Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2021 - 19

MOUNTAIN COURSE AT THE LODGE AT VENTANA CANYON, ARIZ.
NV
UT
AZ
NM
N.M. « Ariz.:
Last stop before Phoenix is four hours away in Tucson, the first
Tom Fazio courses on the trip. Plural, as the master of look-hardplay-easy
(some say) has created the Mountain and Canyon
courses at Lodge at Ventana Canyon. The par-three third hole on
the Mountain Course may be the most photographed hole in the
west, with good reason: an uphill poke over rocks surrounded by
a veritable cathedral of cacti.
The resort might repay one last stay and play, especially with a
package now being offered with wellness maven Canyon Ranch.
Nev. « Utah:
Okay, so we really only went to Las Vegas
so we can then zoom in under two hours
toward St. George, Utah, for its hiking, biking
and Zion National Park canyoneering possibilities. But also
because it's loaded with wonderful golf-Sand Hollow, The
Ledges and Entrada at Sand Canyon to name a few.
(David
McLay Kidd's ten-month and $7 million renovation at Entrada
should be completed later this year or in early 2022.)
But if you haven't quite gotten Vegas out of your system and
want to hazard putting your amateur status in jeopardy, there's
a nine-hole Skins tournament every Wednesday at Copper Rock
in Hurricane with $500 and side bets on the line.
UT
Homeward Bound
Ariz. « Nev.:
When spring beckons and you've had your
fill of PHX's golfing splendors, detour north
to Las Vegas, because, well, Vegas, and its limitless
lures. Rather than take out a second mortgage
to play Shadow Creek, pull up in Henderson for a
round at Reflection Bay Golf Club, the only Nicklaus
Signature design in the state. Playing stunningly along Lake
Las Vegas, the course was frequently the home of the late (if not
overly lamented) Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge.
NV
AZ
FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST, UTAH
CO
Utah « Colo.:
Even on the interstate, it's a hefty five-hour plus trip back
through Colorado to Grand Junction, but it's a pretty drive,
especially on I-70. More National Park wonder awaits at the
Fishlake National Forest, including the stunning 23-mile Rim
Rock Drive. The Monument even serves as a backdrop for your
golf drives at Jim Engh's boisterous design at Redlands Mesa.
After one more stop in Denver, it's time to retrace your miles
through Nebraska and play the courses you missed-or play
them again-before heading home.
But let's put a cherry on top of
that Denver stop-a round at the
Commonground Golf Course in
Aurora, a Tom Doak design for (and
the home of) the Colorado Golf
Association. The course slogan is
" located at the intersection of mission
and masterpiece, " and while few
would rate the course among Doak's
finest, it certainly fulfills the mission
of fun, including a nine-hole short
course aimed at younger golfers.
After many a mile and not a few
REFLECTION BAY GOLF CLUB, NEV.
rounds, we may be somewhat older
golfers following our great exodus
and return. But just think-in about
six months we could start plotting a
new route-or do it all over again.
mngolf.org
Fall 2021 MINNESOTAGOLFER
19
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2021

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