Apache Stronghold

[Sandy Smith]

Hi everyone.
Just wondering if anyone has played there lately?
Will be about a 90 minute drive from there this weekend and debating if it’s still worth the effort. Have never been there before.
Cheers!

[Paul Rudovsky]

Played it 3 months ago.  Not in very good shape but great bones and the superb architecture is there to see.  So depends what interests you.  Glad I made the trip...and too bad not enough people do so.

[Roman Schwarz]

I played in fall 2017 and echo the sentiment.  It's a great course, but if you're expecting Snottsdale level conditioning and amenities you'll be sorely disappointed.  If you have the time, I would do it.  Also, if it's hot in Phoenix, you'll get a few degrees of respite by heading out there.


Architecture wise, I'd only put Saguaro above it within the metro area.  I really wish I could get out there more for repeated plays, but it's an extra 75 minutes or so each way vs. Wekopa from where I stay out there.  It's definitely worth the hole-by-hole study repeated plays would afford.

[JHoulihan]

I played in June 2018. I hoped it would be a bit cooler than Phoenix metro so I drove east...and kept on driving. I was happy I played and learned the holes and layout. Conditions were problematic on several holes and others only showed less than perfect greens. I am sure I will play again this year but with a few changes. 1. No score keeping 2. Play from different teeing grounds both short and long 3. Have more fun


Justin

[Christian Newton]

Sandy,

I played it almost exactly a year ago. To me it was essentially a ruin--the desert is slowly reclaiming what felt like a great design. It was worth playing once. Conditions were middling-to-bad, especially on the greens. Some putting lines just didn't have grass on them. Teeing areas occasionally presented unplanned challenges due to overgrowth. Current management has reversed the nines. If it isn't busy, ask to play the nines in their original order. The opening holes and closing holes only make sense that way. Go play it!

Cheers,
Christian

[Ben Malach]

I played today, I knew it was going to be rough but what I experienced today was wild. First the golf shop was not even open so, me and my playing partner got permission to play from the casino manager on the condition we walk. Which was fine although it was hot in the high 80's.


Once we got out there it was wild, from collapsed bunkers, to multiple irrigation leaks and problems. With most of the fairways being dead or completely soaked from a break in the irrigation or drainage.


Most of the greens were wet and soft which was strange considering the state of the of the fairways and tees.


Honestly, it's getting to the point it's only for those that are die hard architecture nerds and even then I don't know if it's worth more that $5.

[Dan Gallaway]

Were you able to see the full 18?  The website makes it sound like only 9 holes are open.

[Carl Rogers]

Have family in the Phoenix area that I will visit in the next year.  Will not make the drive to Globe.


Thanks for the warning.

[Ben Malach]

Dan,


We played the full 18

[Jonathan Cummings]

So sad...

[Matthew Petersen]

They were closed for most of 2020 due to COVID and while some courses were able to take a little time with no play to spruce up, at Apache that meant the better part of a year with no money coming in and who knows how much maintenance being done. Very sad indeed.