Played Tuesday 9/23. FotS recently popped up on the GolfNow course availability, and I was interested in checking out this executive course located within the FotS senior community. It was nice to see... Continue »

Played Tuesday 9/23. FotS recently popped up on the GolfNow course availability, and I was interested in checking out this executive course located within the FotS senior community. It was nice to see a new executive course become available after the recent closings of Rio Salado and The Lakes at Ahwatukee. With courses inside private developments, the concern is that you'll be treated like an outsider or an interloper. Not here. The head pro, Mark, who was manning the pro shop, had a cart parked out front for me (it was a slow day), and took the time to welcome me, give me directions on how to get around, and seemed to be genuinely happy I was there. A very nice start. A small bucket of 25 balls ("enough to get you warmed up!") cost only $2 (!!!). The driving range was right behind the pro shop, and there was a practice putting green and practice bunker/chipping area as well. The driving range had divot mix at every other station, an ongoing theme at this course. They take care here. Although I was unaware of it until recently, the course has clearly been around for awhile. I don't say that to mean it was worn out, but had many old growth pine, eucalyptus and other trees all along the fairways, Trees were also strategically placed by almost every tee box and parking areas by the greens, which is what all smart courses here in the desert do or should do. All tee boxes were in very good-to-great shape. When you play an executive course, it's usually because you want an inexpensive way to practice specific shots out of your bag, especially with the mid-to-short irons and wedges. FotS does not disappoint. There are two Par 5s, four Par 4s and 12 Par 3s. Two tee boxes choices White (4212 yards/60.1/94) and Red (3626 yards/59.7/94). It's flat, with almost no mounding except around the greens. It's also very, very grassy. Appears to be mostly Bermuda, with some Kikuyu thrown in for good measure, and I defy anyone to find a bare spot anywhere on any fairway. Fairways are generous, and the rough in some places was as high as 6 inches (but usually in the 3-4" range) and very penal. The only time I felt crowded from homes was on the 3rd tee box, where a drive more than a couple yards off the left side of the fairway was in someone's backyard. Otherwise, generous fairways, large areas of rough bracketed by homes with larger than usual backyards. Each tee box also had its own supply of divot mix. They're serious about keeping this course in the best possible condition. Bunkers were in very good shape, well cared for and appeared to have more than adequate sand (I was never in one so I cannot review directly). Greens were a bit soft and spongy, and ran slow-to-medium, but, oddly, was difficult to leave a pitch mark in them. Very smooth. Miss a green and you could be in 5" rough, so target wisely. Water is only an issue on the 18th hole, and then only if you mi s-hit badly. Finally, this course is, as I mentioned, inside a senior community. The cart paths are smooth, not big bumps and potholes to throw your back out, like so many other courses do. To sum up, this is far and away the best executive course I've played in the Phoenix area, from the facilities available, to the attitude of the staff, to the course itself. As an inexpensive alternative in the east valley, you can do far, far worse than Fountain of the Sun Country Club. CP