Wolf Creek My brother and I played Wolf Creek on Wed Feb 16th. Two senior golfers, both under 6 HDCP, decided to play the Blue tees at 6400 yards. We played the first 7 holes in 65 degree weather with 10 mph breeze. Perfect. Both 1 over par. The 8th hole is the toughest par three I've ever played - 217 downhill into a 30 mph wind, green surrounded by a stream and the bail out area to the right out of reach. The wind remained with us for the last 10 holes, making a difficult course unplayable. However we finished and hope to return.
We loved the course, it certainly is a one of a kind. If the cliffs and ravines surrounding each fairway were covered with green fescue instead of desert it would play like a links. The tee shots were almost all to wide targets, but frought with danger. Into the wind our tee shots usually cleared the desert by feet, not yards. Prior to the wind starting the course was not difficult. We joined a Manchester single on the 16th - he said he didn't mind the wind, "it's the sand in the wind that's difficult". The wind on 18 (par 4 307 yards) was so strong none of us could reach the fairway from the tee - 153 yards!
Matt, it would be in my top 5 desert courses, on a normal day. The Panks course, Conestoga GC, is next door and a bit better for the average player. Wolf Creek is OK for 9 and under HDCPs, tough in this economy.