We-Ko-Blog

Long known as one of the best tracks in Arizona since the first tee shot in 2006, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro course is now getting the national recognition it deserves. Just last May, Golf Digest announced its “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” with We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro course coming in at No. 98 – one of only two Arizona courses on the list.

The opening hole on We-Ko-Pa’s Cholla course makes an unforgettable first impression – for several reasons. The most obvious upon arrival at the tee box is its visually appealing natural setting. The elevated vantage point overlooks untouched Sonoran Desert as the fairway sweeps from right to left with a backdrop dominated by Red Mountain. The ride down from the tee box through thick desert, which just served as the “carry,” usually flushes a covey of quail among other critters. It’s the first glimpse of what many consider to be one the best golf experiences in the Scottsdale area.

When you think Arizona golf, you have to think We-Ko-Pa. Take a look at this video showcasing We-Ko-Pa’s exceptional service, perfect playing conditions and everything in-between.

With 36 holes of Arizona’s best golf to choose from, picking a favorite hole at We-Ko-Pa is like telling your children which one you love more, so we opted to highlight individual characteristics rather than pick one above the rest. To that end, here is the first installment of the We-Ko-Blog Featured Holes beginning with the recently renovated, Cholla No. 8.

For golfers, the summer months are a bit different out here in the Valley of the Sun compared to the rest of the country. Just as our friends in Minnesota are dusting off their drivers and dialing in their iron game in preparation for June and July, Phoenix-area locals are installing misters and finding shade at all costs.

Either of We-Ko-Pa’s two award-winning tracks – Cholla and Saguaro – give our players an Arizona golf experience unlike anything else, but our friends at Golfweek have a special place in their hearts for the Saguaro course, and for good reason.

If you know We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, you know it’s a bucket-list course for any golfer. But even if you’re a frequent flyer of We-Ko-Pa’s two award-winning courses, you might not know of another adventure you need to immediately add to your bucket list – Sami’s Amethyst Mine.

We all remember the days where we could wake up, roll out of bed and hit the first tee without fear of pulling a hammy. But for most of us, those days are gone and we need to take our pre-round warmup seriously. That doesn’t mean you need to do jumping jacks or Pilates on the range before you dial in your 60 degree, but it does mean you should dedicate a few minutes to get the blood pumping and knock the dust off your joints to get that extra distance off the tee. Give this routine a try and you’ll thank us later.

Social media has changed the way we communicate. The tradition of chatting with guests across the golf shop counter is just so 20th century. Although nothing can replace face-to-face interactions, social media allows for lively conversations well after guests have left the building. The responses to the recent renovation of Cholla are a great example. We couldn’t be more pleased with the steady stream of positive feedback since reopening in late October.

While out on the Saguaro course shooting footage for one of our seasonal television commercials, the film crew got a little wake-up call from our video “talent,” a.k.a. golf pros. The plan was to get a shot of the guys in the fairway hitting shots to the 14th green

As anyone who has played We-Ko-Pa Golf Club will tell you, one of the many things it has going for it is the incredible natural surroundings. The golf facility is located on an untouched piece of Sonoran Desert on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation minutes from Scottsdale.

At the end of August, a video production crew assembled by longtime pals John Vasseur and Terry O’Neal set out to capture the spectacular views that golfers at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club have been enjoying for the last 15 years. We decided to tag along to produce a behind-the-scenes clip of them in action.