Please report back on your trip ... I spoke to a new superintendent there sometime last year, but I haven't heard anything about the place since then.
I heard a rumor they have switched the nines, which would make for a tough starting sequence.
Tom:
It was a beautiful perfect weather day on a Saturday at Apache. Unfortunately, play was almost zero. I went out at 930 and was first off. I was followed by two local foursomes and there might have been one or two other small groups on the course when I finsihed.
Yes, they switched the nines and the new first hole is a real bear from either of the back 2 tees.
I thought the design of the course was excellent with lots of variety and potentially great green complexes. The course had width and utilized some natural "washes" quite nicely.
I went with low expectations about course conditions but was disappointed to find that it was in horrible shape. Lots of areas of mud and large ruts in the fairways and lots of bare areas too. My ball was covered in dirt and mud after almost every tee shot. About 4 or 5 of the greens had nearly full grass coverage but many of the others had bare spots or even ruts in the greens. Around the hole locations, the ball rolled well and I was able to make a few putts of medium length when my angle allowed me to putt over the part of the greens that didn't have the huge maintenance issues. The bunkers were largely poorly maintained and in a few, black plastic drainage pipes were protruding above the "sand". Many had been unraked since the last rain (whenever that was...no rain in at least several days before my visit).
The whole experience made me quite sad. I took a number of pictures to show the conditioning issues but frankly don't wish to harm the place further. It was clearly the highest ratio of course design/course condition I have ever played (7/1.5). The two employees were friendly and kind (especially the outside worker). I would guess that the word about the condition has gotten out and that has substantially impacted the number of playing customers (which in turn has decreased revenues and therefore, decreased maintenance expeditures).
I am glad I made the trip to see the course but would not return unless I heard from trusted sources that place had turned the corner in its maintenance.
Bart