2015 Spring Training Guide: Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa

February 18, 2015

Colorado AvidGolfer

Oakland Athletics
Hohokam Stadium
1235 North Center Street, Mesa
hohokamstadium.com; 480-644-4451

PLAY

The team’s relocation from Phoenix to the Cubs’ former home in Mesa exposes A’s fans to a whole new group of courses. The ASU Karsten Course in Tempe (pictured below) is only 10 minutes west of Hohokam. Longbow Golf Club is 15 minutes east, and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a 20-minute drive north.

STAY

Tempe Mission Palms offers a sweet Spring Training package. The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa (pictured below) and Saguaro all are within a 15-minute drive. Accommodations from the national chains abound.

EAT

In addition to the restaurants listed for the Chicago Cubs, savor the Cajun cuisine of Pier De Orleans and enjoy the food and entertainment of the Old West at Rockin’ R Ranch.

Bring the family to the Arizona Museum of Natural History or the inspiring I.D.E.A. Museum. Take a cruise on canyon-walled Saguaro Lake aboard the Desert Belle or Canyon Lake, courtesy of the Dolly Steamboat.

Milwaukee Brewers
Maryvale Baseball Park
3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix
phoenix.gov/sports; 800 933-7890

PLAY

The Verrado Golf Club is a straight shot west from the stadium on I-10. William Bell, who designed Torrey Pines, also did Maryvale Golf Course, a classic muni with plenty of mature trees, doglegs and great practice facilities.

STAY

Budget motels dot the area. Resort-and-spa options await east in downtown Phoenix at Royal Palms Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Desert Ridge (patio pictured below) and Arizona Biltmore.

EAT

Naturally the stadium serves brats, cheese curds and beer at every home game. For some down-home roadhouse food and a fun outdoor patio, hit Chelsea’s Kitchen. Sylvia’s La Canasta dishes up authentic Mexican, and the Bikini Lounge is iconic.

Head to the West Valley or Peoria’s P83 Shopping District.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe
tempe.gov/diablo; 888-796-HALO

PLAY

Numerous courses sit within five minutes of Tempe Diablo Stadium. Enjoy the short (6,336 yards), scenic and snug layout at Arizona Grand Golf Course. Due west of that are the Gary Panks-David Graham-designed Raven Golf Club-Phoenix (pictured below), which features Georgia pines and multi-tiered greens, and another Panks design, The Legacy Golf Club. For a real challenge, head to the 7,002-yard Pete Dye-designed ASU Karsten Course, which features three of the state’s toughest holes.

STAY

The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa features 740 rooms, seven exhilarating acres of private waterpark fun (private cabana pictured below), six unique dining venues and a fully equipped spa. The Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes tucks into the rock outcroppings near the stadium, and the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort boasts an equestrian center, spa, casino and the two Whirlwind golf courses.

EAT

Pull up a chair at Aunt Chilada’s or the Rustler’s Rooste, both at the Arizona Grand; or check out Top of the Rock at the Marriott. Caffe Boa and Quiessence at The Farm are foodie paradises. There’s plenty on tap at Tavern on Mill and Four Peaks Brewing.

This is a college town! Shop on Mill Avenue and shoot pool at Mill Cue Club.

CHICAGO CUBS
Sloan Park
2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa
sloanpark.com; 800-THE-CUBS

PLAY

Most Cubs fans favor Longbow Golf Club, a highly decorated and dramatically bunkered Ken Kavanaugh design 15 minutes east of the stadium (pictured below). Whirlwind, ASU Karsten and Raven-Phoenix are within the same distance west. The lushly tree-lined Superstition Springs Golf Club, presents a respite from desert golf.

STAY

The plush Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes are both close. Mesa abounds with solid national chains—all of which have Spring Training packages.

EAT

In addition to the Tempe restaurants listed in the Angels section, Diamond’s Sports Grille bills itself as “the winter home of Chicago Cubs,” and R.T. O’Sullivan’s two locations have $3 bottles of Harp all the time. Vito’s deep-dishes up Chicago-style pizza, and The Original Blue Adobe Grill is a hidden gem.

Get an authentic Old West experience at Rockin’ R Ranch or a Modern Western experience at the upscale Dana Park or Mesa Riverview.

Scottsdale

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