This was my first time playing Firecliff and my second time to the facility. We played on Saturday May 21st teeing off about 11:00. Joining me was my wife, nephew and a friend of his who just returned for summer break from college. The wind picked up shortly after noon and was a factor but not unreasonable Play was slow but expected given the nice weather and on the week end but it could have been better if not for a slow group ahead of us. We made the most of it taking advantage of a few shady spots and good company.

We liked how unique a way they chose to disguise the sand rakes until about the fourth hole. It lost its luster about the sixth hole and we were cursing the idea midway through the back nine. I was in the sand on eight of the first nine holes carding a 47. I found only two traps on the back and had a 41 to help save my score from being worse. One thing that we all agreed upon was that the fairway traps seemed to have more sand and with a looser base than the green side bunkers that were firm and in some cases had a muddy base.

I hit a good percentage of some generous fairways and solid iron shots that were off to one side or another finding trouble. The greens were small and tough to hit, for me at least, and once on I found the pins to be in tough spots. With slight undulations and pins sometimes on a spine I found myself missing quite a few short putts that would have helped my recoveries.

We closed on a positive note by all four of us hitting the green on the par 3 17th and two of us walking away with a birdie. We had a bit of a drive there and back so we didn't have much of a chance to enjoy the patio overlooking the course but I'm sure we'll be back. Given my preference, I would take the Mountain over the Firecliff. I found quite a bit more trouble on Firecliff and it's still fresh in my mind so that might have an influence. The most difficult course I've played is Silver Rock, in the desert also, but I would place Firecliff second. Both couses at Desert Willow are beautiful and I would encourage anyone to get out there early and give them a try.

Mark614