2015 Spring Training Guide: The Southwest Valley

Colorado AvidGolfer

Cincinnati Reds/Cleveland Indians
Goodyear Ballpark; 1933 South Ballpark Way, Goodyear
goodyearbp.com; 623-882-3130

PLAY

A John Fought-Tom Lehman collaboration, the voluptuous Verrado Golf Club cozies up near the White Tank mountains 15 minutes northwest of the ballpark. A short drive north brings you to Palm Valley Golf Club (pictured below) with layouts by Arthur Hills and Hale Irwin, as well as the mature 54-hole Wigwam Resort in neighboring Litchfield Park. Twelve minutes south of the stadium, the Golf Club of Estrella provides Troon Golf quality at a great value.

STAY

National chains with “inn” and “suites” in their names are always worth a look. For an upgrade, The Wigwam’s 440 acres and 331 intimate casitas and suites make it the perfect retreat.

EAT

The ballpark serves Stadium Mustard for Cleveland fans and Skyline Chili for a taste of Cincinnati. Bella Luna Ristorante and two Japanese restaurants— Nakama and AH-SO —are the best non-chain options.

DO

Phoenix International Raceway has a full slate of races and the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes skate in Glendale.

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Texas Rangers/Kansas City Royals
Surprise Stadium
15850 North Bullard, Surprise
surprisespringtraining.com; 623-222-2222

PLAY

Your best bets are The Wigwam in Goodyear and Trilogy at Vistancia in Peoria. For a classic golf experience head 45 minutes west to Wickenburg, home of the lush, rolling Rancho de los Caballeros Golf Club, or be one of the first to play Wickenburg Ranch Golf Club (pictured, see below). Golf bargains abound in this retiree hotspot: Hillcrest, Coyote Lakes and two courses at Surprise Golf Club.

> Bet the Ranch!

More than 40 miles separate the nearest Spring Training facility (Surprise Stadium) from Wickenburg Ranch Golf Club (above), and nearly seven years divide the private course’s 2008 completion and its opening this January. The wait has been worth it—the recession-induced interval allowed Architects Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett to make countless refinements—and so is the hour-long drive to get there. Stretching longer than 7,000 yards, Wickenburg Ranch’s layout crisscrosses the canyons and arroyos abutting Prescott National Forest and, thanks to the temperate climate, features satiny bentgrass greens all year round.

Through April, the public can experience this virginal gem for $95 a round. Even better, you’ll receive club’s gift of a Travis Mathew polo and a Travis Mathew Pullover. To maintain a relaxed private-club atmosphere, Wickenburg Ranch is closed Mondays and will limit play to 72 golfers per day. So get there now, before the opportunity disappears. wickenburgranch.com; 480-367-3610.

STAY

Resort-wise, you’re looking at 20-30 minutes between the ballpark and The Wigwam, Rancho de los Caballeros (golf course pictured below), or any of the finer Glendale/Phoenix/Scottsdale properties. In Surprise, the Windmill All Suites ranks highest among the area’s economy hotels.

EAT

Vogue Bistro dishes up superb French cuisine and adds a Gallic flair to burgers and sandwiches. Go to the Irish Wolfhound for pints and pub fare. New York Flavor slings great deli fare, and Fresh Wasabi combines sushi with a sports bar.

DO

The nearby White Tank Mountains provide enjoyable hiking trails. Surprise’s Aquatics Center includes a 4,700-square- foot water play area.

Photo credit: Visit Phoenix

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Los Angeles Dodgers/Chicago White Sox
Camelback Ranch
10710 West Camelback Road, Glendale
camelbackranchbaseball.com; 623-302-5000

PLAY

The three courses at The Wigwam are less than 10 minutes from the ballpark. Drive a bit further, you’ll find Palm Valley in Goodyear and Verrado Golf Club in Buckeye. There’s also the active-adult Sun City Country Club and Sun City North Course. Talking Stick, Wildfire, Troon North and the other 36-hole facilities are also easily accessible by highway from Glendale.

STAY

The major chains all have multiple inns and suites here. The aforementioned Wigwam Resort (pictured below) is in nearby Litchfield Park, as is the quaint Welsch’s Rose Acres, a bed-and-breakfast with pools, miniature horse racing, two chipping holes and putting greens.

EAT

Haus Murphy’s brings Bavaria to the desert with a biergarten and authentic German fare, and A Touch of European does the same with hearty Polish food. Westgate offers 20 different dining options, including Calico Jack’s Cantina, Gordon Biersch (food pictured below), and Yard House.

DO

Westgate offers plenty of shopping options. Why not take in a Phoenix Coyotes game at Gila River Arena.

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Seattle Mariners/San Diego Padres
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
peoriasportscomplex.com; 800-677-1227

PLAY

The heralded Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia (pictured below) and the Rees Jones-designed Quintero Golf Club make Peoria a legitimate golf destination. Plus, the 101 Loop makes just about any course accessible within 20 to 30 minutes.

STAY

Outposts of Comfort Suites, Hampton Inn and other national chains all represent here, and North Scottsdale’s resorts remain viable options. In Peoria, Cibola Vista Resort & Spa boasts plush suites and casitas as well as an expansive lagoon pool with a three-story water slide for family fun and an exclusive adult pool area.

EAT

Arrowhead Grill and Cucina Tagliani both lie about a mile from the Sports Complex and have great atmosphere. Unusual-suspect restaurant chains such as Dillon’s, Abuelo’s and Firebirds Wood-Fired Grill offer quality theme dining.

DO

Explore the final frontier with simulated flights at the Smithsonian’s Challenger Space Center. Sail, waterski or fish on beautiful Lake Pleasant.

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RELATED LINKS

Spring Training Guide: Scottsdale

Spring Training Guide: Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa

Read the full Spring Training Guide here!

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