Whirlwind Golf Club Shows Superior Foresight
PHOENIX - When I first heard that someone was building a golf course on the Gila River Indian Reservation I thought that maybe this whole golf course thing had finally gone too far. I mean, who's going to travel all the way south of Phoenix to play golf when there are a ton of world-class and world-famous courses in Scottsdale, to Phoenix's north?
Then again, this is Troon.
Showing superior foresight for this stretch of untamed desert, Troon has proven there's substance behind the shiny reputation. With the help of designer Gary Panks, Whirlwind Golf Club is a truly enjoyable experience that will keep you coming back despite its unusual location.
Whirlwind opened for public play on November 1, 2000. Located just west of I-10 off the Maricopa Road exit (look for the giant sign touting the Reservation's casino), it's easy enough to get to even though you won't see the course from the freeway.
The newly landscaped road that leads to the clubhouse is lined with palo verde trees, ocotillo and occasional saguaro and smaller cactus. The unassuming buildings belie the grandeur behind - 18 holes of rolling and (thankfully) forgiving fairways and somewhat devious tiered greens.
Whirlwind was designed to reflect the culture of the native people, and each hole has a name and story associated with it. Passing the generous driving range area and approaching #1 you'll encounter the first of many stone markers with both native and English names, but you'll have to refer to your yardage guide for the background. An interesting education, but the course beckons.
This is not a course that's going to beat you up on difficulty. The first few holes play cleanly, with fair challenges if you're paying attention to strategy.
The 7th hole, Dragonfly Falls, is Whirlwind's signature, one of only two water features on the course. This par-3 will force you to carry over the lake from all but the front tees. And watch out for the waterfall sitting off the right side of the green - I'm assured it's already taken its fair share of little white balls.
The 9th hole presents a different challenge, a split fairway. Play to the right and you're safer, but it's a longer way to the green and you're at a less than ideal angle for your approach shot.
There's a narrow landing area if you choose the left, but if you've got good control from your tee shot you'll be rewarded with a much better approach to the green. This hole requires thoughtful strategy without insisting on target practice, a nice balance.
Playing, though, one can't help but notice the stillness of the environment. The peaceful atmosphere really allows you to enjoy your surroundings to the fullest, from the sound of running water on hole 7 to the native wildflowers around the tee boxes and the birds flitting from one palo verde tree to the next.
Because there are no land or water restrictions on the reservation, the native flora and fauna are watered regularly creating what can only be described as a "lush desert" look. By the time you get to Whirlwind's satisfying closing holes, you're relaxed and ready.
A desert wash that stretches about 70 yards wide laying 50 yards out from the green is what you face on hole 17. Make your decision after your tee shot. Stronger players may want to try to clear the wash quickly, but beware the four bunkers guarding the green on the right. Hole 18, aptly named Going Home, points you back toward the clubhouse with a nod toward the Native traditional Going Home ceremonial song.
Your best angle would be to play down the right, but that's also a good way to get into trouble, especially if you're not a long hitter. Coming in from the left is easier, but there's a long and deep bunker guarding the green on the left side.
It's going to be tricky getting into a good scoring opportunity from both your tee and approach shots. Stay on your toes-- don't get too relaxed during the day or you'll spoil a perfectly good closing hole.
While the course is currently finished and hosting a full crowd on the weekends, there is much more construction ahead for this community. The clubhouse will be finished the last week of December 2000, and features a domed entry with a whirlwind basket weave pattern in the ceiling and large picture windows giving an expansive view of the mountains and course.
Amenities at the clubhouse include a restaurant and separate lounge, men's and women's locker rooms and showers, a shoe shine room and a private dining room that seats about 15. By Fall 2002, a second Gary Panks 18 hole championship course is expected to open along with a full service Sheraton resort and a re-creation of the Gila River. Once the groundbreaking starts I imagine there will be some distraction during play, but because the existing course winds north and east, away from the clubhouse and proposed resort area, it shouldn't be too bad. The river re-creation may present some problems, however, as it is expected to run through the complex. I would recommend asking about construction when you make your tee times in future months.
Right now the course gets very busy on weekends, so if you're traveling from out-of-state to play, consider using one of the golf vacation packagers who can guarantee your tee time about 90 days out, or play mid-week to get last-minute access. Instruction is also available courtesy of Head Pro Steve Schyberg at a very reasonable $50 per 45-minute session. Future plans for the golf club include a permanent home for one of the major instruction schools, but those details are not yet determined.
The course's location does seem to be on the fringes of Phoenix, but there's plenty around if you know where to look. Head north on I-10 just a few miles to the Ray Road exit for dozens of restaurants, shopping areas and movie theaters.
You might also want to consider ice-skating at the indoor Polar Ice rink or another round of golf at nearby Ocotillo Golf Club, both in the city of Chandler and within minutes of Whirlwind.
With so much new construction along the freeway, one hardly feels like it's the middle of nowhere. If this pace of growth continues, there may not be an unpaved square foot left. That may be terrific for the local economy, but I predict we'll soon be very grateful to have such wide-open desert land still available to enjoy.
Whirlwind Golf Club
5770 North Loop Road
Chandler, Arizona 85226.5692
Phone: 520.796.4653 (GOLF)
Fax: 520.796.1829
June 2, 2000