AGUILA GOLF COURSE (602-866-8076)
Arizona Golf Course Review 12/17/06
The municipality of Phoenix is the owner/operator of a nice variety of quality and value oriented 18-hole
golf properties, including Papago, Maryvale, Encanto Park, Cave Creek and Aguila golf courses. There
also are three 9-hole layouts. Besides the fact that these courses are easily accessible, golfers will also
appreciate the pricing structure that makes a round on these properties a good value on an Arizona golf
vacation. Visitors can click on the following link, to find pricing and to book a tee time online at any of the Phoenix municipal golf facilities http://phoenix.gov/sports/gfees.html
The photos in this review are of the Aguila Golf Course, which is the latest addition to the Phoenix
Municipal courses. Gary Panks designed this 6.5 million 210-acre facility which features both an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole par three course. With scenic mountain views and Phoenix's
downtown skyline as backdrops, Aguila provides a wonderful golf experience for all levels of players.
Both layouts feature significant bunkering and meandering transition areas filled with native grasses and desert wildflowers.
The championship design features continuous cart paths and 4 sets of tees, with three lakes providing hazards on five of the holes. Tiff eagle greens and 419 Bermuda fairways provide outstanding playing
surfaces along a very rolling terrain. The 59 sand bunkers located greenside and near the landing zones
of the fairways are quite deep and penal in nature - particularly off the tee. Land in one and you may as well add a stroke. During winter months, the Bermuda rough goes dormant, proving an aesthetically
pleasing color contrast throughout the course.
The putting surfaces were in outstanding condition during our December visit, and the raised green
complexes, like the landing zones on the fairways, are player friendly. Mild undulations are evident on the
greens, and though mounds and bunkers often form the perimeters, there is usually plenty of room for recovery. Four sets of tees play to distances and slopes measuring 6962 yards/129 slope, 6403
yards/123 slope, 5952 yards/115 slope for men and 124 for women, and 5442 yards with a slope of 118 for ladies playing from the forward tees. On course yardages are posted at 100, 150 and 200 yards, and
color coded flags indicate front, middle and back hole locations.
Located off I-10 south of Phoenix and north of Tucson - this is an outstanding golf course - and our
favorite of the five municipal courses. It is a value experience that is worth the drive! On property is a
well stocked pro shop featuring apparel, shoes, clubs, bags and golf accessories. The Eagle's Nest Cafe features a grill menu for breakfast and lunch and is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Beer and
wine are also available. There is indoor seating for 50 people, while an outdoor tent can accommodate
up to 144 guests for outings and events. Practice facilities are extensive, and include 30 turf and 24
artificial turf teeing stations on a 350 yard long range, a short game area with sand bunker, plus putting
green. Golf clinics and lessons are available, and the Aguila Youth Learning Center is a state of the art facility that provides instruction in all facets of the game.
If you are going to be in Phoenix for awhile, the Phoenix card is available ($50 fee and $30 annual renewal) and provides advance tee time reservations, discounted rates and promotional specials at all
of the municipal courses. For more information on the golf course and programs, visit our page for Papago and Phoenix municipal golf , with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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