Value is the only reason Apache Stronghold should draw you away from a Scottsdale, Arizona golf vacation.
[Editor's Update: As of February 2009, Apache Stronghold was closed until further notice.]
A few years ago, when a major golf magazine selected Tom Doak’s Apache Stronghold as the No.1 golf course in Arizona, we knew we had to make the two-hour drive east from Scottsdale to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation to see if it was truly a “must play” on a Scottsdale, Arizona golf vacation. After our round, we had only one question: What were they thinking?
When we visited, the grass was thin and the overall maintenance was far below Scottsdale’s standards. More importantly, it wasn’t nearly as picturesque as, say, We-Ko-Pa or Troon North. That said, Apache Stronghold is a superb design that often costs half as much as first-rate courses in Scottsdale.
Doak deftly incorporated the natural elements and features of the terrain into his design. Desert ridges, valleys, and washes wind through the course and form most of the hazards. And, although the course stretches to 7,519 yards with a slope rating of 138, it is extremely accommodating for most players.
It is not heavily bunkered and short hitters playing from the proper tees are not burdened by forced carries. In addition, Apache Stronghold has generous, level fairways and accessible greens, which help keep things moving. Doak also set out paths between greens and tees to encourage walking.
There is excellent variety to the game on this very fine course, yet it hardly deserves the title, “best in Arizona.” If you’re in the area, by all means, play it. But we can’t recommend making a special excursion from a Scottsdale, Arizona golf vacation to do so. It appears the magazine agrees; as it now has the course ranked in the middle of the pack.
Did you know? Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world’s only golf publications that do not accept any advertising from golf courses, resorts, or restaurants and regularly travel anonymously in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.
Not already a subscriber to Golf Vacation Insider? Use this link to stay in the loop with our free tips and expert advice on which golf courses, golf resorts, discount golf vacations, and golf vacation packages are truly worth your time and money. As a bonus, we will send you a free copy of Planning the Ultimate Golf Vacation, a 40-page book filled with some of the best golf travel secrets from the editors of Golf Odyssey.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My son and I played Apache Stronghold in October and had one of our most enjoyable rounds ever, and we have teed up on over twenty of the courses on Golf Digest’s “To One Hundred Courses You Can Play.” Granted, the maintenance leaves something to be desired but the setting and the design of the holes are superlative. Apache Stronghold is worth the drive from Scottsdale. Oh, and the scenery is spectacular.
ive played apache stronghold nov 07 and was the worst golf course we played on our holiday but the drive there was the best part of the day