Time to experience the New McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale (formerly Sanctuary Golf Course). What a massive undergoing that truly enhanced an already great challenge. Now it’s pristine and looks and plays like a newly created golf course. This publisher guarantees you’ll feel like you are playing an entirely different course, if you’ve played it prior to the renovation.

PGA Tour great, Phil Mickelson and “Coach” Steve Loy acquired the operating rights to McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale and directed a massive golf course enhancement and renovation to create the NEW McDowell Mountain Golf Club, which reopened October 12, 2011. Course architectural changes were overseen by the original golf course architect Randy Heckenkemper and included making many of the playing corridors wider, additional waste bunker additions, reshaping a number of fairways, adding additional teeing areas and more!

Plans on renovation aren’t over yet! Although the McDowell Mountain Golf Club has yet to receive approval from the city to move forward with their plan to improve the Clubhouse, they are optimistic that it’ll be forthcoming and are hoping to get the work underway this May. The course will be open during this time with all food and beverage being outside with grills and a true outdoor dining experience. Should be a fun time for all the golfers to enjoy the Club’s creativity with food service and hospitality. And, knowing this team it will be done effortlessly.

Built on the western slope of Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountains and adjacent to the nationally recognized Westworld equestrian center this premier Scottsdale golf course, now stretches to a 7,072-yards, and delivers a stunning Scottsdale golf experience that will keep you coming back for more.

The Club offers an excellent driving and practice range, as well as offering the ‘Cover Shot’ or ‘Shaded Structure’ with misting provided for an added convenience for their golfers. Large putting and chipping areas are conveniently located near the Clubhouse along with the ranges.

Well, you definitely know that you are playing on a Phil Mickelson owned course the moment you walk into the Pro Shop. There are photos of Phil throughout, as well as a well-appointed ALL Callaway products pro shop. Was that a surprise and eye opening item for this publisher, but it certainly makes sense. 

In addition to being an excellent Scottsdale wedding facility, McDowell  Mountain Golf Club is the gathering place for the McDowell Mountain Ranch and Scottsdale communities. For more information about their Scottsdale wedding facility, reception and event facilities, call 480.502.8642

After golf be sure to take in a post round serving of appetizers and libations or dine al fresco and enjoy the sunsets from McDowell Mountain’s stunning patio that overlooks Scottsdale. The staff is exceptionally excellent and eager to make sure your every need is addressed on the course and off.

Hole #5, Par 4, 402 yards from the tips – by Michael Schieffer – This hole has a lush island green surrounded by desert rocks, three and a half to 400 yards away from the tee boxes. This risk vs. reward, short par four is one for the birds…birdies and eagles. Long hitters can be bold, land your drive on the green and you’re putting for an eagle. Short hitters never fear, the safety of the fairway lies in front of the tees and offers a nice landing area for an easy second approach shot to the pin. So, players long or short, this hole is for scoring low.

Hole #12, Par 4, 380 yards from the tips – by Steve Padgett – The theme of McDowell Mountain Ranch’s playability continues depending on what tees you are playing. From the tee, it seems rather simple to launch something out there about 200 yards and have a short iron in. For those who like to swing driver, have at it as the fairway mounds tend to help keep the ball in play. However, don’t get too confident that this hole is now easy pickings because you have a short iron or chip to the green.  The Club’s greens are where she defends herself from players going really low. These greens run away from you quick if you are above the hole. This green has a bowl in the front half of the it. If the pin is upfront, like it was when we played, and you go past it...well, three of us walked away with bogeys after very good lag putts. Pay particularly close attention to the greens and be below the hole, otherwise you and your putter are going to be working together a lot trying to get through this Club’s greens.

If you’ve experienced this golf club prior to reopening, you are in for a terrific surprise and challenge. If not, it’s a great challenge that you will surely be coming back for over and over. Fun, challenging, plenty of risk/reward, great mountain views of the McDowell’s with plenty of ‘think about with your strategy’ keeps you on your toes and wishing for that do over on many of this Club’s  holes. You’ll definitely be heading back to the practice putting green to try and prove you putt better than you did on these greens, as reading them becomes an art form. And, yes, it is women friendly. Arizona Golfer gives McDowell Mountain Golf Club a “Must Play” rating for locals and visitors to the Valley of the Sun.