Played this course as a single on Thursday, June 25th around 10:10am (last tee time on Tuesdays and Thursdays are 10:30am) for $45. Prepaid online to avoid social interaction, a result of COVID-19 and... Continue »

Played this course as a single on Thursday, June 25th around 10:10am (last tee time on Tuesdays and Thursdays are 10:30am) for $45. Prepaid online to avoid social interaction, a result of COVID-19 and was greeted by the starter/bag drop guy. Range balls are included in the tee time so I made my way over to the practice tee. Upon arriving, you'll notice this course is tucked inside of a gated community and the course is situated along a large, looming clubhouse for residents and I believe there was even a waterpark/pool area next to the on course grille. Once you're at the practice range you'll also notice there's a members only section which I accidentally stumbled upon and then next to it there's the guest section. Fully stocked range, good amount of grass to hit from into grass greens and bunkers even to aim at. The backdrop of the range, and really the course, sets the day up for some amazing day dreaming.

Onto the course, this Kavanaugh design with Lehman Design group's redesign in 2016 led to some of the holes being re-routed. This doesn't seem to impact the conditions which were very, very pure. The temps recently in the valley have been easing into the 110s and the tee boxes, to the manicured fairways, always looming lush rough up to the greens were....green. Deep green. Not too much in the way of burn spots though it's summer and if you go after reading this I'm sure you may find a FEW. The greens were rolling quick and pure, a tough combo when the undulations on this course play games with 3 footers for par. The bunkers were soft green side and texturized perfectly in the fairways. The rough was lush with it growing to 3-5 inches in some spots but the main lateral hazards to avoid will be the desert landscaping which was maintained. The tee boxes were phenomenal.

This course definitely has the Lehman thumbprint on it design wise, off the tee box you often are presented with a bunker that poses a threat until you realize it's green side or a dogleg that's bound by a large hill/mound that can extend your drive's distance if you're lucky. Strategy wise this course was a blast absolutely. Nothing ridiculous in distance if you place yourself correctly and from the tips the 7200 doesn't actually feel THAT long (except for the 600+ yard par 5 16th). The greens are undulating and well protected when they are short holes, open and accepting of an array of shots when long and varying enough that you're never bored when putting. The fairways here are extremely forgiving and open (I only missed two fairways all day) which is a much needed breath of fresh air. And lastly, the views are amazing. Sure there are houses and communities popping up with construction noise audible all day long but the mountain vistas of nearby Four Peaks, McDowell Mountain , Superstition Mountain visible, I mean it was just photoshoot after photoshoot for new iPhone Wallpapers.

This course (according to my sources I talked to at the course) is attempting to go private however they are nowhere near the numbers to do so at present moment. As long as this course is available for public daily fees, I'd say the conditions it's in and views in comparison to the price is definitely worth it. Not to mention, it's within a short drive of some of the finest private courses in Scottsdale and from people I talked to who've played both, this course holds its own.