Where the game began: The Southeast Valley still a hot spot for great golf values

Renovations at Ironwood are set to be completed by fall 2016.
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It’s not a stretch to claim the Southeast Valley is where golf began in Arizona. In fact, the state’s first green-grass golf course, San Marcos Golf Club, opened in 1913. Now, more than a century later, the Southeast Valley is still home to some of the state’s top golf courses and its best values.

The next evolution in area golf came in the mid-1940s, when Mesa Country Club began its long tradition as one of the state’s top private clubs for members who are serious about the game and serious about having fun. 

In the 1970s, Sun Lakes became one of the Valley’s first master-planned, active-adult communities and exceptional golf was among its key features. The success of this development lead to a boom in golf communities throughout the Southeast Valley, culminating with nationally acclaimed developments such as Encanterra Country Club and Superstition Mountain. 

In the face of such growth, established golf communities, such as Sun Lakes have worked diligently to ensure their courses keep pace with the playing experiences and service standards offered by the new comers. Currently the community’s Oakwood and Ironwood Golf Clubs are in the midst of phased renovations and planned enhancements, which will ensure their 27 holes of golf continue to attract a new generation of golfers while catering to those who discover their love for the game later in life.

Originally designed by noted golf course architect, Keith Foster, Oakwood and Ironwood have been largely untouched since opening in 1983 and 1993, respectively. In design, these 27 holes have more than stood the test of time but as technology advances, so does the opportunity to enhance overall playability. Overseen by award-winning golf course architects, Forrest Richardson & Associates and the Wadsworth Golf Construction team, the plan for Ironwood and Oakwood focuses primarily on rejuvenating the bunkers and tees while greatly improving the irrigation system in key areas to improve overall conditioning. The four-part project began in 2014 and will finish in 2017.  

Completion of phase one and two saw the Palms and Lakes Courses at Oakwood enjoy significant upgrades to the irrigation systems with almost all elements being replaced. Many of the tee boxes were enlarged and leveled, while several forward tee positions were also installed to provide a greater number of options for players at different levels. The practice area also has been improved by adding a new chipping green and relocating the practice bunker within the facility. 

The third phase currently is underway with Ironwood Golf Club making a substantial investment to install a completely new irrigation system under the supervision of Forest Richardson & Associates and Wadsworth Golf Construction. The tee boxes are also being leveled and widened giving players the ability to hit from multiple tee positions on an even surface. 

“We are also adding a couple of new forward tees as part of the Tee it Forward program, to allow our golfers who may have experienced distance loss in their game to be able to enjoy a ‘shorter’ course,” Director of Golf Eddy Renio explained. “These improvements are providing an opportunity for more players to enjoy a varied, intriguing layout that challenges golfers of all ability.   

Ironwood and Oakwood are part of a wider story of shifting industry trends which captures the need to blend interesting design and exceptional customer service with consideration for time and options for players of all ability to choose their own test.  

The current phase of renovations is on schedule, and the improved course is set to debut in the Fall of 2016. Once reopened, Ironwood undoubtedly will retake its place among a number of great Southeast Valley golf options, such as Oakwood, Ocotillo, Bear Creek, Lonetree and others.

To learn more about Ironwood and Oakwood Golf Clubs, visit www.ironoaksaz.com, or call 480.895.1159.