Diversity of Phoenix/Scottsdale resorts brings "desert golf" to life

PHOENIX, Ariz. - From a distance, the desert appears empty and lifeless. But any ecologist will tell you that the desert is far more than a few scattered cacti and the odd tumbleweed rolling past a lonely horny toad. Upon closer inspection, the seemingly arid climate and rough terrain host myriad species, the variety of which is matched in few other locales.

Likewise, to the golfer unfamiliar with "desert golf," destinations like Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, may at first appear almost monochromatic, aside from the artificially green strips of fairway and those staunch saguaro cacti.

That viewpoint could not be more mistaken. Just like the ecosystem, Phoenix/Scottsdale golf resorts offer a surprising diversity of atmospheres and styles, all of which center around some of the most well-tended, fun-to-play courses found anywhere in the country. Given the outstanding quality of golf here, it is not surprising that 11 million rounds are played each year in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Consider The Phoenician, The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, and Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa - three utterly different, completely unique destinations, all of which offer top-notch amenities and world-class golf experiences. The golfer's only task is to find the one that matches his personality.

The Phoenician

Opened in 1988, The Phoenician is the sort of desert resort that almost makes you forget you're in the desert, with plentiful fountains, lush fairways and rough, and scads of palm trees (which are not indigenous to Arizona). As such, The Phoenician offers an Arizona alternative to the opulence of California's Palm Springs.

The resort's jaw-dropping $25 million art collection, the idyllic Centre for Well-Being (a.k.a. spa), miles of imported Italian marble, in-house bakery, and critically acclaimed culinary delights all cater to the swankiest of tastes. It's no wonder The Phoenician has been awarded Five Diamonds by AAA five years in a row. Yet the resort is not sitting on its laurels: It is currently undergoing a $70 million dollar interior renovation to make it even more opulent.

The resort is far from stuffy, though, offering "Family Fun" vacation packages during the summer off-season, starting at just $259 and including homey traditions like S'mores around the fire and games on the lawn.

As for golf at The Phoenician, the resort boasts three nine-hole courses, each with its own distinct character. The Phoenician's Desert Course has dramatic elevation changes and great views of Camelback Mountain. The Oasis Course (closed until October, 2009 for renovation) is a non-desert course in the desert, with tree-lined fairways and tranquil water features. The newest nine, the Canyon Course, is situated on the southern slope of Camelback Mountain and provides sweeping vistas of the Valley of the Sun.

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

Kierland Resort is the first one you think of when you think "golf." Oh, sure, there are also the first-rate spa, dozens of shops and restaurants, and a jam-packed schedule of events and activities for kids and families. But golf is king at Kierland.

Although the connection between the Scottish Highlands and Phoenix is somewhat tenuous, Kierland has succeeded admirably in forging as close a link as possible, and that link is based on the links, i.e., golf. At Kierland, golfers are blessed with 27 holes of golf (the Ironwood, Acacia, and Mesquite Courses), all of which are very player-friendly, with the areas along the fairways that would be waste areas at other courses all turfed over. The golf amenities are almost overwhelming: an expansive range, air-conditioned golf carts, and even the opportunity to play golf from a Segway. If you so desire, you can even rent a kilt for your round and let it all hang out on the course, so to speak.

After golf, players and non-players alike can enjoy a meal at one of several restaurants centered around themes of Scottish-tinged Arizona history, cigars hand-rolled in the courtyard, Scotch tasting every Saturday evening, and even a bagpiper each night at sunset. For golfers who like to work on their vacations, the LaBauve Golf Academy provides full-game instruction. For really hard-core players, the Fore-Max Golf Training System, developed specifically for golfers in-house by Steve Heller with Mike LaBauve, will whip you into shape. You may even end up working out next to a PGA or LPGA Tour player.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa

Without question, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is the most unique golf resort in the Valley of the Sun. The resort opened in 2002, and is located on 2,400 acres of the 372,000-acre Gila River Indian Community. According to the resort's Cultural Concierge Ginger Sunbird Martin, Starwood Resorts allowed the Pima and Maricopa tribes, who own the land and the resort, to break 117 rules in the design and construction of the property in order to accurately tell their story - and it is quite a story, indeed.

You heard correctly: The resort has a Cultural Concierge, whose job it is to share with guests the history of the Pima and Maricopa peoples, and the connection of that history to the resort today. Every last detail, down to the sconces in the hallways and the carvings on the stairway banisters, are significant and symbolic of the people and their culture. It is no exaggeration to say that one could stay here for months, studying the resort and its contents all day every day, and not run out of new things to discover.

Best of all, learning at Wild Horse Pass is fun. There are four river-side pools and a 111-foot waterslide, several restaurants that incorporate native ingredients and flavors in all the dishes, the Wild Horse Pass Casino, Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, a 2.5-mile Desert Interpretive Trail, the superbly serene Aji Spa, a 1,500-head, free-roaming herd of namesake wild horses, and - oh yes - the Whirlwind Golf Club.

Whirlwind Golf Club, former host of a Buy.com Tour event, offers 36 holes of golf (Cattail and Devil's Claw Courses) that are challenging yet playable - the perfect combination for resort golf. Like the rest of the resort, the course adheres to a strict code of indigenous authenticity: only native plants (i.e., no palm trees) and natural landforms, and nothing to spoil your prototypical Arizona golf experience.

Tourism in the Valley of the Sun

Each of these unique golf resorts can serve as either a self-contained desert paradise, or as a jumping-off point to the rest of the equally diverse attractions that Phoenix and Scottsdale have to offer. Golfers should be sure to experience the nearby perennially top-ranked daily-fee facility in the state: Troon North Golf Club, the epitome of "desert" golf.

Non-golfers can take in one of many area MLB spring training games toward the end of the peak tourism season (February-March) and experience true Mexican cuisine at Barrio Café, the best Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. The museums and cultural attractions - both indoors and out - are so numerous, the list almost becomes overwhelming. There's so much to do, in fact, that you might not even be able to fit in any quality time with the cacti, tumbleweeds, and horny toads.

Getting to Phoenix/Scottsdale

Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier into Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), with 140+ flights a day. Best of all for golfers, Southwest does not charge extra for luggage, even for golf bags.

For more information, see www.visitphoenix.com.

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.