Apache Stronghold and Sedona golf

[Tom Yost]

Yes, after you plane lands, head over to Papago Park.

Unfortunately, the course may be closed for renovation in May if things proceed according to schedule  


Tom

[Jim Johnson]

Many thanks to those who have contributed so far.

To all others, would anyone have any suggestions for golf in these areas? Having never golfed in Arizona, we are very open to suggestions. Looks like we'll have 3 or 4 days for golf, before hiking down into the Havasu Falls canyons.

Thanks,
JJ

[Dave Givnish]

JJ

You're going to have a lot of elevation change in that trip.  Don't get a compact from the rental company!  It might be hard to make the trip up the hill to Flag.

I'd vote for The Rim over CP, and might also suggest Talking Rock north of Prescott.  I'm not fond of target courses at elevation, and CP is definitely one.

Is there any truth to the rumor that I've been hearing about Apache Stronghold's conditions being well below what they were a few years ago?

Dave

[Doug_Feeney]

JJ,

Wanted to see if you made it to Apache Stronghold and how your trip went.  I am thinking of heading out that way next week and would love to hear about conditions, etc.

Thanks

[Jim Johnson]

Doug, unfortunately no, we weren't able to golf at Apache Stronghold. I phoned them to stay at the "resort" overnight and golf the course the next morning, but they were hosting some PGA sectional tournament for two days, both of which were the only two days we could have chosen to golf/stay in that area.

I was pretty disappointed, having never golfed a Tom Doak/Renaissance Golf course. I was looking forward to it.

Instead, we drove over from the airport on the Sunday evening to Fort McDowell and stayed at the We-Ko-Pa Resort for two nights, and golfed the Saguaro and Cholla there. Both were in prime condition. And it was interesting (finally) golfing a Coore-Crenshaw course. And a Scott Miller course.

Saguaro...
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35187.0.html

Cholla...
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35165.0.html

JJ

[David Kelly]

Can't resist posting a few photos from Seven Canyons in Sedona this past fall. The course is visually spectacular as you'll see in the photos, it seemed like they had a lot of play from outsiders the day I was there so it might be possible to play it somehow, but you'll most spend a fair amount to do it. The views in town in Sedona are equally spectacular as well. Definitely a town worth seeing even if it is pretty expensive.

#6, par four, quite a bit of room out to the left not shown in the photo.


#7, par three, tough hole.


#9, par four.

Well the rocks look beautiful at least.

[Jim Johnson]

Has anyone played Apache Stronghold in the last little while?

[Bruce Leland]

Has anyone played Apache Stronghold in the last little while?

I missed my annual Feb / March trip there this year but the rest of my group spent a week there.  We absolutely love the golf course, tolerate the hotel and dining experience and put up with the maintenance due to our love of the layout.

I understand that the greens were not good this year.  I fully agree, however, that Apache is worth the trip regardless of playing conditions.  All the other years I've been there the greens and tees were in good shape and the fairways struggled.  I will continue to return...it's a wonderful layout.

[Mike Kosak]

If you can get on one golf course in Northern Arizona make it the Canyon course at Forest Highlands in Flagstaff (Morrish/Weiskopf) 1988.  IMHO the best of this short lived design team.

[Bill_McBride]

Has anyone played Apache Stronghold in the last little while?

I missed my annual Feb / March trip there this year but the rest of my group spent a week there.  We absolutely love the golf course, tolerate the hotel and dining experience and put up with the maintenance due to our love of the layout.

I understand that the greens were not good this year.  I fully agree, however, that Apache is worth the trip regardless of playing conditions.  All the other years I've been there the greens and tees were in good shape and the fairways struggled.  I will continue to return...it's a wonderful layout.

Can't believe you didn't like the casino and dining....

[David Kelly]

... Apache is worth the trip regardless of playing conditions.  All the other years I've been there the greens and tees were in good shape and the fairways struggled.  I will continue to return...it's a wonderful layout.

I agree.  Not counting his restoration work I have played 11 Doak courses and I would put Apache Stronghold in the top half of what is a very strong list.