I am lucky enough to have played golf in almost 50 countries all over the world including 1,000 courses in Britain and Ireland. But until just three months ago my tally in the States was a surprisingly feeble 20 courses.
Of these, the only really big name was Torrey Pines in California. Possibly English Turn, for those of you who used to watch the New Orleans Open a very long time ago.
I was therefore delighted to accept an invitation from Experience Scottsdale to play a handful of courses there, including the host of this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.
While it gets super-hot in the Summer months, buggy play is pretty much the norm here, so it’s a year-round destination packed with plenty to do both on and off the course.
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)
The island green on the spectacular par-5 15th
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Let’s start with the course that is staging this week’s PGA Tour event, one that reputedly attracts the largest crowds in world golf.
Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish were engaged to design something specifically to host the Phoenix Open, a historic tournament which dates right back to 1931.
The event moved here in 1987 and has returned ever since producing winners such as Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, although oddly not Tiger Woods!
Sand guards the corner of the dogleg on the par-4 6th
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The opening holes run adjacent to some prime real estate that includes the excellent Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel. You constantly change direction, but what surprised me most on the front nine was that there is no water.
Instead, there are dry gulches, and plenty of waste bunkers, and I was pleased to par three of the opening holes, including the only par 5 on the way out, the 3rd.
The 14th at TPC Scottsdale is a really strong par 4
(Image credit: TPC Scottsdale)
It’s the back nine where the course really takes off, with more changes in elevation, and water in play on the majority of the holes. The tough par-4 11th runs alongside a lake which then almost…
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