Prescott: A golf mystery waitingto be discovered

Prescott has long been an Arizona secret. Its history may date back to when Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp used to visit when they needed an escape from Tombstone, but its legend rarely travels outside the state borders. If you are from Phoenix, you know Prescott is a great place to dodge the oppressive summer heat. If you are from Flagstaff, you know Prescott is the place to go to get out of the sometimes outright chilling winter winds.

But venture outside The Grand Canyon State and Prescott largely remains a mystery, its charming old-time downtown streets and its ancient Victorian homes almost as undiscovered by tourists now as Arizona was in general back before the gold rush boom of the mid 19th century.

Not surprisingly, it's a few club-toting, birdie-seekers who are starting to change that. Prescott is emerging as a golf destination, a quality, lower-priced alternative to the crowded meccas of Phoenix and Scottsdale. With this weather -- some argue Prescott boasts the best, most consistently livable climate in all of Arizona -- it was only a matter of time. And it appears like the time is now.

"I think it's just at the starting point now as a place to come and play,'' said Ray Veach, manager of the Villas at the Ridge, a condo complex that only recently began seeking out golfers. "It's a place that's ready to take off, it's only going to get bigger in golf in the next few years, but it's still not too crowded or too big."

Prescott has a half dozen courses at the moment with two more on the way. It is 100 miles from Phoenix, 85 miles from Flagstaff, just close enough to the major airports to draw the slightly adventurous golfers who want something more than the usual tried and true courses.

Chances are they will be as surprised about the variety of the courses as most first-time visitors are about the weather.

Prescott Golf Courses

Antelope Hills Golf Course: Actually two separate and very distinct 18-hole courses, this city-owned complex is set up at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The South Course is a links style track, giving Prescott the distinction of having what Veach calls "an almost British Open feel" course in the middle of the desert. It offers views of the towering mountains that help provide Prescott with its temperate temperatures from several holes.

The North Course is as different as can be from its sister, offering a tighter, more traditional layout. The greens are known locally for their speed, but it is the Elm trees -- some standing as tall as 50 feet -- that are likely to capture the attention of the first-time Prescott golfer.

Throw in greens fees that top out around $40 and it is easy see how this could become one of the more popular stops in this new golf destination.

Prescott Lakes: A Hale Irwin designed course managed by the goliath Troon Golf, this is one of the more ambitious projects in Prescott. It measures 7,216 yards from the back tees, including a 601-yard par-5 and a 240-yard par-3. Each hole is individually named and the course is geared to take advantage of both its desert waste and lake surroundings.

StoneRidge: Elevation changes are the name of the game here with swings from the tees that could make the most even-keeled soul feel Vertigo. The drop from tee to the fairways is as steep as 350 feet. The stretch of 12 through 15 is particularly height challenging. Designer Randy Heckenkemper likes to compare his course his course to a roller coaster. This for a high season $55 greens fee that wouldn't even be enough to get a ticket into some amusement parks.

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Prescott County Club: Set in the middle of a housing development, this course provides much more water challenges than you expect in a desert. It has three ponds and a creek to work around. It tops at 6,783 yards from the back tees and is designed as more of an accuracy than booming driver test. Unlike many country clubs, you can get on and play it as a visitor.

Hassayampa: This Tom Weiskopf design is members only, meaning you'll have to make a quick local friend to get on. It is a spread out 18 that weaves through terrain as varied as rock walls, pine tree patches and running streams. With many Arizonians choosing Prescott as a retirement home, the linked housing development is a favorite.

Stay & Play packages

The prices average out at around $600 per person. It will also stray from its package script to fit your specific needs. Veach recently booked an eight-day trip for a group from Chicago.

Local Restaurants

The Palace (928) 777-8308 - The oldest saloon in Arizona (dating back to the 1880s) features the requisite long bar, but it is the dining room with original cowboy-sized steak portions that draw most of the attention these days.

Murphy's (928) 445-4044 - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this place strives to keep its setting historically accurate. From the modern cooking, locals recommend the fish dishes.

Rose Restaurant (928) 777-8308) - Touted as the most creative restaurant in Prescott, its menu is heavily Italian-inspired with various pastas and osso buco dishes.

Prescott Brewing Company (928) 771-2795) - Offers a nice selection of beers on tap along with the usual pub grub food (burgers, fish & chips, small pizzas, etc.) Particularly popular with the thirty something set.

Other Attractions

Prescott has a national forest in its backyard, the fittingly named Prescott National Forest. Thumb Butte a protruding rocky ridge that towers over the forest is a favorite visiting point with views of the entire area. You can see falcons and all sorts of wild life in this area. And if hiking's not your thing, mountain bikes are also available for rent.

Watson Lakes are renowned for their beauty with boat rentals readily available. If you can do it in the outdoors, you can do it in Prescott.

For the more commerce minded, there are a host of antique shops and a Western art galleries downtown.

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