Monday, June 18, 2007

You can't talk about Scottsdale without talking about golf. With over 300 days of sunshine and warm weather, beautiful scenery, and fabulous hotels, Scottsdale, Arizona is known as a preeminent vacation destination in the world for golf. There are over 50 golf courses in Scottsdale and more than 200 golf courses in the surrounding area that draw avid fans and professionals from around the country.

More than 100 golf tour professionals call the Scottsdale area home, including Tom Lehman, Paul Casey, Kirk Triplett, Billy Mayfair, Andrew Magee, and Tim Herron. Scottsdale also features some of the finest golf instructors: Golf Digest named four golf instructors in Scottsdale among its "50 Greatest Instructors," and seven Scottsdale golf instructors made the Top 100 list at Golf Magazine.

With so much to offer, it's no wonder that golfers find the Valley of the Sun irresistible. Here are just a few of the favorite Scottsdale golf experiences.

The Kierland Golf Club features 27 holes of very playable golf on three courses -- Mesquite, the Ironwood and the Acacia -- designed by Scott Miller. Emerald green fairways are etched into golden-colored desert grasses, sweeping over constantly changing elevations to flawless bentgrass greens. More than three hundred bunkers guard the way, along with lakes, dry desert washes and strands of desert trees. In the distance is craggy Pinnacle Peak. In fact, standing in the lobby of the Westin Kierland, you can actually look out the wall of glass at the ninth hole of the Acacia. The Kierland Golf Club also hosts the Golf Digest Golf School at Kierland. FORE-MAX Golf Training Systems, an exclusive golf fitness program at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, is designed to improve accuracy and distance off the tee while enhancing an overall fitness lifestyle.

Long considered one of Arizona's most-renowned golf venues, Orange Tree continues to be hailed as one of "Arizona's must play golf courses." Designed in 1957 by Arizona legend Johnny Bulla, Orange Tree boasts 18 holes of lush tree-lined tranquil beauty and strategic challenges. Mature vegetation, expansive fairways, gently sloping greens, over 100 sand traps and mountain vistas are graced by water on six of the holes, offering an excellent test for players of all skill levels. The beautiful trees also protect golfers from the afternoon heat.

One of the most well-known courses in Scottsdale is Tournament Player's Club of Scottsdale, home of the Phoenix Open. Set in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by the majestic McDowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale, a PGA TOUR Facility, embodies the standards of excellence in golf operations worldwide. The Stadium Course, designed by the team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is a masterful blend of challenge and playability for the enjoyment of all levels of golfers, professional and amateur alike.

Built on the western slope of Scottsdale's McDowell, Sanctuary is a stunning 18-hole daily-fee golf course designed by Randy Heckenkemper. The 6,624-yard, par-71 layout provides a haven for native plants and wildlife.

The Grayhawk Golf Club boasts two fabulous courses: the Talon -- designed by David Graham and Gary Panks -- made Golf Magazine's "Top 10 You Can Play" roll, and the Raptor was designed by the revered Tom Fazio.

Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore were the designers at Talking Stick Golf Club. Located in the East Valley near Phoenix, the links-style North Course is a stimulating design that includes great views of Camelback Mountain, wide fairways, no trees, natural-appearing bunkers and an opportunity to score well.

Designed by Roy Dye and Gary Grandstaff in 1983 and redesigned in 1987 by Arthur Hills' design team, the course at Stonecreek Golf winds its way through Paradise Valley, framed by mountain views. Stonecreek received a 4-star "Places to Play" rating from Golf Digest.

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed the Troon North Monument Course in 1989. A second course, the Pinnacle, opened in 1995. Troon North Monument is Golf Digest's #4 in Arizona and #1 in Arizona by Golf Magazine and Golfweek.

Opened in 1995 in Scottsdale, Legend Trail Golf Club is an upscale course and is playable for all abilities. Legend Trail is the first Arizona design by acclaimed architect Rees Jones , with great views of Pinnacle Peak and the Sonoran Desert. Golf Magazine rated the course 88th in their "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S." and Golf Digest rated it as the 15th "Best in State." The McLean Golf Academy is also located on site.

If you are traveling to Scottsdale, CRSHotels.com has the perfect hotel for you. Stay and play at the Westin Kierland Villas, offering fully-equipped vacation villas and luxurious amenities and services, close to the Kierland Golf Club; or at the Orange Tree Golf Resort (check out the special deal below) with all of the amenities of a first-class golf resort, and beautifully-appointed non-smoking suites. Choose the Sheraton Desert Oasis, located in the heart of North Scottsdale, one mile from Tournament Player's Club, a remarkable place to relax and unwind; or Resort Suites Scottsdale, steps away from the TPC of Scottsdale and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and just minutes from the finest championship golf courses, as well as some of the best restaurants, shopping, nightclubs and attractions in Scottsdale. Enjoy the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center, with spectacular views of fairways, gardens and pools, and a staff that can arrange tee times at any of 30 Valley of the Sun golf courses, including the two 18-hole championship courses adjacent to the hotel.

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