Either of We-Ko-Pa’s two award-winning tracks – Cholla or 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. Here are five things that helped Saguaro earn Golfweek’s No. 1 ranking in Best Courses You Can Play: State By State.
Coore Crenshaw Design
The world-renowned design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed and built the Saguaro course around the philosophy that traditional, strategic golf is the most rewarding. Saguaro doesn’t play like “desert golf,” but rather encourages players to play different shots and find solutions to new challenges much like the links courses in the UK.
Immaculate Conditions
You won’t find a single under-maintained golf course in the top 50, let alone the top-10. But to take the top spot in Golfweek’s best, you have to be perfect. Every inch of both of We-Ko-Pa’s tracks is meticulously maintained from tee to green and everything in between. We-Ko-Pa’s agronomy team is as dedicated as they are talented, and are constantly thinking about new and more efficient ways to enhance the player’s experience.
”I think this golf course will be pretty unique for the desert. People will be induced to play different shots and find solutions to new challenges when playing this course.
Ben Crenshaw
Riding in Style
Last year, We-Ko-Pa upgraded our golf-cart fleet to include 160 new Precedent i3 model golf carts, the same model which won Golf Digest’s 2016 Editors’ choice award for best golf car. Forget about expensive range finders that pick up the group in front of you instead of the pin, these carts have fully integrated, touch-screen GPS systems to give the player hole layouts, yardage graphics, carry distances and can even communicate directly with the golf shop. And to top it all off, they even have USB ports to charge your electronic devices.
These Boots are Made for Walking
So you’re a traditionalist. Good! Saguaro was built for you. Greens and tees were designed close together, and walkways lead the player from the tee box directly to the fairway. In addition to improved health from walking Saguaro, golfers who regularly walk the course tend to have a better understanding of the topography of the lie and have more time to think about their next shot. The result? Target awareness, correct club selection, increased rhythm and, of course, lower scores.
No Houses Anywhere
Part of what makes Scottsdale, Arizona a world-class golf destination is the unbridled beauty of the Sonoran Desert. The natural sloping landscapes, incredible plants and wildlife and storybook sunsets aren’t found anywhere else in the world. But all too often, you’ll find Scottsdale fairways lined with so many homes the course should be named Condo Canyon. Not at We-Ko-Pa. The only thing you’ll notice playing the Saguaro course is the sights and sounds of nature.
