Nicklaus in Arizona

[Steve_ Shaffer]

John Davis has written an excellent article that appears in today's Arizona Republic on Jack Nicklaus' impact on golf in Arizona- Desert Highlands,the 6 courses at Desert Mountain,the 2 courses at Superstition Mountain, LaPaloma and more on the way in the West Valley of PHX- and some great golf stories, particularly how JN came under the influence of George Low, the putting wizard.


"...What Nicklaus gave back to the Valley in course design might have been even more valuable than what he received in his experiences here as a golfer.

In 1980, developer Lyle Anderson made a "cold call" to Nicklaus, asking him to design a course on the south slope of Pinnacle Peak that became Desert Highlands and set the standard for desert, target-style golf.

"Desert Highlands was significant in what we know now as Arizona golf," said Mark Kizziar, former president of the PGA of America and a longtime property manager for Anderson. "It wasn't the first desert-style course, but it revolutionized the standards in terms of quality."

The concept was to keep as much natural desert vegetation intact as possible, retain washes and natural waterways and use less grass and water to maintain the layout. It was no simple task because Nicklaus insists on a minimum 400-foot corridors on all golf holes.

In 1983 the course hosted the first Skins Game, with Nicklaus, Player, Palmer and Tom Watson playing in the event that launched what is now regarded as the "silly season."

Desert Forest, the Red Lawrence-designed gem in Carefree, was created some 20 years earlier, but the Nicklaus layout drew recognition through its international exposure.

"People got to see not only a new type of event with a new format, but they also saw a breathtaking course in superb condition that was shown all over the world," Kizziar said. "So Jack had an impact not only on Arizona golf in that way, but in desert-style golf throughout the world. Other than Desert Forest, the Valley didn't have a course of that quality."

"What Jack has done for Lyle Anderson is amazing with the diversity of courses," said course architect Forrest Richardson, who grew up in the Valley. "I look at Desert Mountain as an art gallery of golf courses. They're all different, yet they were all painted by one artist.

"You don't have to look farther than Desert Highlands and Desert Mountain. That has been Jack's contribution to Arizona golf. Desert Highlands was a landmark project, and Desert Mountain was a modern-day Pinehurst."

Here is the link to the entire article:

www.azcentral.com/sports/golf/articles/0710nicklausside0710.html

[Matt_Ward]

Bill:

If you want to see "post-Nicklaus" design you need to compare the early works of Desert Highlands and what the Bear has done most recently with the likes of Outlaw at Desert Mountain.

Simply put -- a mega change for the better with the latter.

P.S. Desert Highlands got a mega boost in hype in hosting the original Skins game. The mounding and multi-tier greens are clearly an overplay by Jack's design hands and you can see the evolution through a few of his designs in the Valley with Chirichua and the aforementioned Outlaw, to name just two.

[PThomas]

Desert  Highlands was the Jack course in T Doak's 31 Flavors...

I 'd love to hear more opinions about his 6 courses at D Mountain...6 at one place!!  a nice deal if you're a member!

[Matt_Ward]

Paul:

The six courses represent a solid way to see / understand the evolution of the Nicklaus design philosophy.

The early courses -- Renegade, Cochise and Geronimo were geared toward the high-ball type golf that Jack preferred at the outset.

Frankly, I really enjoyed the "old" Geronimo before Lyle Anderson pushed for some changes to that layout. Two of which were ill-advised.

You also have some mediocre layouts with the likes of Cochise and Apache.

However, when Jack came ahead with the Chirichua the nature of the "all-or-nothing" penal desert style began to change -- not on a grand scale but with clear movements from the rigid past.

The same has continued with Outlaw -- one of the finest Jack Nicklaus courses I have ever played (total portfolio played is 50+). The layout is quite forgiving off the tee and there is no forced clutter with housing because the permits don't provide for it. The players can also walk and the rolling nature of the land fits perfectly.

Anyone going to Desert Mtn can get a quick lesson on how Jack has indeed evolved his architectural efforts over the years.