Had the pleasure recently of experiencing Moon Valley Country Club’s completion of their renovations on the course and clubhouse. Two words for both: Amazingly Beautiful!
The course is in excellent shape with greens that putt true and hold well. The fairways are wide and lush and the 18 holes were just a joy to experience with mountain views, unbelievably beautiful mature trees throughout, babbling streams meandering through the course bordered by large homes far enough away that you only noticed their quiet, peaceful and elegant beauty. What a pleasure of a day it was for our golf group. It’s hard to not strike the ball well in this picturesque atmosphere.
For many years, I attended the Standard Register PING LPGA tournament and walked the site of Annika Sorenstam’s historic 59 at the 2001 event, but never took the opportunity to play it. Believe this, you want the chance to enjoy a round of golf at Moon Valley Country Club! And, yes, it is women friendly.
The Country Club is set in the center of a unique community that seems to take you back in time. You have the feeling that this entire area is still in the 60’s, the way Phoenix was in a slower paced time of life. It’s just the most wonderful feeling to drive in this area of Phoenix, sitting there quietly reinventing itself over and over, yet maintaining the same feel of comfort and tradition from a time past. That “feel” is about all that is standing still at Moon Valley Country Club.
With their 50th Anniversary coming up in April, 2010 the country club, long owned by legendary PING founder Karsten Solheim, is now owned by its members and operated by Troon Golf. If you are privy to the membership list, it reads like the Who’s Who in our golfing industry. Impressive and I’m sure behind the multi-million renovation to bring this club successfully to a new level of golf and country club experience.
The Club offers an excellent practice facility, pro shop, snack bar, outstanding clubhouse with indoor/outdoor dining, sports lounge, meeting rooms and executive room, ladies and men’s locker rooms, Olympic swimming pool, as well as lighted tennis courts. In other words, everything that you would look for in your country club and more, in a friendly, casual and gracious environment. Best place to be when the sun is setting is on their clubhouse patio with the fire pits roaring and overlooking the 18th green with a libation in hand and surrounded by your friends.
Hole #9, par 4. 412 yards from the tips. This is a beautiful hole with plenty of mature trees along the right fairway. Water comes into play on your left, with your 2nd shot. There is a babbling brook/creek running in front of the elongated green guarded by two bunkers on the right. This is one fine hole, however it will easily help you add some strokes to your scorecard.
Hole #13, par 5, 550 yards from the tips. This hole earns its #13 and is certainly worth mention.
Hole #18 , par 4, 454 yards from the tips. Water on the left shouldn’t come into play from the tee. Straightaway to a very wide fairway allowing you to bring out “The Big Dog” and hit away! Dogleg left with fairway cluster of bunkers on your right and the fairway really becomes undulating with your 2nd shot. Mature trees on the right come into play to large green with multiple, large deep bunkers on either side. This is one challenging and beautiful finishing hole.
If you are looking for a new country club home, you definitely need to visit Moon Valley Country Club to explore your options. For more information or membership offers, visit www.moonvalleycc.com or call 602.942.0000.