Golf Views

About a month ago I had the opportunity to play one of the most serene and amazing golf courses in the Southwest, at the Boulders Golf Club North Course. The Boulders is a 2008 Golf Magazine Platinum Medal Award winning resort, featuring two stunning and challenging golf courses. Both golf courses are nestled in the tranquil beauty of the high Sonoran desert and the 12-million year old granite boulder formations that dot the landscape.

On my visit I was able to play the North Course, a 6,811-yard, par 72 Jay Morrish designed championship golf course. The North Course is the older of the two courses and features bent grass with spectacular views of Black Mountain as the course meanders through the Boulders community.  Both courses are built right into the desert foothills and offer breathtaking panoramas - including stunning boulder formations, striking Sonoran Desert sunsets and natural desert terrain.

The North Course

One of the first things I noticed at this course was the beauty of my surroundings, the background of the mountains and rock formations make this course unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Living in Chicago, I don’t get to play in such beautiful and natural surroundings like these. The terrain varies from hole-to-hole, the first hole is a challenging 513 yard Par 5, featuring some of the nastiest desert brush and cactus directly in front of the tee box. Not only do you have to clear that type of hazard once, you have to clear a similar hazard a second time, 181 yards from the pin. Even the par 3 holes are very challenging, the 142 yard par 3 6th hole  is a heavily guarded pin that is surrounded by bunkers directly in front, to the left, and behind the green. The 18th hole is a 424 yard par 4 that has pretty wide open fairway which doglegs right and features a water hazard on the left side of the upper part of the fairway. What I loved about playing at Boulders is how each hole was challenging, yet fun at the same time. My only advice to anyone playing the Boulders North or South Course is bring plenty of extra golf balls. It’s so easy to lose your ball when you hit it into the surrounding desert brush that is found on every hole.

Amenities

Boulders Golf Club offers a wide array of amenities that make this a premiere golf destination.

Full range facilities including an all-grass driving range, chipping greens, practice bunkers and putting greens.

Golf Academy with lessons from Donald Crawley, ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Teachers in America. He is also recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers in Arizona.

Full Service Pro Shop; locker rooms, and access to the golf club swimming pool.

At the end of your round enjoy a message at The Golden Door Spa.

The staff at Boulders were top notch.  From the starter to the cart girls, everyone was extremely friendly and helpful.

The next time your in Scottsdale, Arizona, make sure to book a tee time at the Boulders Golf Club, you’ll be glad you did. I can’t wait to return and play the South Course.

More information http://www.bouldersclub.com