By Shannon Gazze,
FLAGSTAFF – When I decided to move from the golf mecca of Phoenix back to my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, and thus reluctantly forfeit my position as GolfArizona.com’s Valley Editor, I figured, “Why not go out with a bang?” I scheduled a trip with two goals - to get home (eventually) and, more importantly, to golf my way back there. And through the miracle of the internet, I’m bringing you with me. I’ll be checking in from several spots across the country, reporting in on the state of golf and the travel scoop at each locale. First stop – Flagstaff. With the 100-degree temperatures now steadily hitting the Valley of the Sun, May is the perfect time to head up North. Yes, the sun is still shining, but at 7,000 feet, a steady, cool breeze sweeps through the Northern Arizona pines like a constant whisper. I have to admit, though, it was hard to leave Phoenix. I’m not referring only to the mental aspect of forgoing the chance to play beautifully manicured desert courses every week. Clearing all the junk out of my condo turned out to be a lot more agonizing than I anticipated and I got a very late start. Counting my blessings, however, I lingered just long enough to see a real live Road Runner scoot across my parking lot. That was a first for me. As I climbed past the 5,000-foot and then 6,000-foot elevation markers and watched the blurs of yellow and green out the windows of my overstuffed Mazda, the anticipation within me of mountain golf began to climb as well. Growing up in PA, I learned that good skiing in the winter makes for good golf in the summer because of the rugged, hilly courses that wind through such terrain. As luck would have it, my destination of Elden Hills Golf Club would be exactly that kind of course.
Nevertheless, I had reached my first checkpoint and was determined to get the most out of it. Elden Hills was quaint, but not impressive upon my first inspection. A dignified, old wooden structure housed the restaurant and clubhouse. It was undergoing some renovation, but as I came to find, so was the entire course. Bobcats drilled out sand traps and trenches and some of the evidence of renovations was already visible in the deeper bunkers of the back nine. I walked into the clubhouse and was given a warm greeting from the staff, which was friendly and accommodating despite the racket the construction workers were making several feet away. They told me to grab a cart, or walk if I wished. Usually walking is not even an option on mountainous courses, but Elden Hills prides itself on its short layout and modest tee-to-green treks. The course plays to only 6,029 yards from the white tees and 5,380 yards from the reds (that’s it, no blues). So I took advantage of the offer and set out on foot.
To be fair, the condition of the greens varies widely on the course, with those before No. 9 being mostly of the variety described above and those from the ninth on improving at least two tiers. The latter greens are larger and have filled in much better from the winter months. They are fairly slow, but soft and full. Though it is not long or difficult, Elden Hills is very tight at times. A good portion of the course is carved through pine forest, leaving little rough area. The rest of the holes are set in the valley of the San Francisco peaks around three large lakes. And as I found out the hard way, the many resort cabins and houses tucked along the Elden Hills fairways add even more out-of-bounds area. The short, winding course makes par-5s fun to play at Elden Hills. No. 3 doglegs to the right up a hill and marks the first climb into the pines. No. 9 is a fine finishing hole with a blind lake awaiting the long driver and another jaunt up hill to a large and attractive slopping green. No. 14 is a short but tight dog leg right, and is the best birdie chance on the course. Elden Hills boasts some novel par-3s as well. Elevated tees on Nos. 8, 13 and 15 make for some interesting golf shots, especially in the constant breeze that blows through the mountain tops. If you are planning a trip to Flagstaff or even just passing through town, make sure you check out the Elden Hills web site at www.golfflagstaff.com. It is a first rate site with all the rates and pertinent information you need as well as a hole-by-hole description of the course. And unless you are a member of one of the two exclusive private courses in town, the Elden Hills URL rings true: Elden Hills is golf in Flagstaff. When we walked off the 18th, evening was approaching. I took a ride into town to take in some of the local flavor.
Location is Flagstaff’s biggest strength. It is right on US-40, attracting travelers headed out west, and I-17, the only logical way to get to Phoenix and Tucson. It is also within a short drive of at least seven outdoor attractions, including Meteor Crater, a cinematic favorite, the Petrified Forest, and of course the Grand Canyon.
If you are more into the newer granola thing, then check out the Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Café downtown. Beaver Street is the first micro-brewery in Flagstaff and gives you a good college-town feel for what NAU has brought to the city. All in all, Flagstaff is an interesting place with lots of history and tourism, and not a lot of golf. The serious golfer can head down the road a bit to Sedona to experience the great courses there, but Flagstaff’s one course, Elden Hills, is a good start for a road trip like mine or an Arizona vacation. That about wraps things up from my hotel room here in Flagstaff. That’s one thing about a town full of motels: Plenty of cheap lodging. The one I picked is on Lucky Lane, which I believe was so named because you are lucky if you can find it. Next stop: Taos, New Mexico. I’ll see you there. For more information on Elden Hills, contact: Elden Hills Golf Course
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The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain