Arizona’s Hidden Gem

Tonto Verde is where desert beauty meets championship golf

TONTO VERDE

For many golfers in Colorado, winter often means watching the snow fall while dreaming of green fairways and blue skies. However, just outside Scottsdale, Arizona, where the Sonoran Desert meets the foothills of the Tonto National Forest, Tonto Verde Golf Club provides the perfect escape for the winter.

Located in Rio Verde, Arizona this premier golf community offers residents a wide range of amenities, including a Santa Fe-style Clubhouse, the Mesquite Grill, a lighted 18-hole putting course, fitness center with classes, resort-style pool, bocce ball courts, pickleball, and a massage studio. Golfers enjoy the luxury of two championship 18-hole courses, each offering six sets of tee options, allowing players of all skill levels to tailor the challenge to their game.

At the heart of Tonto Verde are two beautifully maintained courses that offer contrasting yet equally rewarding experiences. The Peaks Course features narrow fairways, natural desert transitions, and contoured greens with subtle breaks that test precision and strategy. The Ranch Course provides a contrasting experience with wider fairways, longer distances, and expansive sloping greens. Both courses have recently undergone bunker refurbishment and green restorations, returning them to their original design and playability.

While the golf is exceptional, members often say the real magic of Tonto Verde lies in its people. Tonto Verde prides itself on being a friendly, member-focused community. New members frequently remark on how quickly they feel welcomed, whether it’s joining a casual round of golf, attending a club social event, or simply gathering with neighbors after a day on the course.

Members consistently describe the Tonto Verde experience as unique, thanks in large part to the Club’s highly regarded Group Play Program. According to Jeff Ostlund, PGA, Director of Golf, “We have regular groups playing every day of the week, with plenty of options for open play thanks to our 36-hole facilities. While other clubs in the Valley are on lottery tee time systems, Tonto Verde’s members can play any day or every day.”

Group play matches golfers of similar handicaps, creating a welcoming environment where casual players can find themselves playing alongside state amateur champions. The program helps new members quickly integrate into the social and golfing life of the Club.

As a member-owned and financially stable organization, Tonto Verde Golf Club also offers a full calendar of activities, including an 18-hole men’s league, 9- and 18-hole ladies’ leagues, women’s interclub competitions, organized golf travel, demo days, social events, and PGA professional lessons and fittings. The fully stocked Golf Shop and a team of experienced professionals enhance the overall experience, while the attentive outside service staff ensure every round begins seamlessly.

If you would like to learn more about Tonto Verde Golf Club, please reach out to Somin Lee Beversdorf, the Membership and Marketing Director at [email protected] or 480-689-9697.