Two We–Ko–Pa Courses Earn Top–10 Recognition in Golfweek’s 2026 Public–Access Rankings
Every year, Golfweek sends a panel of raters across the country to evaluate public–access golf courses state by state. They play the courses. They score them. They debate them. And every year, when they get to Arizona – one of the deepest, most competitive public golf markets in the country – We–Ko–Pa Golf Club finds itself at the top of the conversation.
The 2026 rankings are out. The Saguaro Course is ranked No. 1 in Arizona. The Cholla Course is ranked No. 8. In a state with no shortage of world–class public golf, We–Ko–Pa holds two spots among Arizona’s Top 10 public–access golf courses.
We’ll let that breathe for a second.
What It Takes to Be No. 1 in Arizona
Arizona isn’t just a great golf state – it’s one of the premier golf destinations in the world.
From Scottsdale to Tucson to Flagstaff and everywhere in between, golfers have an abundance of exceptional public courses to choose from. Golfweek’s panelists know these courses well. They evaluate architecture, conditioning, routing, strategy, memorability, and the overall golf experience.
Topping that list isn’t a matter of being the newest course or generating the most buzz.It’s about being consistently exceptional, year after year. That’s what makes this recognition so meaningful.
For us, the ranking is less about a number and more about what it represents: a commitment to delivering a golf experience that respects the land, challenges the player, and remains true to the spirit of the game.
The Saguaro Difference
Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Saguaro has developed a reputation as one of the purest golf experiences in the Southwest.
The layout encourages creativity. The wide fairways reward strategy over brute force. The walkability recalls the game’s roots. And the setting – surrounded by untouched Sonoran Desert and dramatic mountain vistas – creates an experience that feels distinctly different from anywhere else in Arizona.
Being recognized as Arizona’s top public–access golf course is an incredible honor, especially considering the company it keeps.
One Property. Two Top–10 Courses.
While Saguaro claimed the top spot, Cholla once again earned its place among Arizona’s elite.
Designed by Scott Miller, Cholla offers a contrasting challenge with dramatic elevation changes, memorable risk–reward opportunities, and a championship-caliber test that has earned praise from golfers for nearly two decades.
Together, the two courses showcase what makes We–Ko–Pa unique: two completely different golf experiences sharing the same spectacular desert landscape.
Grateful for the Recognition
While rankings are never the reason we do what we do, they are a welcome reminder that attention to detail matters.
From the agronomy team that maintains championship conditions every day to the golf operations staff who welcome guests from around the world, countless people contribute to the We–Ko–Pa experience.
Most importantly, we owe our gratitude to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, whose vision and stewardship have preserved this remarkable landscape and allowed golfers to experience the Sonoran Desert as it was meant to be experienced.
To everyone who has played Saguaro or Cholla, thank you for being part of our story.
And if you haven’t visited yet, there’s never been a better time to experience Arizona’s No. 1 public–access golf course – and its No. 8–ranked sibling – all in one unforgettable destination.
