Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club

18 Holes of Championship Golf

From the elevated tee boxes, players take in 360 degree views sweeping from the iconic Vulture Peak to the Weaver Mountains in the North

Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club

Website: www.wickenburgranch.com

Phone:  928.668.5535  

Address:  3312 Maverick Drive
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390 

Club General Manager:  Christian Corbett
Head Golf Professional:  Justin Henderson, PGA
Course Superintendent:  Andy Huber, GCSAA
Course Designer/Architect: Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett

About This Course:
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Managed by BlueStar Resort & Golf
Par 71 – 7059 yards from tips
Rating/Slope: Men: 72.4/139; 70.6/134; 68.5/125; 63.5/109, Women: 68.7/121

Golf Digest ranks Wickenburg Ranch among Best New Courses of 2015
Design team of Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett make waves in golf course design world with first solo creation

Golf Digest, the world’s largest, most-respected golf publication, has named Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club among the Top 10 Best New Courses of 2015. 

In what turned out to be the stiffest competition in years, Wickenburg Ranch placed No. 6 among a standout list of courses that included Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia and Trump Golf Links Ferry Point in Bronx, New York. The golf course was praised by panelists for the astounding beauty and dramatic topography of its setting as well as the variety of holes and shot values. In fact, one unnamed panelist wrote: “I could play this golf course every day and not get tired of it.” 

“We were extremely excited to learn Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of the ‘Top Ten Best New Courses in North America,’” said Bill Brownlee, Wickenburg Ranch developer and co-designer with Wendell Pickett of the Wickenburg Ranch golf course. “In a head-to-head fight with the outstanding golf courses, and a who’s who list of designers, including Nicklaus, Coore/Crenshaw, Dye, and others, Wickenburg Ranch more than held its own. Wendell and I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team, especially our Superintendent, Andy Huber, who started this dream with us nearly 10 years ago. Thank you to all the panelists, and congratulations to our fellow winners.”   

What makes the course’s meteoric rise to golf stardom all the more impressive is that it was the first full-fledged foray into golf course design for either Brownlee or Pickett. Both had played pivotal roles in a number of golf course developments, but never had taken the reins as golf course designers of record. 

Thoughtful and passionate stewards of the game, they painstakingly crafted the Wickenburg Ranch golf course for more than seven years to ensure maximum playability, shot values and enjoyment. As a result of their vision, attention to detail and dedication, Wickenburg Ranch has proven its ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with the game’s best venues. Its artfully designed holes traverse canyons and arroyos, which showcase vistas of the Prescott National Forest and Vulture Peak. Each is a chapter in a larger story, with varying distances, compass directions, and skill requirements woven into the experience.  

A noted real estate visionary for more than two decades, Brownlee specializes in creating distinctive, award-winning communities that evoke the unique spirit of the American West. Additionally, Brownlee is an accomplished and passionate golfer who has had the honor of playing many of the world’s top golf courses. In designing the golf course at Wickenburg Ranch with his longtime friend, Brownlee relied upon his keen sense of golf strategy as well as his expansive knowledge of development to craft a golf course that will truly stand the test of time.  

During his career, Pickett participated in the planning, development and construction of more than 30 noted golf courses in North America, and has worked closely with many of the game’s most celebrated designers. In creating Wickenburg Ranch’s golf course with Brownlee, Pickett drew upon his extensive background in golf design as well as his sophisticated, aesthetic sense to ensure the golf course blends perfectly with its surrounding environment while delivering a truly unmatched playing experience.  

For those who would like to experience Wickenburg Ranch for themselves, new spring rates run through April, 2016. Tee times will be available 30 days in advance, Tuesdays through Sundays and Holiday Mondays. Rates start at $95 for Wickenburg Residents, $105 for Arizona residents and $135 for out of state guests. 

This past fall, the club also opened a new Tour Center to help tell The Wickenburg Ranch story in greater detail and comfort to would-be homeowners and club Members. It also opened a new, full-service restaurant – Jake’s Spoon. Like the golf course, Jake’s Spoon is quickly garnering praise for its outstanding authentic Arizona cuisine, especially its popular “Wickenburger,” Green Chili Pork Stew and Fried Green Tomato BLT. The restaurant also is home to the weekly “Member’s Corral,” featuring live music, happy hour drinks and much more. 

Located approximately one hour and 15 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix near the intersection of Highways 89 and 93 in the historic town of Wickenburg, Arizona, the club will provide the social and recreational hub for the Wickenburg Ranch master-planned community. Wickenburg Ranch is currently under development by Shea Homes and Phoenix-based M3 Companies, and will feature Shea’s newest Trilogy resort community.

To learn more about membership in Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, please visit wickenburgranch.com, call 928.668.5535, or send an email to info@wickenburgranch.com.


By By Nancy Howard

If you’re lookin’ for the wild wild west on a golf course, Wickenburg Ranch & Social Club delivers. You’re in for a wild ride with your round on this exceptionally challenging, outstandingly beautiful and totally enticing golf design by Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett delivering elevation changes, rambling river brooks, beautiful water features, dry river beds running throughout, mountain and national forest views, plenty of wildlife, arroyos, plus outstandingly lush fairways. And, Bent grass greens ‘to die for’ that putt so pure and hold so true they’ll knock your boots off, partner.

Located just northeast of the town of Wickenburg, Arizona and an easy 58 minute drive time from the West Valley or 80 minutes from Scottsdale, this is an adventure you’ll be talking about and dreaming of returning for many times to come…or just want to sink your spurs in and stay forever.

The sales/conference center serves as the clubhouse for now, (new one is due to open around the beginning of 2017 and looks spectacular from the framework we witnessed at the 18th green, which it will look down on from it’s perch above), and houses Jake’s Spoon. I have to admit that I was totally taken away when I entered and saw the chefs preparing the most beautiful presentations of dishes I’ve ever seen. Was I really in the wild wild west? Well, the menu and delivery from the friendliest hosts and hostesses ever made you feel as though you were, they were so glad to see you, even while the inside area and outside patio were bursting with patrons. Talk about being in the action! You are involved the moment you walk through the door. And, if you’re going to have a sandwich, there’s none better than the Fried Green Tomato BLT! Although one on my team got the Whole Grain Shaved Turkey Wrap and stated I had to take a bite, we both declared we had never tasted any wrap that good…ever! They don’t know ordinary food at Jake’s Spoon, my thought was food you fly to Manhatten to experience but it’s right here in the wild wild west, which makes it even better. If you don’t golf, it’s worth the drive to just enjoy Jake’s Spoon and they are open in the evenings, as well. You know the saying, “We aim to please?” Well, Jason and his team do just that!

Now, back to the golf experience. If you’re a low handicapper, you’ll meet your challenge on this course design, which takes the thinking man to score, however you’ll find it exciting and fair. If you’re a high handicapper, your going to be delighted with the tee box choices and how much fun the course plays out for you. And ladies, this is one friendly course to kick up your heels on and make a birdie or two. As one of my teammates stated, though he had just played one of the most prestigious courses in Scottsdale this week, “This course is in the best condition of any course in the Valley of the Sun”. And, I agree…it is!

Hole #5, Par 5, 622 yards from the tips – Called ‘Round the bend’. This golf course is in the top three in Arizona in my opinion! The 5th hole being one of the most scenic holes, offers a great risk, reward challenge. Take an extra club on the approach shot!

–Brett Paquet-Realtor

Hole #13, Par 3, 246 yards from the tips – Called ‘Big Water’. Standing on this elevated tee box, looking at the beautiful vistas that Wickenburg has to offer to a green surrounded by bunkers with that beach like feel will make you forget about the long tee shot over water.

–Jason Rutilio Lopez

Wickenburg Ranch & Social Club is open six days per week – Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays only. Call to reserve your tee times 30 days in advance. To learn more about their membership options or daily fee rates, browse their website, or contact their team. Play through the end of May and get $25 off their summer rate, starting June 10th. Take advantage of this opportunity to play this spectacular course, which offers non-member limited play over the next year or so. It becomes a Trilogy community and private club in the near future. Temperatures are 10-20 degrees cooler compared to the Phoenix metro area due to its higher elevation. The Club is operated by the BlueStar Golf & Resort team.

So, as a native Texan turned ‘Zonie’, I can truly attest that this is the wild wild west golf course to put on your bucket list. What are you waitin’ on, hitch your wagon to this star!