STARFIRE AT SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY CLUB
(480-948-6000)
Arizona Golf Course Review 2/23/05
Formerly known simply as Scottsdale Country Club, Starfire boasts three nine-hole golf courses - the King, The Hawk and the Squire. All three designs play along a level terrain with wonderful landscaping,
conditioning and service. Starfire joins courses such as the Legacy and Silverado, along with many good value courses in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area as part of the In Celebration of Golf Management
Company. ICOG as operates one of the vicinity's top golf stores under the title name, located in North Scottsdale.
On property at Starfire is a full service clubhouse with pro shop, meeting/banquet rooms, outdoor terrace
and restaurant lounge that serves full menus for breakfast and lunch. There is complimentary short game
area, where golfers can warm up (wedges only) by using their own balls and retrievers. Targets stretch to over 100 yards. There also is a practice green for putting and chipping.
The three layouts are known mostly for their strong and beautiful par threes, many of which demand carries over water hazards. The photos immediately above and below indicate the beauty and challenge
of these holes. Numbers 2, 4 and 8 on the King and holes 8 and 9 on the Squire are particularly interesting. We were unable to review the Hawk nine on our visit, as a tournament was ongoing.
The slope ratings range from 102 to 123, indicating that this is a playable experience for all levels of golfers. Four sets of tees are available on each course, and the longest yardage for a combined 18
holes is 6113 yards. The King plays to 3253 yards (alternate sets 3008, 2724 and 2418); the Hawk plays to 2840 yards (alternate sets 2622, 2360 and 2049); the Squire plays to 2758 yards (alternate
sets 2559, 2374 and 2050). This is a course where most players will automatically choose the tips - but beware, there are some long par threes from the back tees (197, 203 and 232 yards).
On course yardages are posted on fairway blocks and on the cart paths at 100, 150 and 200 yards, with 150 yard stakes doubling as directional devices on all par fours and fives. The tee boxes provide
measurements to the center of the green on all par threes. Starfire is an aesthetically pleasing golf
experience, and with a good, central location is convenient locals and visitors alike. For more info on the course, visit our page for Starfire, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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