Nestled in the heart of Northern Arizona, StoneRidge Golf Course, which plays 7,052 yards from the back tees and offers 5 sets of tees to fit everyone’s skill level, serves up scenic views and more than 350 feet of elevation changes from the highest tee to the lowest green. The course is carved out of the spectacular stone ridges and boulder outcroppings of Prescott Valley, which makes for a breathtaking round of golf. If you love elevation changes, tight fairways (on some holes), occasional long carries and a thinking man’s course, you are going to love StoneRidge.

From the moment you arrive, seeing the green fairways with all the elevation changes throughout the valleys and ridges will take your breath away. And, you’ll be continuously awed throughout your round with the visuals of ranges and picturesque landscaping while definitely needing to hold your focus through each hole from tee box to green. This course is a challenge for the advanced golfer as well as the novice, yet fair and rewarding, as well as very woman friendly.

Remember that distances tend to play shorter due to the “Mile” high elevation, so your club selection will vary from the altitude as well as the elevation changes on each hole. Fairways offer generous roll so be careful on doglegs. This course is target golf and it’s known to change quickly with wind coming into play on occasion. Plus, remember this is mountain golf when reading the greens, it does make a difference.

Hole #5, par 4, 383 yards the tips – This is a thinking man’s hole for sure. Tee shot is over a deep ravine to a dogleg right fairway sloping down to the green. Don’t kill your drive, try to stay short of the fairway bunker. Faiway is very narrow with a bunker to the right of the green. My team was crying on this one and think they now have a chance to meet the challenge with a second and third round on the course. We’ll see.

Hole #12, par 3, 230 yards from the tips – This tee box is cliff city with its drop to the green. Whoaaa…is your first expression when you see it! Just club down enough (sometimes 2 clubs), depending on wind, and don’t overshoot the green. It’s the most fun hole on the course, in my groups’ opinion.

StoneRidge is in excellent condition with lush fairways and thick rough. It’s a course to return to over and over again because you love the scenery as much as the challenge. You will definitely want to play it a second time for that second chance to score, just ask my golfing buddies Michael, Jean-Michel and Aaron, all quoted as stating, “Next time we come early and play it twice to get those scores lower”.

The 15,000 sq. ft. clubhouse houses the well-appointed, full service pro shop, outdoor event and conference pavilion, covered patio overlooking the 9th hole, and the Grille at StoneRidge which serves up a wonderful breakfast, lunch and after golf menu and houses banquet facilities seating up to 200. The staff is wonderful about making you feel right at home and you are very aware they are there to serve your every need. Service is exceptionally outstanding.

The course offers an excellent driving range, along with putting, bunker and chipping areas. They offer several golf instruction programs: private lessons, group instruction and junior golf. StoneRidge is a public course offering limited and unbelievably affordable memberships.

StoneRidge is owned and operated by Univest, which offers a Golf Membership Program that can’t be beat! Special tuition is just $1,000 for unlimited golf with all the amentities (call or visit their website for full disclosure) and only $166.67 monthly fees. Contact Tom Catanazarite at tcatanzarite@cableone.net or Justin Henderson at jhenderson@stoneridgegolf.com for all membership programs and more information.

“We have products and programs that can satisfy the private club player with a variety of membership types, the daily fee player with competitive green fee rates and the resort player wanting to experience a well maintained golf course in the mild summer and fall environment,” stated Henderson, Head Golf Professional at StoneRidge. Daily fees range from $32 to $48, weekdays and weekends through September, 2013.

StoneRidge is an easy 75 to 90 minute drive from the west Valley, Scottsdale and Phoenix, respectively.

Experience the “Mile” high country…you won’t be disappointed. And, yes, I consider this course a “Must Play” many times on your summer and fall list of best courses to play.