2017 Spring Training Guide: Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick - Rockies and Diamondbacks
Scottsdale’s Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is home to the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Scottsdale

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Both the Rockies and Diamondbacks share this one of a kind stadium on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The 140-acre complex and stadium, with the motto “Two Tribes. Two Teams. One Home,” was designed to be respectful of the surroundings and traditions of the Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Deeply angled roofs provide much needed shade and frame the natural landscape. The Rockies dugout is on the first base side; the Diamondback’s dugout is along third base. Fans love that there is easy access to players along the baselines for a prized autograph. If the kids need to burn off some energy there is a whiffle-ball field. Leave the car at the hotel, a trolley runs every 20 minutes from downtown Scottsdale to Salt River and Talking Stick Resort. saltriverfields.com

Penske Rancing Museum
Penske Rancing Museum

Eat, Imbibe & Explore

Olive & Ivy Restaurant and Marketplace
Southern Mediterranean warmth and provincial charm, open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
foxrc.com/restaurants/olive-ivy-restaurant-marketplace

Monarch When special occasions call for white tablecloths, quiet conversations and the finest culinary talent. cafemonarch.com

Sonatas Restaurant Modern and Eastern European cuisine with tantalizing flavors that cross cultures for a dramatic and surprisingly wonderful experience. sonatasrestaurant.com

Scapegoat Beer and Wine Escape the DJs and hip hop to this lovely small intimate spot for a beer or a glass of wine. scapegoatbar.com

OdySea Aquarium This might be the desert but it’s also home to penguins, otters, sea lions and 500 other sea creatures. odyseaaquarium.com

Penske Racing Museum There is a lot of history and horsepower hidden behind the doors of this car musuem, which features some of the most famous racing cars in the world penskeracingmuseum.com


Talking Stick Resort and Golf Club
Talking Stick Resort and Golf Club

Golf Resorts and Communities

Talking Stick Resort and Golf Club (Scottsdale) Within a short five-minute drive of Salt River Stadium are two dramatic, breathtaking courses that top of the list for locals and visitors alike. The North and South courses, designed by the Coore-Crenshaw team, are as graceful and quiet as they are challenging. The 15-story Talking Stick Resort boasts nearly 500 rooms, mega-casino, a lounge pool concert area, cultural center and five restaurants—including the appropriately and dramatically named Orange Sky, where killer sunsets command a daily audience. talkingstickresort.com; 480-860-2221

We-ko-Pa Golf Club and Resort (Scottsdale) Your first decision among many at this award-winning Scottsdale course: walk or ride? Saguaro satisfies the former, with short distances between greens and tees. The more undulant Cholla is better suited for carts. A recent renovation made Cholla’s eighth far less penal than its previous iteration. The nearby resort hotel and casino is perfect for buddy trips, and its Anhala Mesquite Room serves exceptional food. wekopa.com; 480-789-5300

JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Spa and Golf Course (Scottsdale) This historic property, Marriott’s first resort, offers a tranquil respite that captures the quiet beauty of the desert. Pueblo-style casitas, with patios and balconies, tuck into the carefully manicured gardens. Thirty-six  at Ambiente and Padre course, await at the Camelback Golf Club. marriott.com; 480-948-1700

The Boulders Resort and Spa (Carefree) The name says it all. This recently renovated Hilton property nestles among stacks of giant rocks. Stay in a casita, suite, villa or single family home. The rock formations add to the challenge and the rugged beauty of the resort’s two Jay Morrish-designed golf courses (North and South). theboulders.com; 480-488-9009

Troon North Golf Club (Scottsdale) Blue sky and desert glory come together in two resort courses, Monument and Pinnacle. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish built this visually sensational pair by incorporating the rugged Sonoran landscape of boulders, cacti, arroyos and ravines. The Four Seasons Scottsdale is a five-minute drive. troonnorthgolf.com; 480-585-7700

Eagle Mountain Golf Club and Inn (Fountain Hills) Just renovated last year, the highly regarded Scott Miller design offers a panoramic view of Scottsdale to the south. The boutique hotel bestrides the course. innateaglemountain.com; 480-816-1234

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess/TPC Scottsdale (Scottsdale)  The Fairmont’s new Sunset Beach features 9,000 square feet of sand, six pools and a water slide. The resort’s three resturants—Bourbon Steak, La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval and Ironwood—are superb. Best known for the Waste Management Open, the TPC’s Stadium course is a must-play. A highlight, of course, comes on the coliseum-like 16th. The sister Champions course is a favorite for its final home stretch. tpc.com; 480-585-4334

The Phoenician Resort (Scottsdale) At 250 acres, this resort is a city within itself. The hotel property hugs the base of Camelback Mountain and encases glistening swimming areas, such as the famous Mother-of-Pearl pool. As for golf, the three nine-hole layouts—Canyon, Desert and Oasis—were designed by Ted Robinson and Homer Flint. thephoenician.com; 480-941-8200

Rancho Mañana Golf Club and Resort (Cave Creek) Once a dude ranch, the resort brims with history, including its female-friendly golf course and dramatic landscape. The adjacent resort has spacious group and family-style luxury casitas. ranchomanana.com; 480-488-0398

Rio Verde Country Club (Rio Verde) If you are thinking about a new zip code in a warmer climate, consider a Discovery Stay in a private home at this exclusive Troon Privé-managed, 55+ community sequestered in the McDowell Mountain foothills at the edge of the Tonto National Forest, only 45 minutes from Sky Harbor. The lush, parkland-style fairways on the Tom Lehman-designed Quail Run and White Wing courses appeal to golfers of all experience levels. A par-3 layout, called the Roadrunner, utilizes regulation tee boxes off the fairways of Quail Run’s back nine for quick short-game sharpening fun. Other outdoor activities take center stage at Rio Verde with tennis pickle ball, hiking, cycling, riding and swimming. rioverdearizona.com; 480-471-9420

Rio Verde


On the Private Side

Desert Highlands (Scottsdale) The pioneering 500-residence private golf community includes 18 holes by Jack Nicklaus (which hosted the first Skins Games in 1983 and ’84, 18-hole putting course, 13-court racquet club and fitness center. deserthighlandsscottsdale.com; 480-419-3745

Desert Mountain (Scottsdale) This private residential community is a golf mecca with six Jack Nicklaus layouts, each with its distinct character traits and clubhouse theme—from Southwestern to Tuscan. desertmountain.com; 480-595-4000

Tonto Verde (Rio Verde) Private with public tee times, the facility offers two golf courses within this active adult community. Discovery packages, available through April 30, 2017, offer townhome accommodations, activities and other amenities. tontoverde.org; 480-471-2710

Verde River Golf & Social Club
(Rio Verde) The ubiquitous, talented Tom Lehman has finished renovating the course originally known as Vista Verde. New challenges, greater forgiveness and improved sight lines are waiting. The club is currently daily-fee but will transition to a private club. verderivergolf.com. 480-471-3232


Phoenix and Tempe

Wildfire Golf Club
Wildfire Golf Club

On the Tee

ASU Karsten Golf Course (Tempe) Golf experts love this course and so will you. This par-70, Pete Dye-designed Scottish links on the Arizona State campus is known for exceptional playing conditions. Be sure to work off a few extra calories to indulge in a meal at the Trophy Room restaurant. The Ping Learning Center offers private lessons and state-of-the-art video technology to improve your game. asukarsten.com; 480-921-8071

Raven Golf Club (Phoenix) Only five miles from Sky Harbor, this 7,078-yard Gary Panks/David Graham design is one big surprise—you’ll find 6,000 mature pine trees and rolling hills juxtaposed with the desert landscape. Golfers of all abilities and ages love the five tee options and tiered greens. ravenphx.com; 602-243-3636

Wildfire Golf Club (Phoenix) The J.W. Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort is home to two exquisite layouts designed by legends of the game. The Palmer Signature Course features forgiving fairways, superbly flashed bunkers and large, subtly undulating greens. Reminiscent of the Australian sand belt courses, the Faldo Championship Course boasts 108 bunkers, wide landing areas and saguaro cacti. Wildfire will host its seventh consecutive LPGA Founders Cup, March 14-19. Proceeds benefit the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program. marriott.com; 480-292-5000

Rustler's Rooste Arizona
Rustler’s Rooste

On the Town

Matt’s Big Breakfast There are four locations (one at the airport) to choose from if you need a hearty morning fueling before a round of golf. This all-day breakfast spot is ideal for families and golf friends who want high quality, real food in a fun setting. mattsbigbreakfast.com

Ocotillo Since this inventive new restaurant opened in Phoenix a few years ago, it has gained a loyal following for its big flavors and cultural twists on desert cuisine like the Ocotillo chicken, painted with honey, citrus and chiles. Coffee house open in am, lunch and dinner follows. ocotillophx.com

Pedal Haus Brewery Coloradans will feel right at home at this bike-brewery with a massive patio. Gastropub food pairs well with any one of the beers from the two dozen taps. pedalhaus.com

Rustler’s Rooste Get fired up for this grilling centric gathering place on a mountain top. The indoor waterfall is a must see and the rattlesnake appetizer is the perfect snack for daring eaters. rustlersrooste.com

Beyond the Bricks Thursday night rocks even more than usual in Tempe with live music at the Hayden Square Amphitheater. downtowntempe.com

LegoLand Everything is awesome at this wonderland of imagination. Two Lego rides, a 4D movie theater and 40,000 square feet of pure fun await. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona

Tilt Studio Family fun awaits at this new entertainment complex that includes video, pinball and arcade games such as Space Invaders, Pac Man and Asteroids. A restaurant and bar is onsite for hungry gamers and adults who need a kid break. tiltstudio.com/tilt-studio-arizona-mills

Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes
Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes

Staying and Playing

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort (Phoenix) It’s rare that a hotel this expansive sits in the heart of a city. Marriott’s Desert Ridge offers a one-stop resort with luxurious suite-style rooms, full-service spa, pool and fitness, and half dozen restaurants, bars and eateries. jwmarriottdesertridgeresort.com

Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes There is no more convenient high-end hotel and restaurant to Diablo Stadium than this resort in the heart of Tempe. The delectable On The Rocks pairs panoramic views of the Valley with Sonoran Desert fare made with locally sourced ingredients. Happy hour starts at 5 p.m.; dinner reservations are recommended. marriott.com

FOUND:RE Art and fun intersect at this new downtown Phoenix hotel with galleries and rotating exhibits that change out regularly. Try the freaky and fun lobby restrooms. A one-way mirror lets you see out, but others can’t see in. foundrehotels.com


2017 Arizona Spring Training Guide to Golf

Golf Directory and Mileage Chart

Central: Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe

West: Goodyear, Surprise, Peoria

East: Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

GET COLORADO GOLF NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX