We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course
Arizona Golf Course Review - 6/19/02 -
Located on the eastern edge of Scottsdale on land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, We
-Ko-Pa (translation - four Peaks Mountain) Golf Club - Cholla Course is an incredible layout featuring jaw-dropping views on every shot. Opened in December 2001, this championship Scott miller desert
design is amongst the best conditioned courses in Arizona, with immaculate green fairways, perfectly
sculpted sand bunkers, aesthetically pleasing tee areas and quick, true-rolling greens. Natural serenity
abounds, as no homes, roads or commercial developments mar the picture perfect setting - nor will they
ever. Named #2 public access course in Arizona - Golf Week's America's Best 2006. 2006-07 Zagat
Survey of America's Top Golf Courses: Highest overall course rating in Arizona. Voted #1 Public Course - Phoenix/Scottsdale by local PGA Professionals - Desert Golf Magazine - October/November
2003. For info on stay and play packages at the nearby 250 room Radisson Resort, click on this link: www.radissonfortmcdowellresort.com
On property is a luxurious 21,000 square foot clubhouse that is designed by award-winning architect Douglas Fredrickson. There is a full service restaurant, bar and private conference room. A state of the
art golf shop with the latest fashion merchandise is complimented by the dining area that also features an outdoor patio with dramatic views of the surrounding desert and mountains. A comprehensive
practice facility includes 2 putting greens, a short game area and an expansive grass range. The setting and facilities are ideal for corporate outings, receptions and for golf groups of all sizes.
On first impression the layout may look intimidating. This is a course that you will want to play repeatedly
- perhaps as a regular stop on a golf vacation in this area. On the second time around, you will play with
greater confidence, as We-Ko-Pa is more playable than it appears to be from the tee boxes. Though you are constantly surrounded by desert, there is often more landing area that it seems. A great variety
of shot selections will keep you on your toes, as there is a good mix of straight holes and doglegs, and
of easy and challenging green complexes. On the toughest holes there is often a fair amount of "bail out" area for those not wishing to push their luck.
The opening hole is an easy beginner. Lay up towards the center of the fairway for an easy approach on
this short par four (312 yards from the mid tees). Aim over the top of the tallest tree on the par five 2nd. It
is possible to drive through the fairway if you are too far left off the tee. The approach is downhill and
quite narrow. The beautiful par three 3rd is all carry over desert. There is ample room long, but only 10
yards of grass between the hazard and the front of the putting surface. Number four is more open than it
looks. Aim just right of the tall saguaro and you will find an easy downhill second shot to your liking. The
fifth could be considered a signature hole, as this pretty, mid-length par three is tucked into a small box
canyon. A beautiful mountain background makes this picture frame-able. The sixth has lots of room, but
a deep fairway and greenside bunker will test your shot-making ability. This is another gorgeous golf
hole. Seven is uphill all the way. Hit just right of the desert island for the best approach on this hole, which
invites birdie opportunities. Aim along the desert line on the right side on the long par five eighth. There
is a 45-degree dogleg to that side, with the approach playing tightly downhill. There is a deep bunker left
and mounds right of the putting surface - a very tough shot! The ninth is a beautiful, short par 4, with bunkers and water far right and desert to the left.
The tenth is also a tight driving hole. Stay left of the tree in the center of the fairway for the best approach
here. Bunkers guarding the green on three sides present the challenge on the long par 3 eleventh. The
putting surface is slightly elevated. Aim towards the bunker on the left side of the fairway on the par four
12th, as anything right will leave you with a blind shot to the green. Thirteen provides plenty of room all
the way, with one menacing bunker greenside to deal with. This is followed by another beautiful par three
, that plays downhill with lots of room short and right. The 4 par threes at We-Ko-Pa are the 14th, 15th,
17th and 18th handicaps, so it is possible for good iron players to post some low numbers here .Long
hitters will love what they see off the tee on 15. It is possible to drive the green - especially from the
whites, which play at 272 yards. There is enough room on both sides that many players will go for it.
Reaching the green is half the battle however, as this putting surface is the largest one on the course.
Number 16 is wide open, but a desert arroyo 150 yards out (20 yards long) on this gentle dogleg left will
make you think about placing your tee shot accurately. The par five 17th also bends to the left. Aim to
the right side of the cart path off the tee and settle for a three shot approach to the elevated putting
surface. A mountain backdrop also makes this hole quite spectacular. The finishing hole is a beauty.
Water right and sand 185 yards out to the left will challenge shots from an elevated tee. The hazard also is present 150 yards from the green.
Once our round was complete, our group decided We-Ko-Pa was much more playable than we originally thought. The top slope rating of 130 from the tips bears this out. The incredible desert and
mountain views, along with top-notch service and amenities make this course a pleasure to play. All the
tee boxes have yardage info measured to the center of the green, and sprinkler heads are also marked. Pin placement sheets helped immensely with club selection. The 4 sets of tee boxes, measuring 7225,
6740, 6114 and 5289 yards, accommodate the skill levels of a wide spectrum of abilities. When told We
-Ko-Pa was "cart path only", our group was a little taken aback. During the course of the round, we found
our fears to be totally unfounded however. On a busy day our foursome finished 18 holes in less than 3 hours and 40 minutes - a very enjoyable pace. We give We-Ko-Pa's Cholla Course our highest
recommendation. It is as picturesque a layout as you will find in Arizona. The conditioning could not be
much better. It is has already been awarded the 2002 Development of the Year by Golf Inc. Magazine, which is the nation's leading publication for golf course owners, managers and developers. GOLF
Magazine lists We-Ko-Pa at #38 on its 2004-2005 list of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S.A.
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf detailed listing page with a link (if available) to this course's website.
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