Many respected golf publications list Troon North Golf Club’s Monument course as the best place to play on a Scottsdale Golf Vacation. While it’s a wonderful layout and arguably the toughest course in the area (its slope rating is 147), we think there’s more that comprises the best overall experience.
For that, you’ll want to play the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, located 30 minutes east of Scottsdale on land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
Like Troon North, We-Ko-Pa is a perfectly groomed course that seems downright lush compared to the Sonoran desert landscape that surrounds it. The surrounding mountains and “Four Peaks,” into which the club’s name translates provide constant aesthetic inspiration.
But the biggest difference, and where the Monument Course loses points in our opinion, is that there isn’t a single house, condo or commercial building to mar the view. Whereas Monument winds through a master planned community, the only plan that the Yavapai Nation has for its land is another phenomenal golf course (designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw).
The Cholla course also stands out because everyone — not just low handicappers — can experience the essence and drama of desert golf. While long hitters can unleash their drivers and attempt to carry its ridges, arroyos and desert washes (there are two, 600-yard par-5s and six par-4s longer than 420 yards), recreational players can take safer, but still intriguing, routes to the greens.
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Three discriminating rednecks agree. We played this course in May 08. Fantastic, as is Saguaro. Also check out Dinosaur Mtn. at Gold Canyon. A little out of the way, but well worth the trip. Fabulous views and great conditions. Thumbs up to Sun Ridge Canyon and Eagle Mtn . May is a great time to play in Arizona. Temps are ok and green fees are reduced. $110-120 is the most we paid. Most in the $80-90 range.
I second this review as well. Although it might be tough during the current economic situation, we have never felt cheated in paying the moderately overpriced green fee at We-Ko-Pa GC. Also agree that it’s home free, isolated surroundings help it top most of the similar priced courses in PHX. (GrayHawk, Troon North, Kierland, etc) Biggest drawback of We-Ko-Pa is the year round cart path only restriction on the Cholla Course. We also enjoy Fountain Hills’ SunRidge Canyon GC. Great conditions. Great layout. Very minimal home interference.
Thanks G.K. While the Cholla cart restriction may SEEM to be year round, they actually have a small, 4 to 4.5-month window (mid June through October) in which carts are allowed at 90-degrees.