Warm Weather Getaways:
June 20th, 2007 | Written by Editor | Category: Golf Vacations |
by Liz Comte Reisman
There is something supernatural about the desert. It hits you when you see the flat, arid landscape pressed up against the Disney-like giant rock formations. Then again at night when the air turns crisp and cool and the stars appear larger and brighter than anywhere else.
golf in the desert is equally surreal. There is an abundance of it in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. I chose The Boulders in Carefree to the north, where the 12-million-year-old rock formations make for intimidating fairway markers.
When driving off one of the many elevated tee boxes, a ball well hit appears to soar and soar, past Black Mountain and the range beyond. Get caught in the rough, however, and reality strikes. Once your ball disappears into the spine of a prickly pear cactus, or one of its relatives, forget it. Despite The Boulders’ desert location, there is plenty of water to be avoided on its two Jay Morrish-designed courses, particularly on the North’s unforgiving 175-yard par-3 14th hole.
An afternoon tee time offers the added bonus of watching a spectacular desert sunset (as well as a leisurely morning at the world-renowned Sonoran Spa). Don’t be surprised if a four-legged creature joins your group in the early evening. Roaming coyotes have been known to pick up a stray ball or two while crossing The Boulders’ fairways.
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