DUKE AT RANCHO ELDORADO
Arizona Golf Course Review
Preview/Review
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The Duke at Rancho Eldorado
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The Duke - Hole #3
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The Duke at Rancho Eldorado in Maricopa (near Chandler) is owned and managed by Ahwatukee Golf
Properties which also runs the beautiful Ahwatukee Country Club. The Duke opened for public play in January
2003, and the new clubhouse inaugurated their operation in September of 2004. The prices to play this course
are mid-range, and year round are very good values for this area. In fact great off season rates are available,
and "Summer Round-Up" cardholders receive incredible benefits for themselves and guests from May through
September 30th. A "Saddle Club" annual pass is also available. Contact the Duke at the phone number above for more info.
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Hole #18 at The Duke
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Patio Dining at The Duke
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The facilities at the Duke include a beautiful clubhouse that provides a nice package of amenities. This includes
a beautiful, spacious pro shop plus the Silver Spur Grill - open with a full breakfast and lunch menu daily, plus
dinner Wednesday thru Saturday. There is a double ended fireplace indoors, plus another one outdoors on an
expansive and comfortably appointed patio. There is seating for 75 people in the restaurant, and outings and
special events with groups of 140 or more can be accommodated. Throughout the clubhouse, there are great
views of the golf course. Practice facilities include putting, short game and driving areas - with complimentary usage included in all membership packages.
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Hole #13 at The Duke
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The Duke - Hole #14
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The golf course is extremely nice - especially when taking the price structure into consideration. There are
plentiful desert waste areas, and most fairways are seas of green planted in a landscaped desert environment.
The grounds are thoughtfully cared for, and are especially inviting near the clubhouse. Most fairways provide
generous landing zones, and the forced carries over desert are not too demanding. In fact - we should say this
about the opening hole...If you do not land on this expansive fairway off the first tee - you do not deserve to be
playing golf - you are a bad golfer! Pick up your ball, drive back to your car and unload your clubs...this game is
not for you. Your momma and your daddy should probably not play either, and your friends may elect to wear
bags over their heads. In other words, there is quite a bit of room (of course, I hooked my tee shot into the desert
). Having said this, be aware that a desert area crosses the fairway before the green, which means you will have
to drive over it or lay up on your second shot of this par five. The second hole is also rather spacious. If you do
not have the opportunity to hit some balls prior to your round, don't worry...the two opening holes will allow for some warming up.
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The 15th hole at The Duke
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The Duke - Hole #5
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From there the course gets interesting, with strategic bunkering on the fairways and greenside, a few water hazards, some desert carries, and undulations that will challenge your shot-making abilities. The conditioning
from tee to green on our visit in mid-June was outstanding. Golfers will be able to choose from 4 sets of tees that
play to 7011 yards/120 slope, 6536 yards/117 slope, 5914 yards/110 slope for men and 126 for women, and
5136 yards with a slope of 117. The course is well marked with the Kirby yardage system in place (markers
every 25 yards from 250-75 yards away), and measurements are also provided near the cart paths about every
20 yards or so. The 150 yard stakes in the center of the fairways also double as directional devices. Pin
placement sheets are posted at the front of each cart to indicate the day's hole locations. Players of all skill
levels should find this a fun experience - and one that is not overly difficult. The course is aesthetically pleasing - as these photos, taking in the heat of summer, indicate.
For more information on the Duke at Rancho Eldorado, visit our page for them with a link to their website, on our Arizona golf course listing by clicking here.
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