Moon Valley 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 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 in 2010, the country club, long owned by legendary PING founder Karsten Solheim, is now under new ownership. If you are privy to the membership list, it reads like the Who’s Who in our golfing community, impressive and behind the multi-million renovation that brought this club successfully to a new level of golf and country club experience. The Moon Valley Clubhouse won the “2009 Renovation of the Year Award” by Golf Inc. Magazine.

The Club offers an excellent practice facility, pro shop, snack bar, outstanding clubhouse with indoor/outdoor dining, sports lounge, meeting rooms and executive room, ladie’s 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.

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 bordered by large homes far enough away that you only notice 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.

Hole #1, par 4, 408 yards from the tips – Try to channel Annika Sorenstam on the first tee box as 14 years ago she shot a 59 and won the LPGA event here. Trees on the right merge with the adjoining fairway for a tough approach shot on this blind dogleg right. Go straight down the middle and enjoy a chance at your first birdie.

Hole #9, par 4, 412 yards from the tips – This just looks fun from the tee box and it is. The lake on the left is reachable for the biggest hitters and challenging to fly over when short of it so a drive to right center has the best angle to the green. A lovely little stream runs close by the front of the green where ducks hang out to quack a laugh at errant golfers. Strike a pose on the Swilcan type bridge and cross over to the green. Stay out of the water, out of the bunkers and you will laugh, too.

Hole #10, par 5, 570 yards – The elevated launch pad of tees will guide you to the opening of this long dogleg left. A few nasty bunkers guard the inner edge of the fairway to cut off any drive consideration of shortcutting the corner attempting to reach in two. The tall Eucalyptus trees that permeate the course shade houses on the right and maintenance shed on the left. A fairway bunker lies in wait about 150 yards from the green on the right side where the fairway narrows. It is a great beginner test to the closing nine.

Hole #17, par 4, 396 yards – A favorite of visitors and members alike, is the water protected 17th. A sweeping left to right angle around the housing and tree lined fairway will delight those with natural fading drives for right handers or draws for lefties. A large lake guards the front and side of the green. An elephant might be buried in the middle dividing the green into two distinct surfaces. High-lipped bunkers sit inbetween the water and green. Hope that the superintendent was in a good mood when positioning the flagstick. If near the ridge and you catch the wrong side, expect a three putt.

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!

Moon Valley Country Club has a variety of memberships available and one that will fit your lifestyle. From Full Golf Memberships, Tennis, Clubhouse and even a Kids Golf Membership, this Club offers a variety that will suit your exact needs. Contact Tim Maguire, Director of Membership at 602.375.4413 or tmaguire@moonvalleycc.com for more information and the perfect fit for you and your family.

If you are looking for a new country club home, you definitely need to visit Moon Valley Country Club to explore your options.