Arizona's Sizzling Hot Group Deals

By Scott Behmer Southern Arizona Bureau Chief

TUCSON - One of the most fun aspects of a round of golf is the joking, encouragement, and competition that comes in playing with a group of friends. The round's not measured by score alone, but by big laughs and the occasional great shot that shocks your buddies.

However, with ever-increasing greens fees, it's becoming more and more difficult to get those groups of friends together as often as one might like. Currently, though, there are four courses in different parts of Arizona offering bargain deals specifically for groups. And two of them are for free.

Through August, Chuparosa Golf Club in Queen Creek (southeast of Scottsdale) has a Monday through Thursday special of free golf from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Or for only $8 you can have a golf cart for the 18 holes. Four days advance reservations are available to ensure the number of tee times needed for the party.

This moderately difficult par 71 layout is ideal for group play. It's forgiving off the tee yet still has some very challenging holes. The 225-yard, par-3 11th hole is the most difficult hole on the course. Make par and you're a shoe-in for a skin. The red tees adjust appropriately, insuring the course plays at the same difficulty for all skill levels, making this a fun course for a family outing.

Chuparosa's large clubhouse will help all relax after the round, and its pro shop offers a wide variety of golfing amenities. Call 480-987-3633 for more information.

The Cotton Fields Golf Club in Phoenix has its own free golf deal. To celebrate their first anniversary they're providing free golf for any group of 12 or larger. Carts are just $8. Groups of 12 to 144 can be accommodated.

Cotton Fields consists of two 18-hole championship courses that can be yours with a reservation. But even if you cannot get a large enough group together, its still only $8 per person. Director of golf Kurt Krause says Cotton Fields just wants to promote the course by having groups come out and play, hoping that they'll tell their friends what a stellar course it is. The free golf deal lasts until October 9. Contact the course at 623-237-4567.

In Apache Junction, Gold Canyon Golf Resort is promoting its newest design, the Sidewinder Course, where a foursome can play for only $100. With its rave reviews come fall the rates will almost certainly jump back into line with the other two excellent courses at Gold Canyon.

The Sidewinder Course is a par 71, 6500-yard desert layout. Sculpted with intense care to preserve the beautiful environment, there are small greens and tee boxes and accompanying tight fairways with little rough. It's set at the base of the Superstition Mountains and comes complete with rock outcroppings and an abundance of natural wildlife.

Further, you may already be aware of the renowned practice facilities and clubhouse which it shares with Gold Canyon's other two resort courses. For more information, call 480-982-9449.

Finally, the Raven at Sabino Springs in Tucson offers the unique deal of a ten-play pass for $350. This pass can be used for consecutive plays or by two or more playing together. So up to ten can play on one pass for just $35 each, over half off the normal rate. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., The Raven is one of Tucson's best layouts.

Its desert beauty, stunning views, and creative design make it a must-play on anyone's list. Further, each cart has both a mist system which cools the air up to 25 degrees in the summer and a GPS tracker that presents each hole on a screen, showing the hole's layout as well as detailing distances to bunkers, lay-up areas, and pins.

The golf shop is ranked as one of the nation's best by Golf Shop Operations. The clubhouse offers snacks as well as fine dining overlooking the scenic 18th hole. Contact the course at 520-749-3636.

Enjoying a round of golf with your friends is the way golf was meant to be played. So get a group together and have a great time taking advantage of one of these hot bargains.