We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course (480) 836-9000
Arizona Golf Course Review
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.
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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