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AK-CHIN SOUTHERN DUNES (Maricopa)

Well worth the half-hour drive from Tempe or Mesa, this Troon-managed desert oasis (pictured above) evokes such great Australian Sandbelt courses as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath. Designed with Fred Couples by the Schmidt-Curley team, the 7,546-yard layout ranks ranks among Golf magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play” in the U.S., and annually hosts NCAA tournaments, a U.S. Open qualifier, the first stage of Web.com Tour Qualifying, as well as multiple Arizona Amateurs, the Arizona PGA Section Championship and the final rounds of the Saguaro Amateur Series, chaired by CU’s head men’s golf coach Roy Edwards. No homes line the course, and the the Arroyo Grille turns out fabulous mojo pork street tacos and frybread “popovers.” akchinsoutherndunes.com

East Valley Highs

LONGBOW GOLF CLUB (Mesa)

A 20-minute drive from Sloan Park and HoHoKam, the Ken Kavanaugh (Murphy Creek) layout consistently ranks among the state’s better public offerings. longbowgolf.com

BOBBY Q (Mesa)

Tuck into the area’s favorite barbecue brisket, jumbo Texas ribs, pulled pork and smoasted (smoked and roasted) chicken. bobbyqmesa.com

JOYRIDE TACO HOUSE (Gilbert)

One of two rocking locations (the other’s in Glendale) specializing in fresh corn tacos. Hit the patio, sip a maragarita and dig into the Bandit Taco Platter. Or two. joyridetacohouse.com

QUEEN CREEK OLIVE MILL (Queen Creek)

You don’t have to go to Italy to find a working olive orchard and mill producing 100% virgin oil. Take a tour, see a press-ing and savor the restaurant, pictured at right. queencreekolivemill.com

USERY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK & NATURE CENTER (Mesa)

One of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department’s four green-friendly nature centers, this one features a memorable hike along Wind Cave Trail and the hanging gardens of Desert Rock Daisy. maricopacountyparks.net

View the full digital version as it appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer:

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