Renovated and renamed McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale is worth a second look
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- McDowell Mountain Golf Club has a new name and new operators to go with a golf course that has a brand new look.
Formerly known as Sanctuary Golf Course, McDowell Mountain G.C. is located just northwest of downtown Scottsdale, Ariz., and is set beside the McDowell Mountains. The course is on land co-owned by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Scottsdale and is almost entirely void of any neighboring residential development alongside playing corridors.
Phil Mickelson led a group of investors who took over Sanctuary in 2010 and renovated the golf course, which is set along historic Rio Verde Canal in Scottsdale. The team called back original architect Randy Heckenkemper, and under his eye the course was cleaned up, re-contoured and lengthened. The back tees now play more than 7,000 yards, while the removal of bunkers and addition of turf in strategic areas makes it more playable for higher handicappers. Native rock was cleaned up and turned into small little walls in the desert areas, and a variety of trees were also planted. The forward set of tees now plays a modest 4,880 yards.
The practice area is also better than ever, home to grass hitting bays and plenty of room for clinics and lessons, plus new, larger putting and chipping greens.
The clubhouse at McDowell Mountain is also being entirely rebuilt and will open 11,000 square feet of space in January 2013, plus 2,000 square feet of outdoor patio space overlooking the golf course.
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