Enjoy spring break baseball in Scottsdale with The Phoenician resort's golf packages

It seems like just yesterday my son and I were marveling at the MVP season of Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers. It’s hard to believe that spring training is just weeks away.

There’s snow on the ground here in Michigan, but warm-weather locales are gearing up for the spring training rush of teams and fans. The Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., has wisely rolled out several golf packages catering to baseball lovers.

The Diamond and Rookie packages are both available March 2-April 4, 2012, and include luxury accommodations; shuttle service to/from Old Town Scottsdale – located one block from Scottsdale Stadium and by the local shopping district; a special welcome amenity; one appetizer at Relish Burger Bistro after the games, with ticket stub, and one round of golf. The Rookie Package also features a half-day at the Funician Kids Club for one child and one in-room family movie. The Diamond Package starts at $749 per night; the Rookie Package at $639 per night.

I got my first taste of the Phoenician two weeks ago during the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It’s a classy place right at the foot of Camelback Mountain. The kids will love the pools. The Centre For Well Being and restaurants like Il Terrazzo will win over mom and dad. The 27-hole golf course is brilliantly scenic, yet infinitely challenging. I almost aced a par-3 on the Canyon nine, so the setting definitely inspired my game.

As much as I hate to admit it – being a die-hard Tigers fan – I’d rather go to spring training in Scottsdale to see the San Francisco Giants play than go to Lakeland, Fla., to see the Tigers and their new hero, Prince Fielder. The roster of Scottsdale golf courses – Troon North, Grayhawk, We-Ko-Pa, The Boulders, Talking Stick, TPC Scottsdale – are too good to turn down.