Nestled in the northwest valley, the Greg Nash designed Corte Bella Golf Club is the centerpiece to the upscale, private and gated community Corte Bella Country Club in Sun City West. The community is a Del Webb development with 1,650 well-designed homes. Corte Bella Golf Club is managed by Scottsdale Golf Group. This is a private club that offers a variety of membership options, including year ‘round and seasonal memberships.

It’s been some time since the opening of the course in 2004, when Arizona Golfer visited the new course for a feature story. And my, what a grand surprise to see how the course has grown up. It is a challenge…yet fair and fun to play and yes, women friendly as well. One very noticeable and appreciated element is that the homes are on spacious lots and set back at a much more desired distance from the course than most golf communities, I’ve experienced. It gave the course a very spacious feel, which is appreciated by most golfers.

Corte Bella Golf Club has an enhancing definition with red rocks as the rough and, during this time of year, yellow Bermuda that defines the fairways for best landings. Fairways are wide and in excellent condition as were the greens, which didn’t give you any birdies or pars unless you earned them. Trees, undulating fairways, dessert floral, plenty of bunkering as well as water features and challenging greens (that hold well and putt true) make this one enticing track to experience.

The Golf Club recently completed the renovation of 28 greenside bunkers with new liners and 2300 tons of southwest bunker sand and they truly add to the course’s appeal and challenge. Some are just mind-boggling from the tee boxes with their clustering and depths, however if you have your ‘game on’ you shouldn’t have to experience them very often. When you do, our group described the sand as fluffy yet not so fluffy that it caused a problem exiting them, which in my opinion, is a very good thing. The renovation was completed in late September, 2012 and per Director of Golf, Brian Markle, “The sand has almost completed its packing process”.

The Club offers an excellent driving range area, putting and pitching areas and a well-appointed Pro Shop in the stylish Cluhhouse, which also houses The Grille at Corte Bella offering American cuisine with inside and patio seating overlooking the course and driving range. Another option, which I found interesting, is a restaurant adjacent to the Clubhouse called the Anacata in a building owned by the HOA. When most Clubhouses shut down for the evening, Anacata offers a nice option to stay out, wine and dine and visit during the evenings with members of the community.

Hole #7, par 4, 474 yards from the tips: by Mike Stockley – This is a stunning dogleg left. Save your long drive for this 474-yard par 4. The fairway is forgiving but ultimately leaves you with a long iron on your approach into the green. A tee shot into the bunkers on the left can easily bring a bogey into the picture. Seventh heaven may not describe this hole but with the challenges it presents, it will leave you intrigued and feeling accomplished once completed.

Hole #8, par 3, 208 yards from the tips – Great par 3 and totally bunkerville from the tee box. “Whoa” is all we could exclaim when we stepped up to the tee box. This is definitely a thinking man’s hole in order to make par and save your score.

Hole #12, par 3, 157 yards from the tips – Peninsula with water surrounding the green to the left with a enormous cluster of bunkers on the right. You’re either in the money or not on this hole and it can cause some frustration, as we experienced.

The staff, members and rangers were just about the friendliest ever encountered at a private club. And, the pace of play was excellent, our foursome was able to finish the round just a tad over 4 hours.

If you are looking for a 55+ golf resort community now or in your future, Arizona Golfer highly recommends a look at this upscale, gated, private golf community and golf club named Corte Bella Country Club. You’ll be delighted with the ambience and friendly active community feel of the development. It could be just the lifestyle you’ve been anticipating – fulfilled.