Capital Canyon Club

Private

A view from Hole #10, a dog leg left, 542 Yard Par 5

Capital Canyon Club

Website: www.capitalcanyonclub.com

Phone: 928.350.3150

Address: 2060 Golf Club Lane

Prescott, Arizona 86303

General Manager: Laura Scrivner

Director of Golf Operations: Ron Gring
Course Superintendent: Jamison Bushman
Golf Course Architect: Tom Weiskopf
Membership Director: Rusan Schulz

About this Course:
Par 71 – 6622 yards from the tips


By By Alice and Danny Scott

What a perfect, peaceful May Day at Capital Canyon Club in Prescott. Managed by Troon Prive, the private club division of Troon, the course condition is pristine in its second season. The air is fresh (albeit thin at 5600 feet, reaching 6000 on the black tee box of number 4) and the mountain views are inspiring. 

Formerly Hassayampa, the course had collapsed into dismal shape. Member Jerre Stead couldn’t stand it so he bought it and took two years to revive it. GM Laura Scrivner with Jamie the superintendent, Pro Ron and designer Tom Weiskopf toured the layout with a paint sprayer, drawing new lines for tee boxes and such, resulting in a beautiful, challenging track that members love to play and replay. Names of the holes reflect the picturesque landscape.

Hole #5, par 5, 490 yards (Bloody Basin) – This is a give and take hole as the drop in elevation carries the drive to the edge of the creek basin dissecting the fairway. A rock formation before the wide creek is a good target for a layup. The takeaway is the extra yardage required for the uphill climb to the green. Washrooms provide a welcome break with iced water bottles to refresh before heading back up the hill. This hole is as pretty looking forward as looking back. Actually that is the case with most holes.

Hole #8, par 5, 542 yards (The Tubs) – The number one handicap hole is full throttle mountain golf. While the ball is supposed to travel farther in thin air, this yardage feels every bit as long as at sea level. A snake like fairway weaves right, then left and right again into a narrow chute channeling onto the green. Only the top of the flag can be seen from the fairway because of the elevated drop. Keep the ball on the left side of the fairway to avoid sloping into the forest. This hole requires big boy pants to go for it in two.

Hole #13, par 4, 375 yards (Jack Ass Flat) – What a wonderful driving hole with two lakes to navigate from tee to green. Beautiful blue waters shimmer on the left. The larger lake at the end of the fairway sneaks up close to the elevated green providing a catch basin for miscalculated yardage and tiny tadpole viewing. The stark contrast of emerald green fairway and landscape to azure blue waters is stimulating. 

Holes #15-18 (Butte Creek, Hassayampa, Crook Canyon, & Tomahawk) – These closing holes are a crescendo of difficulty and beauty. #15 is a beast from the tips as you have to drive at least 240 yards to reach the fairway with no room for error. Par achievement is compounded by the steep uphill climb to the green with a Stonehenge formation in the middle. The #4 handicap rating rather than #1 is questionable. #16 is a 170-yard target green across a deep ravine with a large boulder complex on the right side. Any miss could be double bogey bound or worse. #17 makes a back-to-back difficult par 3 challenge. Carry another deep ravine from 204 yards to a wide but skinny green. #18 resembles 15. From the tips, you wonder if you have enough power to reach the fairway with no bailout, no get out of jail card. The fairway seems like a sanctuary if found, then the approach is all up hill with a small stream interrupting the fairway. From the green a glance back brings deep satisfaction regardless of the score. 

Great golf is preceded or followed by great food. Compliments to Chef Scott on his menu selections and tomato basil soup of the day with lump crab drizzled with a balsamic reduction. The members’ calendar is filled with Taste of Country nights, special and recurring events such as Girls & Grapes, Studs & Suds, as well as field trips to discover local sites. How about a Yappy Hour and a family cooking class or fireworks from the driving range on the 4th of July? For access to the clubhouse, fitness center, pool, golf and activities, check out the 7 diverse membership packages, including a new corporate offering.