FEATURE STORY
Double whammy:
Can't beat a
golf,
spring training vacation
By Brendan McEvoy,
Contributing Editor
At the conclusion of the 2003 World Series, the Texas Rangers dominated the headlines with talk of trading Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox. When that trade fell through, the fans and media expected to see Rodriguez playing in the Arizona's Cactus League this March for spring training.
But in a shocking turn of events, Rodriguez was shipped to the New York Yankees just days before pitchers and catchers reported. And unless the basement-dwelling Rangers could pull off one of the greatest upsets of all time and win the World Series in 2004, the only surprise left in this season is where they make their spring training home -- Surprise, Ariz.
The Rangers are the exception to the rule in the Cactus League. While they're rebuilding, half of the teams that make Arizona their home for Spring Training are just trying to keep a good thing going. Six Cactus League teams have made the playoffs at least once in the last three years. And three teams that haven't -- Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres -- will be formidable threats to the perennial powers this season.
For the month of March, Major Leaguers from 12 ball clubs will work out in the 80-degree dry heat of Arizona. They'll be more accessible to fans than at any regular season venue. Future Hall of Famers, like Barry Bonds, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Vladimir Guerrero and Ichiro Suzuki, will be on display, fine tuning their skills. Tickets to games cost as little as $2. Great seats at most parks top out at $25. Basically, it's a baseball fan's dream world that also happens to take place in a golfer's paradise.
Golf and baseball are two of America's most passionate past times. Only Florida and Arizona could stake a claim to have the best of both worlds -- both states host spring training and have world-class golf. But Phoenix and Tucson have a leg up: Dry heat wins over humidity and rain is less prevalent than it is in Florida.
Below is a short summary of where each team plays, and where you should stay and play during your preseason tune-up through the Cactus League.
Mesa
Chicago Cubs
Key moves: Acquired RHP Greg Maddux
First home game: March 4 vs. Giants
Tickets: $5-$16, call (800) 905-3315.
Ho-Ho-Kam Park: From Phoenix, take 202 Loop to Exit 12, McKellips Road. Turn right onto McKellips. Turn right onto North Center Street. Park is on the left.
Best bet: Longbow Golf Club, located at 5601 East Longbow Parkway in Mesa, re-opened in November after a major redesign and is considered one of the best values in the Phoenix area. The course has 13 new holes, tops out over 7,000 yards and is challenging but playable. Golfers are treated to flybys of old war planes before they land at Falcon Field just miles away and scenic views of Red Mountain. While most desert golf results in lost balls for the mid to high handicapper, Longbow has sculpted washes filled with crushed granite which catch wayward shots. Balls off the beaten path are easy to find.
Solid seconds: Las Sendas Golf Club, located at 7555 E. Eagle Crest Drive in the desert uplands at the east end of town, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Lots of mountain scenery here plus a tough course - 6,874 yards from the back tees with a slope of 142 and a rating of 73.5. Beware of the greens, which are fast and undulating.
Only a short drive from Mesa, Ocotillo Golf Club is a 27-hole design with a wild collection of waterscapes concocted by golf architect Ted Robinson. The Chandler course located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Drive has so many canals and lakes that you could pick Ocotillo up and move it to Florida and it would fit right in.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: To soak up more baseball atmosphere, the Best Western Dobson Ranch Inn, is a great choice. It serves as headquarters for the coaches, executives and some Cubs players. The inn is a 10-acre resort with about 200 rooms and has a Western flavor. It's located at 1666 S. Dobson Road in Mesa. Call (800) 528-1356. Another possibility is Country Inn and Suites at 6650 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Mesa. Call (800) 456-4000 for reservations.
Phoenix
Milwaukee Brewers
First home game: March 4 vs. Athletics
Key moves: Acquired OF Ben Grieve, 2B Craig Counsell, SS Junior Spivey
Tickets: $6-$17, call (800) 933-7890
Maryvale Baseball Park: Take I-10 west, exit 51 Ave. north. Enter stadium parking lot on 51st Ave between Thomas Rd. and Indian School Rd.
Oakland Athletics
Key moves: 1B Eric Karros, OF Mark Kotsay
First home game: March 5 vs. Brewers
Tickets: $7-$18, call (800) 225-2277
Phoenix Municipal Stadium: Take 202 Loop to Priest Exit. Go north on Priest one mile.
Best bet: The Raven at South Mountain is an upscale daily-fee course in downtown Phoenix. It is well-known for its service and quality course conditions. The Gary Panks-David Graham design is a playable track with five sets of tees that top off at 7,078 yards. With generous landing areas, golfers of every handicap should be able to keep their ball in play and score at or below their handicap. It's not much for scenery -- patio homes line the edges of the property -- but the gentle mounds and emerald fairways are pleasing to the eye. It's located near the Tempe border at 3636 E. Baseline Road in Phoenix.
Solid seconds: Quite close to the A's stadium is the city-owned Papago Golf Course, 5595 E. Moreland. This is the city's most popular municipal course, set among the picturesque red rocks of the Papago area. It's inexpensive, but the conditions aren't as solid as the high-end courses.
Near the Brewers stadium, Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Club is a solid option on the west side of the Valley of the Sun. The high-end, daily fee course offers mountain scenery in the middle of new home developments. This course was designed by Jack Nicklaus II, eldest son of the Golden Bear. The course plays at 7,116 from the back tees with a rating of 73.6 and a slope of 136. It's located at 11800 S. Golf Club Drive in Goodyear.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: To be frank, this part of Phoenix is not a tourist's paradise, so you might want to stay in nearby Glendale or out in Scottsdale. But the Maryvale area is close to the airport and to lots of chain motels and restaurants. One possibility for a motel: The Hampton Inn Phoenix at 5152 W. Latham St. Call (602) 484-7000 for reservations.
Scottsdale
San Francisco Giants
Key moves: None
First home game: March 5 vs. Cubs
Tickets: $8-$24, call (800) 225-2277
Scottsdale Stadium: From downtown Phoenix, take Rural Road north. Rural Road becomes Scottsdale Road. Make a right on E. Osbourn Road, stadium is on the left.
Best
bet: We could go on and on with recommendations, but be sure
to try We-Ko-Pa, on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation, just a few
miles away. We-Ko-Pa, a desert-target course designed by renowned
Scottsdale architect Scott Miller, is located at 18200 E. Toh
Vee Circle in Fountain Hills. You want to strive for accurate
tee shots here; this is not a forgiving course.
Solid Seconds: It's a bit of a drive, but SunRidge Canyon located at 13100 N. SunRidge Drive in Fountain Hills is true target-style course that will test your accuracy off the tee. The layout is a dramatic mix of twists and turns down the mountain for 10 holes, and back up for the last eight. The greens are quick and tough to hold with mid iron shots.
Perhaps the most underrated golf experience in Scottsdale can be found at Talking Stick Golf Club, located at 9998 E. Indian Bend Road. Its two 18-hole layouts are in top notch condition. The North Course is true links-style golf with brash bunkers and open fairways. The South Course is more of a traditional tree-lined design with strategic elements that will test your nerves. Both courses have unending views of the mountains. Since the property is on an Native American reservation, no houses impede the scenic surroundings.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: Scottsdale is loaded with plush resorts like the Westin Kierland and the Phoenician, for example. But the real fun is to stay downtown near Old Town Scottsdale so you can walk to the ballpark, the galleries and Western stores, and the fantastic restaurants. We'd suggest Marriott Suites Scottsdale Old Town at 7325 E. Third Ave. as one possibility. Call (480) 945-1550 for reservations. To stay closer to the golf courses, try Resort Suites in North Scottsdale. Call (800) 903-3973 for reservations.
Peoria
San Diego Padres
Key moves: Acquired LHP David Wells, IF Jeff Cirillo
First home game: March 7 vs. Mariners
Tickets: $5-23, call (619) 220-TIXS
Peoria Sports Complex: 101 From Phoenix, take 202 Loop west to 100 Loop North. Take the Bell Road exit. Go east on Bell and make a right on 83rd Avenue.
Seattle Mariners
Key moves: Acquired SS Rich Aurilia, 3B Scott Spiezio, OF Raul Ibanez
First home game: March 4 vs. Padres
Tickets: $5-$23, call (480) 784-4444
Peoria Sports Complex: From Phoenix, take 202 Loop west to 100 Loop North. Take the Bell Road exit. Go east on Bell and make a right on 83rd Avenue.
Best
bet: The Raven at Verrado in Buckeye located at exit 120 off of I-10 is a 20
mile drive from Peoria, but the new John Fought-Tom Lehman design
is well worth the trip. The course just opened in January and
it's in perfect condition. The green fee includes two meals, free
(non-alcoholic) drinks and snacks off of the beverage cart and
all the service The Raven golf clubs have been known for. The
design is a memorable collaboration of short par-4s and tough
par-5s with enough fairway to keep mid-to-high handicappers in
the game.
Solid seconds: Think about playing a little farther southwest at the Wigwam Resort which has three older courses, two designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and one done by Robert "Red" Lawrence. They offer traditional style golf with fairly long and wide fairways. Avoid the Blue Course, which was overseeded during the heat of late September and the greens suffered a great deal. The Gold Course is the most challenging and in the best shape. Wigwam is located at 451 N. Litchfield Road in Litchfield Park.
Another club near Wigwam is Palm Valley at 2211 N. Litchfield Road in Goodyear. Palm Valley has a short course (4,764 yards from the back tees) that was designed by Hale Irwin and a regulation length course (7,015 yards from the back) designed by Arthur Hills.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: There are lots of motel choices in Peoria, some of which are within walking distance of the stadium. For example: Comfort Suites, 8473 W. Paradise Lane, (800) 228-5150; Hampton Inn, 8408 W. Paradise Lane, (800) HAMPTON; La Quinta Inn & Suites, 16321 N. 83rd Ave., (623) 487-1900.
Surprise
Kansas City Royals
Key moves: Acquired RHP Kevin Appier
First home game: March 5 vs. Rangers
Tickets: $5-$16, call (800) 326-4000
Surprise Stadium:The stadium is located on Bullard Avenue, 1 1/2 miles west of the intersection of Bell Road and Grand Avenue (U.S. Route 60). Bullard Avenue is also 2 1/2 miles east of Loop 303.
Texas Rangers
Key Moves: Traded SS Alex Rodriguez for 2B/OF Alfonso Soriano
First home game: March 4 vs. Royals
Tickets: $5-$16, call (800) 326-4000.
Surprise Stadium: The stadium is located on Bullard Avenue, 1 1/2 miles west of the intersection of Bell Road and Grand Avenue (U.S. Route 60). Bullard Avenue is also 2 1/2 miles east of Loop 303.
Best
bet: Cimarron Golf Club at Sun City Grand is a desert-style
course designed by Greg Nash as part of a home development. The
course plays at 6,800 yards with water in play on nine holes.
The club is located at 17100 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise.
Solid seconds: Any of the courses mentioned for Peoria are viable options for Surprise. Two other Nash courses are nearby: Desert Springs Golf Club is located at 19900 N. Remington Drive, and Granite Falls Golf Club at 15949 W. Clearview Blvd.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: Try the Quality Inn and Suites at 16741 N. Greasewood St. in Surprise. Call (623) 583-3500. Also, check out the Best Inn and Suites at 12477 W. Bell Road; phone (623) 933-4000.
Tempe
Anaheim Angels
Key moves: Aquired RHP Bartolo Colon and OF Vladimir Guerrero
First home game: March 5 vs. Padres
Tickets: $8-$15, call (480) 784-4444
Diablo Stadium: Take I-10 to exit 155, Mirage Drive west. Make a right on 48th Street and then a right on W. Alameda. Stadium is on the left.
Best
bet: The Phantom Horse Golf Club at the Pointe at South Mountain
has recently been renovated, including the addition of an island
green on the par-4 No. 18. The first nine holes have a very traditional
feeling - lots of green grass, palm trees and water hazards. The
back nine takes you up South Mountain where it's more of a desert-target
style course with a peaceful park-like setting. Phantom Horse
is located at 7777 S. Pointe Parkway in Phoenix. The course is
now a par 71 and measures just over 6,300 yards, about 100 yards
longer than before.
Solid seconds: Any of the options listed under Mesa are good choices, as is The Raven at South Mountain, which was mentioned as the "Best bet" in Phoenix. The Legacy Golf Resort, located at 6806 S. 32nd St in Phoenix, offers lush modern conditions. The traditional Panks design was built on a giant ranch once owned by Arizona pioneer Dwight B. Heard.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call 866-444-0992.
Where to stay: Right next door to Diablo Stadium is the Wyndham Buttes Resort, located at 2000 Westcourt Way in Tempe. Call (602) 225-9000 for reservations.
Tucson
Arizona Diamondbacks
Key moves: Acquired 1B Richie Sexon and 2B Roberto Alomar . Traded RHP Curt Schilling to Red Sox.
First home game: March 4 vs. White Sox
Tickets: $3-$16, call (866) 672-1343
Tucson Electric Park: Take I-10 East to the Kino Pkwy North Exit. Once on Kino Parkway, take a right at the first. Turn left on Ajo Way, follow to Forgeus Street, turn right into Tucson Electric Park.
Chicago White Sox
Key moves: Acquired RHP Shingo Takatsu
First home game: March 5 vs. Diamondbacks
Tickets: $3-$16, call (866) 672-1343
Tucson Electric Park: Take I-10 East to the Kino Pkwy North Exit. Once on Kino Parkway, take a right at the first light. Turn left on Ajo Way, follow to Forgeus Street, turn right into Tucson Electric Park.
Colorado Rockies
Key moves: Acquired LHPs Shawn Estes and Jeff Fassero
First home game: March 5 vs. White Sox
Tickets: $2-$13 (box seats sold out), call (520) 327-9467
Hi Corbett Field: The ballpark is located at 3400 E. Camino Campestre between Country Club Road and Randolph Way. Access to the facility is available off Country Club Road, Broadway, and 22nd Street.
Best
bet: Arizona National located at 9945 E. Snyder Road
is a favorite of Diamondbacks players during Spring Training.
This Robert Trent Jones design is routed through arroyos, rock
outcroppings and a sea of saguaros. On a clear day, golfers can
see all the way into Mexico. It's known as one of the toughest
courses in Tucson, but the scenery softens the blow.
Solid seconds: The 27 holes at Tucson Omni National (2727 West Club Drive), which hosts the PGA Tour's annual Tucson Open, and Fazio's two 18-hole courses at Loews Ventana Canyon (7000 North Resort Drive), are two high-end, daily-fee clubs with pizzazz. Searching for value? Check out Del Lago, located at 7000 North Resort Drive in Vail, where the high-season rates top off at $50. And for convenience and value, check out the Randolph Golf Complex (600 S. Alvernon Way), home of an LPGA event with quality practice facilities just down the street from Hi Corbett where the Rockies play.
For stay and play golf packages or tee times, call (800) 877-0664.
Where to stay: The Clarion Hotel Randolph Park (877-526-7737) offers 157 rooms with prices ranging from $49 to $129 per night. The Lodge on the Desert (800-456-5634) is a more upscale hotel in the same vicinity. Both are solid choices for being close to either ballpark. But if you want to step it up a notch, Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort and Spa (800-887-0664) is the way to go.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
