By Jim Grosjean
Hopefully everyone is enjoying a lovely summer with golf and other outdoor activities that warm weather makes possible. The Covid-19 virus has greatly affected everyone’s lives, with one of the more minor disruptions being our normal golfing routines.
Golf is back, however, and flourishing, but Old Man Winter is lurking. When you begin thinking about places to visit with a suitable climate for winter golf, let me offer Scottsdale, Arizona, for your consideration. 
Scottsdale offers some of the country’s most iconic public courses, Grayhawk, Troon North, and TPC Scottsdale for starters. Last December, I was able to discover a few lesser known tracks, as well.
The Phoenician Golf Club is a real treat and has been completely redesigned. I have an especially fond memory of the par-3 11th hole as my tee shot found the bottom of the cup for an ace.
The course winds its way along Camelback Mountain, one of the many peaks that litter the Phoenix metropolitan area. Architect Phil Smith did a masterful job of converting the former 27-hole course into a more expansive 18-hole track, that is a pure joy to play.
Next up was the O’odham Course at Talking Stick Resort. Along with its sister, the Piipaash Course, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were able to provide two unique courses at one resort. O’odham is more typical of a desert course with open fairways that allow bombers to let it rip. Piipaash is tree-lined and much narrower, requiring thought and accuracy as you move around the course. Stay and Play packages can be arranged at the Talking Stick Casino Resort, plus the courses are open to the public.
We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center has two of the best public courses in Arizona. Make no mistake, you are in the desert now. Cactus of all varieties line every hole. They are beautiful to look at, but they can make retrieving an errant shot a bit of a challenge.
The Saguaro Course, named after the most impressive of the cactus varieties, is a Coore-Crenshaw masterpiece, but the impressive vistas can be a distraction. You will need to give your full attention on your game, however, to make the correct decisions off the tee, even a small miscalculation can be disastrous to achieving par. 
The Cholla Course is slightly more difficult due to the plentiful arroyos, ridges and washes that come into play. After your round be sure to visit the Pro Shop that is ranked inside the Top 100 in the country, plus the We-Ko-Pa Grill will provide the perfect end to your day with delicious food and libation. You may also want to try your luck at the new Fort McDowell Casino, that offers every game of chance for risk takers.
Choosing from among the scores of hotels, condos, and homes available for rent in Scottsdale can be a daunting task. The Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale was my home during this trip and I could not have had a better experience. This Scottsdale institution opened its doors in 1959 and was an instant success and became a favorite of locals and Hollywood celebrities alike. The original resort closed in 2004, but came back in grand style with a complete reconstruction which was finished in 2017.
Re-opened with the same name, it now has every modern amenity, beautiful suites, a majestic pool, fine dining, spa, as well as, an enticing lounge.
Mountain Shadows Resort is also home to The Short Course, one of the best 18-hole par 3 courses you’ll ever play. The greens are wildly breaking at times, but subtle at others. You will need a deft touch with your putter, plus your thinking caps strapped on tight to avoid three and four putts. It’s great fun and along with the views of Camelback Mountain it makes for a terrific golfing experience.
Check out www.experiencescottsdale.com to plan your next winter golf getaway to Scottsdale.
With exceptional golf, exquisite dining, plus enjoyable nightlife, culture, comfortable accommodations, and glorious sunshine, I guarantee, you will have a great time!
