Gauging interest in a Desert Forest round

« **on:** August 07, 2017, 10:24:28 PM »

I would like to invite anyone interested to a round at Desert Forest GC, Carefree AZ.

I am thinking Sunday, Sept 17, 10:00 AM starting tee times.

For those not familiar with the course, it is considered the first "desert" golf course, built in 1962 by Red Lawrence. There has been a recent renovation (2013) of the greens complexes by David Zinkand (a former Coore and Crenshaw employee), which has really changed the visual appearance of the greens complexes. Additionally, there has been a recent tree removal project (which is ongoing), and the course now looks very different - much more of the desert is visible, rather than non-native Chilean Mesquite trees. Desert Forest is profiled in the Courses by Country section of the website, pre-renovation.

The course is currently the site of the SWPGA Professional Match Play Championship, and was the 2016 US Women's Open Regional Qualifying site. The NCAA Maui Jim Golf Invitational will be played at Desert Forest on Sept 21-23, 2017, so the course should be in almost perfect condition.

Please either contact me via DM or thru this thread if you are interested.

Participants (Confirmed)

David August
Frank S.
Matthew P.
T. Yost
J. Houlihan
Steve Shaffer.
Steve Fekety.
astavrides
Mark Kiely

« **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2017, 10:41:07 PM »

Dave,
I would love to join you, but will not be in AZ until mid November. Perhaps sometime after that?

« **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2017, 02:23:06 AM »

Hello Dave:

This is extremely generous and something I'd be interested in if it comes together. Although I live in Southern California, my dad lives in Mesa and I'm due to pay him a visit. I'll monitor this thread for further developments, or feel free to private message me if you would like.

Sincere thanks,
Mark Kiely

« **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2017, 07:04:42 AM »

I would be interested.
The course I've played more than any other in my adult life is also a Red Lawrence course (U. New Mexico).

Thanks,
Alex

« **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2017, 10:01:20 AM »

A wonderful invitation! I will not be able to attend but have always thought that if I ever joined a club in Arizona, Desert Forest would be my choice.

I played Desert Forest a few years ago after the renovation and it seemed at the time that membership reaction was mixed. I know that those greens were extremely difficult and wondered if they beat up the membership too much.

Dave - has the membership grown to like the changes as they have learned the nuances of the green complexes?

« **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2017, 10:20:37 AM »

I feel the same way as Jason. I only played it before the renovation, but loved everything about the place.

« **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2017, 10:49:27 AM »

Yes please!

« **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2017, 08:24:28 PM »

Thanks. I haven't played there since the renovation. Yes, I'm interested as my recent injuries have healed and a definite maybe as I'm flying back to PHX 9/16.

« **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2017, 10:31:40 PM »

Great golf course!

« **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2017, 12:28:55 AM »

Quote from: Jason Topp on August 08, 2017, 10:01:20 AM

A wonderful invitation! I will not be able to attend but have always thought that if I ever joined a club in Arizona, Desert Forest would be my choice.

I played Desert Forest a few years ago after the renovation and it seemed at the time that membership reaction was mixed. I know that those greens were extremely difficult and wondered if they beat up the membership too much.

Dave - has the membership grown to like the changes as they have learned the nuances of the green complexes?

A number of members who did not like the renovation have left. The members who stayed (and have since joined) mostly like the changes, moreso now that the greens have had a chance to soften up.

« **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2017, 01:58:47 AM »

Dave,

A very generous invitation indeed. I haven't played them all, but I've played plenty and Desert Forest seems clearly as good as it comes in Arizona.

I'd be very interested in joining.

« **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2017, 09:35:28 AM »

« **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2017, 09:44:26 PM »

Dave,

Thank you so much for the invite.
I would love to play and meet you personally

« **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2017, 04:19:53 PM »

There are 12 openings for a round at Desert Forest, Sept 17, 2017.

First tee time is 10 AM, then every 10 minutes for four groups.

Please let me know if you are certainly coming - I will update the first post accordingly.

Looking forward to meeting you.

David August

« **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2017, 04:22:59 PM »

I have updated the first post.

« **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2017, 01:34:26 PM »

Bumping this for anyone else who may be interesed.

Sunday, 9/17, 10:00 am, four tee times.

PM if you need directions or any other questions.

Looking forward to seeing you.

« **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2017, 12:32:33 PM »

Huge thank you to Dave and the members at Desert Forest. Such a great day and the course was fabulous. THANK YOU!

« **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2017, 04:38:10 PM »

Agreed. It was a pleasure to meet many of you and we had an excellent, breezy day. Thanks to Dave for the invitation.

« **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2017, 11:09:11 AM »

Thanks again to Dave and the members of Desert Forest for the opportunity to play one of the best, if not the best, desert courses . Having played there before the Zinkand renovation, this was my first visit to the "new" course. I think Ran's review needs an update given the work that has been done- bunkers, greens and a general clean up, etc. I was impressed even though the course may have been made more difficult according to some reviews. The greens were " slow" at about 10 instead of the usual 11 or 12. I'll take the 10.

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/desert-forest-golf-club/

« **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2017, 04:21:17 AM »

This was truly a special day. From the phenomenal layout to a seemingly wonderful membership to Dave's obvious passion for (and knowledge of) the course, to meeting and befriending some GCA members, I can't imagine a much more enjoyable experience.

Thank you so much for the invite, Dave. I had a blast even though the course ate me alive.

If anyone’s interested, here’s a link to my Flickr album of 65 photos of the course:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5rMgNL

« **Reply #20 on:** September 20, 2017, 01:20:12 PM »

I want to thank Dave and the Desert Forest membership. What a great day on an amazing course. Great to catch up after brief meeting at the dinner table in Dismal River Nebraska.

« **Reply #21 on:** September 20, 2017, 01:33:55 PM »

Interesting difference in the bunker surrounds on right and left.

https://flic.kr/p/YTFKZB

« **Reply #22 on:** September 20, 2017, 07:05:34 PM »

I also want to thank Dave and the member in our group Cameron who is a true GCA geek like the rest of us. Had a great time and will agree Desert Forest is always presented beautifully and it seems like they are making huge strides in thinning out the native to make it more playable. Course played great and it is always a treat playing there. Thanks again.

« **Reply #23 on:** September 21, 2017, 08:43:46 PM »

Very nice of Dave to have us, and member Paul to play with our group.
Great day. The whole course was very good, especially the par 5s imho.

« **Reply #24 on:** September 21, 2017, 09:16:46 PM »

Glad to hear this. Dave is a great guy to play with and loves his course, rightly so.

News:

Dave August

Bill Buthorn

Mark Kiely

astavrides

Jason Topp

Sean Leary

Steve Fekety

Steve_ Shaffer

David Wuthrich

Dave August

Matthew Petersen

Tom Yost

JHoulihan

Dave August

Dave August

Dave August

Steve Fekety

Matthew Petersen

Steve_ Shaffer

Mark Kiely

JHoulihan

Kevin_Reilly

Peter Ferlicca

astavrides

Chris Mavros

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