Scottsdale: The Golf Mecca of the American Southwest
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - As golf enthusiasts know, Scottsdale is the Southwest's mecca for golf. With more than 329 days of sunshine, rugged Sonoran Desert scenery and a diverse collection of more than 174 courses in the area, Scottsdale beckons golfers from across the globe.
Swing into Spas. Recognized the world over as a premier spa and golf destination, many Scottsdale spa treatments are tailored to the golfer. Designed to enhance performance by getting the entire body and mind involved in the game, golf-oriented massages and treatments combine spa and sport to make any golf vacation complete. The Phoenician's Centre for Well Being "Golf Power" equips golfers of all abilities with the advanced tools to improve physical and mental power on the course through an exciting combination of golf and spa.
The two-part program includes the Automated Sports Training And Research (ASTAR) digital golf analysis to examine the golfer's technical form, and a training session with an exercise therapist to target postural misalignment and imbalances affecting stance and swing. The Sonoran Spa at The Boulders offers a massage treatment aimed at improving and refining golf games. The Golfer's Massage is designed to enhance performance on the course by targeting specific muscle groups, concentrating on the neck, shoulders, lower back and hamstrings. This massage is ideal for both pre-game conditioning and post-game soreness.
Stretch and Strengthen for your Swing. Statistics show that more and more people are taking up golf. Trends show that yoga has entered the mainstream fitness realm. "Yoga for Golfers" focuses on the similarities between the two to help golfers improve flexibility, range of motion and concentration. Check out the program at The Boulders or book the program as a corporate meeting twist.
Lift off with Heli-Golf. Once reserved for players featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Heli-golf (reaching the links by chartered helicopter), is now an option for Scottsdale visitors and residents alike through Resort Suites of Scottsdale. The chopper picks guests up at Scottsdale Airport and delivers the foursome to tees at Sedona Golf Resort in Sedona, Gold Canyon in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, or Starr Pass in Tucson. The Heli-Golf Adventure includes breakfast, round trip ground and air transportation, green fees and a complimentary camera, as well as breathtaking views of Arizona's scenic terrain. Heli-Golf gives resort guests the opportunity to play an outstanding Arizona golf course without the long drive, and you get the added experience of the helicopter ride.
Phoenix Rising. Not only loved by the players of the game, golf is also the number one spectator sport in Scottsdale. Home to the nationally acclaimed Phoenix Open held at the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, Scottsdale boasts an abundance of year round golf events. Rounding out the bill of great golf events is the Senior PGA tournament and the Arizona Open at Troon Golf & Country Club.
Women Break Through the Grass Ceiling. Research shows that more and more women are taking up the game of golf and Scottsdale properties are meeting the demand with programs tailored to the woman golfer. The Boulders' "Women to the Fore" program is designed for all woman golfers offering a comprehensive approach to the game designed to help new women golfers learn the game and help advanced golfers perfect the sport. The Phoenician's "Ladies Links" marries golf and spa to a tee.
Real "Humdingers." Whether your mission is to patrol the links or perform a little neighborhood "recon," Scottsdale's acclaimed In Celebration of Golf mega golf specialty store now offers a new breed of personal electric vehicles modeled after the muscular Hummer SUV. When not on the course, off-road Hummer tours are a wonderful way to enjoy the Sonoran Desert's history and beautiful flora and fauna. Colorful guides provide entertaining stories of the Old West (including a tall tale or two!) as well as interesting facts about cacti, plants, and wildlife.
Romance on the Golf Course. Both The Boulders and The Phoenician resorts offer Tee Box dinners, a romantic sunset dinner set out on the green of one of the holes of the resort golf course. At The Boulders, each couple can select the location from three holes, arrange for their favorite music, flowers and wine. Almost any request can be fulfilled, from arranging for a violinist or a horse-drawn carriage to creating a special dessert. Right before sunset, the couple is picked up at their casita in a golf cart and escorted out to the tee box. The couple will arrive to find the table perfectly set with fine china and linens, and candles surrounding the tee box and scattered throughout the location to provide a romantic glow. At The Phoenician, couples can select a menu from any of the resort's dining venues, as well as choose wine from the resort's expansive wine cellars. The Phoenician's finest linens, crystal and china, candles, and a personal tuxedo-dressed waiter enhance this dreamy dining experience. Music can also be arranged, as well as lounge chairs to enjoy after-dinner cordials.
Scottsdale Golf Garners Awards. The following are just some of the awards Scottsdale golf has been honored with. Golf Digest magazine recently ranked Scottsdale eighth on its prestigious list of "50 Top Golf Destinations" in the world. GOLF Magazine named 11 Scottsdale golf instructors among the "Top 100 Teachers in America 2001-2002." Six Scottsdale golf courses were named in GOLF Magazine's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" in the United States. Readers of Conde Nast Traveler ranked three Scottsdale resorts among the "Top 50 Golf Resorts." Meetings & Conventions magazine honored five Scottsdale resorts with the Gold Tee Award for 2001.
January 2, 2002