Golfweek Rankings Roundtable with We-Ko-Pa Regulars
The new Golfweek Best in State rankings are in for 2021 and We-Ko-Pa is once again at the top of the list. The Saguaro course designed by world-class architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw retained its No. 1 position once again making it the best public golf course in the state for 14 of the last 15 years. Cholla remains firm at No. 7, making We-Ko-Pa the highest ranked 36-hole facility in the state.
In order to get an inside look into what the rankings mean to different people affiliated with We-Ko-Pa Golf Club β Arizonaβs Ultimate Golf Experience β we sat down with two We-Ko-Pa officials and a We-Ko-Pass holder to host the first ever We-Ko-Pa Rankings Roundtable.
Ryan Kreizenbeck (Ryan)
Director of Maintenance at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Eric Dettman (Eric)
We-Ko-Pa Golf Clubβs Head Golf Professional
Jamie Rice (Jamie)
We-Ko-Pass holder for the last seven years
What do you think is the main reason for We-Ko-Paβs continued rankings success?
Ryan
βMost people would expect me to say the condition of the golf courses, but obviously, itβs more than just superior turf conditioning. That certainly plays a huge part in the rankings. But not all of it.β
Eric
βI would say itβs a commitment to the little things. Itβs easy to fall into a trap and only focus on big things like budgets or courting big groups. But if you do the little things right, the big things take care of themselves.β
Jamie
βOne thing? Tough call. I would say itβs the freedom of being out there in the natural environment. Itβs a calming experience. Too often, even on great golf courses, you feel the houses and buildings pull you back into the rat race. Golf is an escape from the world, and you really feel that in your bones at We-Ko-Pa.β
Do you think travelers and local players take the rankings into account when they are searching for places to play in Scottsdale?
Ryan
βI think it might help some people for sure β especially if this is their first time in the Phoenix area. Iβve been in the game so long and in the Valley for so long, I know from experience where the best tracks are. If youβre from out of town or new to the game, I bet that information helps them make a decision.β
Eric
βOh, without a doubt. There are so many great golf properties here itβs hard to choose from 2,000 miles away. When you see that No. 1, and No. 7 at the same place, it makes it a lot easier.β
Jamie
βI sure hope so. If not, it should. I know I did when I was first scouting out places to play when I moved here from Minnesota.β
How does it make you feel knowing youβre going to work β or play β on Arizonaβs No. 1 golf course and two courses in the Top-10?
Ryan
βProud for sure. Proud of my guys. Proud of the effort they put into this place, but weβre never done. Thatβs just what it is. Thereβs always something to learn β something to improve.β
Eric
βOf course weβre thrilled to have that honor, but weβre more excited about the experience we can offer our guests and the value they receive for their hard-earned money. Itβs more than just the on-course experience to us. Itβs about the whole package. The entire visit has tremendous value and weβre proud of that.β
Jamie
βAre you kidding me? I brag about it all the time! I say to my friends βyou played where? You should have come to We-Ko-Pa. itβs literally the best.ββ
What kind of effort is required to maintain this position for a decade and a half?
Ryan
βI wonβt say the rankings donβt matter, but thatβs not what gets us out of bed at 3 AM. We wouldnβt change our work ethic if no one wrote about it. We appreciate the recognition, but weβre ultimately focused on making We-Ko-Pa better today than it was yesterday.β
Eric
βThe rankings, especially the No. 1 position, is a result of a concerted effort to ensure weβre always providing value in every aspect of the experience. Itβs not something we chase, and the rankings donβt change how we do things. Itβs just a positive result of a commitment to providing tremendous value. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation provides us with phenomenal support and the flexibility to react to trends β both long-term and short-term. Weβre extremely thankful for their assistance and encouragement.β
Jamie
βI imagine it takes a ton of work. As a business owner for 25 years, I knew I had to invest in the right people and make sure there were clear expectations from our employees. And of course you want to always celebrate the success of your staff. When I walk around We-Ko-Pa, I see a lot of the same things that made my business in Minnesota a success.β
How much does course design and/or designer and layout affect the rankings?
Ryan
βI imagine design, layout and overall playability are huge factors in the rankings. Both courses have well-known designers, and they both have an incredible mix of holes β elevation changes, the ability to play different shots. Iβm confident the routing and overall design is one of the chief factors of We-Ko-Paβs rankings success.β
Eric
βA lot. A whole helluva lot. Coore and Crenshaw who designed Saguaro are just about as desirable as any golf course architects in the world right now so that helps. And I would say Cholla is one of Scott Millerβs best designs in the world. Most properties with two or more golf courses have very similar tracks. At We-Ko-Pa, our two tracks are completely different and provide really different golf experiences. Thatβs unique for sure.β
Jamie
βEven my friends who arenβt on social media and donβt read the golf blogs like I do know about Coore/Crenshaw design. Even if the name of the golf course doesnβt ring a bell with them, I tell them about the designer and they canβt wait to play. Iβm sure it makes a huge difference in the rankings.β
One of Golfweekβs ranking criteria is βthe walk in the park test.β How do you think We-Ko-Pa stacks up in that regard?
Ryan
βI know itβs my favorite place to βhikeβ and I get to do it every single day. There arenβt a lot of golf properties in Arizona that are truly out in nature like We-Ko-Pa. Itβs just a different experience.β
Eric
βIf youβre talking about a βwalk in the parkβ test, you have to mention you can actually walk the Saguaro course. It was built for it, and something fairly unique to golf in the desert. I think the βtraditionalβ layout helps add to that part of the criteria for sure.β
Jamie
βWhen Iβm out playing at We-Ko-Pa, Iβm not thinking about anything else. I could try and try to think about my business or my upcoming meetings or doctorβs appointments or whatever, but I canβt. I am fully immersed in the experience. Like nothing else in the world as far as Iβm concerned.β