DMB, the developer of Verrado, a master planned community in Buckeye, AZ, home of The Raven at Verrado, a very good public course, is planning an "active adult" community with a golf course. DMB has developed such high end residential clubs as Silverleaf (Weiskopf) in Scottsdale ; Kukui‘ula Club (Weiskopf) in Poipu, Hawaii; Martis Camp (Fazio) inTruckee, California;Glenwild Golf Club(Fazio) in Park City, Utah; The Santaluz Club(Rees Jones) in San Diego, California; The Country Club at DC Ranch (Lehman) in Scottsdale, Arizona; Lahontan Golf Club (Weiskopf) in Truckee, California and Forest Highlands (Weiskopf/Morrish) in Flagstaff, AZ.
This will be DMB's first "active adult" (55+) community. I don't know if an architect has been chosen but DMB had a focus group last week which I attended. Here was my input on building a "senior friendly" golf course:
1. No longer than 64-6500y with 3 or 4 tee boxes.
2. Par 4s no longer than 400y or 380y.
3. Par 3s no longer than 160y or 170y.
4. Limited forced carries.
5. Few fairway bunkers.
6. Greenside bunkers with limited, if any, raised lips.
7. No "roller coaster" greens.
8. does not have to be par 72(10,4&4). Can be par 70 or even 68 or 69.
They do not want another "championship" course at more than 7000y and will be offering a dual membership with Raven or a single membership at the new course.
Bear in mind that many senior golfers (myself among them at 68) are not bombers off the tee. A 200-225 y drive is a good thing for me these days. I like downwind holes.
What does the Treehouse think of this?