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Tee It Up

TALKING STICK GOLF CLUB (Scottsdale – Pictured Above)

The club may have changed the names of the two courses, but 36 holes of Coore-Crenshaw golf still await at Talking Stick Golf Club’s links-style O’odham (née North) and tree-lined Piipaash (South) courses. Adjacent to Talking Stick Resort, the distinctive 20-year-old layouts represent the first name-designer, big-ticket courses built on Native American land in Arizona. Both continue to thrive. talkingstickgolfclub.com

ASU KARSTEN GOLF COURSE (Tempe)

#KarstenWhileYouCan is social media’s way of saying “Play the ‘Home of Champions’ before it closes.” The superb Pete Dye layout that shaped the games of such Arizona State stars as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Anna Nordqvist and Grace Park faces an uncertain future, as the school has made it part a development deal and will move the men’s and women’s golf teams to Papago Golf Course in the fall. asukarsten.com

PAPAGO GOLF COURSE (Phoenix)

With the city’s goal of making this Billy Bell-designed muni the “Harding Park or Torrey Pines of Arizona,” the new home of the Arizona State men’s and women’s golf teams has undergone a course renovation, construction of a new clubhouse and will debut a spanking new indoor-outdoor practice facility, driving range and an elaborate Phil Mickelson-designed short-game training area. papagogolfcourse.net

Stay a While

ROLLIN’ ON THE RIO

Part of the Troon Privé network of private clubs, Rio Verde Country Club (pictured at right) tucks into the trail-rich McDowell foothills at the edge of the Tonto National Forest and features two challenging, Tom Lehman-remodeled courses—White Wing and Quail Run. Amenities include two pickleball and bocce courts, tennis, fitness and stables. The clubhouse food is superb. Spend a few days and nights at this this 42-year old ungated unpretentious community by contacting Membership Director Susan Martin at [email protected]. rioverdearizona.com

TONTO, PRONTO!

Situated in a 717-home gated community adjacent to Tonto National Forest, Tonto Verde Golf Club’s Ranch and Peaks courses purport to feature the truest greens in the area. Both semi-private courses welcome the public, as does the club’s Mesquite Grill. Prospective members can try Tonto Verde’s $795 Discovery Package, a four-day/three-night luxury stay with myriad amenities. tontoverde.org

Gated Glory

DESERT HIGHLANDS

Snowbirds have flocked to Desert Highlands ever since the gated enclave opened at the base of Pinnacle Peak in 1983, the year it hosted the first of two televised Skins Games featuring Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, who designed the 7,072-yard course. A total of 560 homes fill the idyllic 850-acre development, and they range from $800,000 to $2 million—important to know because only Desert Highlands property owners can become members. In addition to golf, there are four grass, six clay, and three hard tennis courts; as well as a spa, fitness center, gourmet restaurant, outdoor pool and three-mile trail network. deserthighlandsscottsdale.com

Resort Plays

WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB AND RESORT (Scottsdale)

The one-two punch of the Saguaro and Cholla courses is a knockout for any golfer. wekopa.com

THE BOULDERS RESORT AND SPA (Carefree)

Easily Arizona’s most stunning spot for luxuriating, recharging and playing 36 holes. theboulders.com

FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS/ TPC SCOTTSDALE (Scottsdale)

Luxe digs, unreal food and home to the greatest show on grass. tpc.com

FOUR SEASONS SCOTTSDALE/ TROON NORTH (Scottsdale)

Five-star accommodations paired with Troon Golf’s two-course flagship. troonnorthgolf.com

JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE/WILDFIRE (Phoenix)

Suite lodging and two sweet courses played every March on the LPGA Tour. wildfiregolf.com

View the full digital version as it appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer:

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