In the spirit of the "Mission Statement's" opening salvo:
"GolfClubAtlas.com is presented to promote the frank commentary on the world's finest golf courses."So read carefully before reading out of context.
It is a very "quiet" layout. Very subtle, except for a few holes on the back. I would describe it as solid C&C however, nothing here is breakthrough. That does not mean, by any means, that it is at all bad.
Red Lawrence used the same principle at many of his holes at Desert Forest in Carefree, AZ.
I think the course deserves very high marks, especially for a Sonoran Desert layout.
The question I will pose it whether Saguaro will stand above the other desert courses without more holes that are truly unique and one-of-a-kind?
First away this course is built on nice land that sort of spills down a hill in an irregular fashion - a very top-notch piece for the "lay-it-on-the-land" style. That is a very large plus.
Forrest
Interesting questions and comments. I had the pleasure of touring 11 holes of We-Ko-Pa Saguaro in November prior to its opening. The GM was very kind and took me around, allowed me to take photographs which I promised not to use until the course had opened. No time to do so just now.
The bold emphasis on my first selected quote is all mine to raise the question as to when the last "break-through" has occurred for this group? Given the style of course that C& C build they are a very very consistent winner delivering a constant product in many ways to various parts of the country. They in a way do what Fazio does - build a kind of golf course that is in very high demand - in various markets. Before the internet and instant information dissemination by this and other media, it might take time for such word to get around that similar designs exist at Old Sandwich, Hidden Creek, Saguaro and to a lesser degree Friar's Head and yes, the much maligned Easthampton (esp 2nd nine). Can't say about CC of Colorado but I suspect that character will not be sufficiently different to call it break-through.
Places like Friar's Head and perhaps Bandon Trails (not visited) seem to be much more site dependent. I would like to see this group take more chances such as I think Gil Hanse and Tom Doak and Kelly Blake Moran surely have in the last five years - stretching themselves.
That aside:
I quite honestly was rather impressed with the par 5 "Bottle Hole" par 5 built on the back (14). The shorter-greater reward line is on the right here shortening the line considerably, providing the correct angle into the green for a larger degree of precision/margin for error given the small, narrow green complex with a large fall-off to the left of it and death awaiting on the right (or coming up the hill for the third if laying up down the left). To me this is one of the best par 5's I have seen on a modern golf course and built without any real hystrionics. With a smaller green than the namesake at NGLA it is a longer version of the mirror-image with a wash of saguaro-laden Sonoran desert rather than a string of bunkers.
For a completely public access course, now Joe and Jane can to a great degree see what is behind the walls of the privacy gates of the holies. Hole after hole is out of the repertoire of the last several courses. Are they all to be called 7's and 8's on the Doak?
The comparison to Desert Forest is a strange one to me as I find that course completely determined by its incredible green complexes. The fairways are as straight cut as Torrey Pines South we saw on TV yesterday but with a crown to them. The land at We-Ko-Pa seems more interestingly rolling on a partial visit.
In the end will find it interesting to see where indeed the superlatives fall for Saguaro - not just as you have stated:
"The question I will pose it whether Saguaro will stand above the other desert courses without more holes that are truly unique and one-of-a-kind?" but rather add a similar comment for most of the newest work located anywhere for this very talented duo and their team. They are on a roll or in a rut or perhaps both to a degree.
I would like to see greater variety from them overall and take more chances such as this lovely bottle hole.
The growth into the "random" or "snake-and-egg" greens has started to lose its novelty, certainly to me. I think that "micro-poof" greens style has very limited application for golfing interest as it just becomes tedious whereas for most golfers exposure to greens such as Friar's #7 will bring great big smiles to faces once over the shock. Whether in 2007 the public sector is ready for something this old to be "new again" - I do not know.
We-Ko-Pa Saguaro? Certainly the equal of the Talking Stick courses in overall quality, but completely different in style and given the superior land, I am tempted to say it may very well be notably better, however I have to see the entire course, but I think I may have seen enough to comment.
Architecturally:
Sand Hills
Friar's Head
Kapalua
Saguaro
Old Sandwich
(I suspect BT and Cuscowilla join this group) - are they opined as highly as they are because of quality or a cult-like following rubber stamp?)
(I suspect) Chechessee Creek
TSN
Easthampton (B-9)
TSS
Hidden Creek
I think Saguaro is a fine golf course adding immensely to the choice in the desert arena. Its terrain truly sets it apart.
Will it be as recognized as it might be were it ultra-private and locked away to increase its experiential qualities? Seeing it completed and
completely unoccupied was quite an experience I must say!