our Colorado Rockies, play their home games in Arizona’s Central Valley. That’s one-fifth of the Cactus League. The populous and popular cultural hub abounds in golf courses, golf resorts and golf communities.
1
Grayhawk Golf Club turns 25 this year. Its Talon and Raptor Courses have hosted PGA TOUR events, and, from 2020 to 2022, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Championships. Quill Creek Cafe, Isabella’s Kitchen and Phil’s Grill all rate high for dining. experiencescottsdale. com
1
2
With the Rockies playing home games at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, lodging and golf doesn’t get more convenient than nearby Talking Stick Resort and the 36 CooreCrenshaw-designed holes at the adjoining Talking Stick Golf Club. experiencescottsdale.com LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com/cactus-league for a full map of Cactus League stadiums, including the mileage between them and a list of nearby golf courses.
68
2 coloradoavidgolfer.com
Special Advertising Section
SPRING TRAINING // CENTRAL VALLEY // Scottsdale
Find your true north at Troon North, the 36-hole centerpiece of Troon Golf’s dailyfee properties.
Old Town Scottsdale’s famous Bronze Horse Fountain on 5th Ave. turns 30 this year.
Desert Mountain
A Mountain of Fun
Adding a new 18-hole par-3 course to its portfolio of six Jack Nicklaus Signature layouts confirms Desert Mountain’s status as the region’s ultimate private golf community. 1
TUCKED INTO the rolling hills and dramatic scenery of north Scottsdale, Desert Mountain’s 8,000 acres encompass 35 “villages” containing a stunning range of homesites, homes, activities and amenities—including a spa, miles of on-property trails and Tennis Complex with the only stadium grass court in Arizona (as well as five clay and three hard courts). In addition, there are five state-of-the-art clay (har-tru) courts and three fast-playing hard courts. This year, the development will debut Seven, a 90-acre enclave with its own par-3 course, to complement its six championship layouts. Like each of those courses, Seven will have its own clubhouse, but this one will feature familyfriendly outdoor areas with a lighted putting green, music and bocce. desertmountain.com
Check It Out 1
The 5th Avenue arts district from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard combines the ambience of Old Town with dozens of Arizona’s best restaurants, unique shops, galleries and nightlife. experiencescottsdale.com
2
Savor the award-winning American cuisine with Asian accents presented by Food Network star and chef Beau MacMillan at elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa. sanctuaryoncamelback.com
COLORADO AVIDGOLFER | Spring 2019
Drink in the region’s craft-brew scene. Follow the Scottsdale Ale Trail to Bottled Blonde, Brat Haüs, Craft 64, Goldwater Brewing, Scapegoat Bar, Sip Coffee and Beer, Two Brothers Tap House and Vines & Hops. experiencescottsdale.com
70
2 coloradoavidgolfer.com
Special Advertising Section
EAST VALLEY // SPRING TRAINING
Rio Verde Country Club
The Rio Verde Life
One of the most active of Arizona’s active-adult communities gets better every year. Thirty-six holes of Tom Lehman-designed Midwestern-style golf only scratch the surface of what’s available to members of this community nestled amid the spectacular scenery of the McDowell foothills adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. Located about 45 minutes northeast of Salt River Fields, Sloan Park and HoHoKam Stadium, Rio Verde offers clubs for hikers, bikers and horse lovers; six tennis courts (two lighted), four pickleball courts and two bocce pitches; a heated resort-style swimming pool, fitness classes and a first-rate art studio. A much-anticipated complete renovation of the clubhouse is well underway, making the 43-year-old Troon Privé-managed club even more appealing. Visitors and prospective members can rent homes with golf and other club privileges. rioverdearizona.com coloradoavidgolfer.com
Don’t Miss The East Valley is home to Mesa, where fans of the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s flock every spring, as well as to top-notch golf and more. Longbow Golf Club, one of Arizona’s better public layouts, in Mesa, sits 15 minutes from both stadiums. longbowgolf.com We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s two amazing courses are five minutes north of Longbow. wekopa.com Cubs fans looking to wash down some Chicago grub with an Old Style head to Diamond’s Sports Grille (diamondssportsgrille.com) and Groggy’s Bar and Grill, both in Mesa, and Gilbert-based Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria (buddyzpizza.com). Tour Queen Creek Olive Mill, a working olive orchard and mill producing 100% virgin olive oil. queencreekolivemill.com Board the two-story Desert Belle for a scenic 90-minute cruise on Saguaro Lake. desertbelle.com
71
Spring 2019 | COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
THE DESERT IS WILD Absolutely untamed.
AbsolutelyScottsdale.com
Special Advertising Section
SPRING TRAINING // WEST VALLEY
The Victory Course by Tom Lehman is the newest layout at Buckeye’s Verrado Golf Club.
Quintero Golf Club recently cracked Golf Digest’s list of 100 Greatest U.S. Public Courses.
Deer Valley Golf Course at Sun City West
Following the Sun
Sun City West, a pioneer in the active-adult community concept, keeps golfers happy all week long. JUST LIKE nobody drove 55 when it was speed limit, now just about everybody who hits that age blows past it into active-adult life. Sun City West, located 11 miles west of Peoria and Del Webb’s original Sun City, remains one of the most popular, with more than 100 chartered clubs, miles of walking trails, three recreation centers with pools, fitness centers, pickleball courts and more. Most attractively, the development boasts seven golf courses—four attractively priced 18hole par-72 layouts (Grandview, Trail Ridge, Deer Valley and Pebblebrook) and three par 60/61 executive courses (Desert Trails, Echo Mesa and Stardust). All courses are walkable, wellconditioned and offer tee times to Baby Boomers, Greatest Generation members and non-residents of all ages. suncitywest.com COLORADO AVIDGOLFER | Spring 2019
Eight Major League Baseball teams make their Spring Training homes in the region west of I-17. Goodyear, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise each have a stadium with two teams apiece, as well as a golf courses and activities.
Check It Out 1
A scenic Rees Jones design tucked into the Hiergoglyphic Mountains northwest of Peoria, Quintero Golf Club spans desert, mountain ridges, lakes and washes. It started out as a private club, but now rates as one of Arizona’s top courses. quinterogolf.com
1
2
An award-winning steakhouse in Glendale, Arrowhead Grill literally sizzles with sophistication; all beef cuts arrive hissing in a skillet. Order the Delmonico steak, which follows the original 1894 recipe of Chef Charles Ranhofer from Manhattan’s Delmonico Hotel. Pair any of the inspired fare with an item from the ample wine and drink list. arrowheadgrill.om Keep the kids happy and cool at Splash Pad, a Goodyear water park. goodyearaz.gov
74
2 coloradoavidgolfer.com
Special Advertising Section
WEST VALLEY // SPRING TRAINING
GREAT PLAYING!
“ANYONE WHO HAS NOT PLAYED HERE HAS MISSED A GREAT DAY OF GOLF” - GOLF ADVISOR
7 Golf Courses Open 7 Days PEBBLEBROOK
18836 N. 128TH AVE. 623-544-6010
STARDUST
12702 STARDUST BLVD. 623-544-6012
TRAIL RIDGE
21021 N. 151ST AVE. 623-544-6015
ECHO MESA
20349 ECHO MESA DR. 623-544-6014
GRANDVIEW
14260 MEEKER BLVD. 623-544-6013
DESERT TRAILS
22525 N. EXECUTIVE WAY 623-544-6017
DEER VALLEY
Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club
13975 DEER VALLEY RD. 623-544-6016
A Li’l Bit o’ Golf Par-3 rhymes with “par-ty.” So it goes at Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, where the par-3 Li’l Wick serves as a rollicking nine-hole sidekick to the heralded par-71 layout now known as “Big Wick.” While the big one’s an absolute must-play; the little one is a can’t-miss opportunity. Li’l Wick’s nine holes pivot around a lakeside sports bar called the Watering Hole. Golfers check in by writing their names on a chalkboard. No tee times, no dress codes, no pace-of-play enforcement. Just wait your turn. Music streams from speakers on all holes, four of which illuminate for night golf. Footpaths on virtually every hole connect to the bar area, where a giant hammock and numerous cozy seating areas reinforce the chill social vibe. wickenburgranch.com
Don’t Miss The cozy ambience and French fare at Coup Des Tartes in Glendale. Go for the Sunday brunch highlighted by crepes, croquettes, quiches, benedicts and the signature French Whiskey Bacon Bloody Mary. nicetarts.com coloradoavidgolfer.com
Bowling, laser tag, billiards, gravity ropes, rock climbing, mini-golf, arcade and virtual reality games all fit under one roof at Main Event in Avondale, just nine miles east of where the Indians and Reds play in Goodyear. mainevent.com
The largest collection of exotic animals in Arizona waits at Wildlife World, a zoo, aquarium and safari park located eight miles south of the Surprise Recreation Campus, home to the Mariners and Padres. wildlifeworld.com
75
GOLFSUNCITYWEST.COM Spring 2019 | COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
Golf – Tennis & Pickleball – Bocce – Pool
Proudly Managed by Troon Privé
Rio Verde is my perfect fit. “We love it here for so many reasons, like our two beautiful golf courses, gorgeous mountain views at every turn, and warm and friendly neighbors – many of whom have become wonderful friends. We’re always meeting up for a round of golf, game of pickleball, drinks and dinner, or a fabulous event at the club. We stay busy and happy. This is our paradise!” R o n & N a n c y M i l l e r
TAILORED TO YOU To learn more about making this your perfect place to live and play, contact Susan Martin: (480) 471.3410 │ smartin@rioverdecc.com RioVerdeArizona.com
-
Fitness
–
Arts
–
Hike
–
Bike
Global Golf Benefits - TroonPrive.com
-
Trails
Special Advertising Section
SPRING TRAINING // TUCSON
Idyllic Tubac Golf Resort and Spa lies only 45 miles from Tucson.
Kurobuta Pork Chop at Hacienda del Sol Ranch.
Sewailo Golf Club
Golf and Gastronomy
Great courses and even better food make the Rockies’ former Spring Training home worth the trip. More than 40 golf course dot the Tucson region, many of them with PGA TOUR and World Golf Championship pedigrees: Omni Tucson National, El Rio, Randolph Park, Starr Pass, The Gallery and Dove Mountain. Four-time PGA TOUR winner Notah Begay co-designed Sewailo Golf Club, and Jack Nicklaus did the 27 holes at La Paloma. This feast of fairways continues into Tucson’s fare ways. In 2015 the city became the first UNESCO Creative City in the U.S. selected for Gastronomy. El Charro Café, La Indita, Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe and hundreds of other restaurants comprise the “Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food. visittucson.org COLORADO AVIDGOLFER | Spring 2019
Two hours in the car separate Scottsdale and Tucson. Home to the University of Arizona, the city known as “the old Pueblo” also features the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac, futuristic Biosphere2 and Sonoran Desert’s the timeless charm. visittucson.org
1
Tucson’s cuisine isn’t all raspados, carne asada and Sonoran hot dogs. The Cup Café’s cast-iron baked eggs (inset) are a must-have breakfast, and nothing compares to the seafood lasagnette at Vivace, except, perhaps the Kurobuta Pork Chop at Hacienda del Sol Ranch. visittucson.org
1
2
Not all golf needs a PGA TOUR connection. The 45-hole Troon Golf-managed El Conquistador Golf & Tennis in Oro Valley provides fun for all. elcongolfandtennis.com Top restaurants at Tucson golf resorts include El Conquistador’s Epazote Kitchen, Westin La Paloma’s AZul, Primo at the JW Marriott Starr Pass and Flying V at Loews Ventana Canyon. visittucson.org
78
2 coloradoavidgolfer.com
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
ARE YOU THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE? Then sign up for the Schomp BMW Cup!
This premier golf event presented by Colorado AvidGolfer takes place MONDAY, JUNE 3 and TUESDAY, JUNE 4 at The Club at Ravenna For $2,500, EACH TWO-PERSON TEAM gets fantastic player gifts and chances to take home prizes and cash payouts totaling approximately $8,000 and A SHOT AT WINNING THE COVETED SCHOMP BMW CUP! A MAY 30 th PAIRINGS PARTY at Perry’s Steakhouse kicks off the festivities. You’ll then experience TWO DAYS OF GOLF, outstanding on-course food and beverages, an APRÈS-GOLF COCKTAIL PARTY and DINNER and a chance to WIN A TWO-YEAR LEASE ON A SCHOMP BMW. THE SCHOMP BMW CUP presented by AvidGolfer proudly partners with Colorado PGA REACH, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others through Youth Development, Supporting Our Military and Diversity and Inclusion. For complete details go to:
coloradoavidgolfer.com/schomp-bmw-cup For more information, contact Melissa Holmberg at 720-493-1729 ext. 15 or Melissa@ColoradoAvidGolfer.com. For Sponsorship opportunities, Chris Phillips at 720-493-1729 ext. 12 or Chris@ColoradoAvidGolfer.com or Allen Walters at 720-493-1729 ext. 17 or Allen@ColoradoAvidGolfer.com
Colorado Section