I played Apache Stronghold and the Outlaw and Chiricahua courses at Desert Mountain last weekend and wanted to update some thoughts.
I don't have a ton to add on Apache Stronghold that hasn't already been said on this board. Its a fantastic design, one of the top five in the state IMO. The conditions are sub-par although perhaps improving. I'd still put it very high on the public listing in A, although the good private clubs that probably slip ahead of it with the conditioning issues IMO. You won't find better for $20 walking anywhere though.
On to Desert Mountain...
Outlaw is possibly the most unique course I've played in Arizona. Its not overseeded and the course plays very firm and fast and is a lot of fun. However, some of the slopes are VERY severe around the greens so the ball can roll a long ways in the wrong direction. Some of the greens are on high spots with fall offs on most sides which can be a little frustrating. It pushes the envelope--the question would be whether that's a good thing or not and I think one has to play it and make that determination for themselves. I think its a course that really requires multiple plays to have a prayer of scoring well. I would recommend it to GCA'ers and anyone that's a strong golfer, but higher handicaps may have more fun elsewhere. I can see how most members at Desert Mountain find it too severe, although the better players seem to like it. Its a players course. The 3rd, 5th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 16th stood out to me as my favorite holes from one viewing.
Chiricahua is much more like some of the other private clubs in the area--overseeded, green, interaction with the desert, etc. Its a very fine golf course, especially the back nine (save perhaps the tee shot on the 15th). I really like the stretch of 10-12, and then the final three are very good as well. I would put it in my top 10 in the state, but not #1 like Matt. I think its fairly comparable (but a little behind) to The Estancia Club. Still highly recommended.