Travel Feature: Phoenix's East Valley
Serves Up Summertime Golf Bargains

By Shane Sharp, Regional Staff Writer

MESA, Ariz. - Sure, we know all about some of the great golf courses of the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas, but what about Phoenix's East Valley? Mesa and Apache Junction may not lead the list of places to visit while golfing in Phoenix, but the emergence of number of inciting, affordable layouts is establishing the area surrounding Highway 60 as one of Valley golf's hidden gems.

First, let's make sure we are all on the same page, and working under the assumption that summer golf in the Valley of the Sun is not only tolerable, it is desirable. Sure, statements like this could lead to pertinent questions about our sanity, but are any rabid (not avid) golfers really sane?

Courses in the Valley that are virtually unplayable by locals in the winter season become as affordable as municipal courses during the blazing "dry heat" of the summer months. Likewise, posh hotel rooms and other Phoenix area accommodations and recreation becomes as affordable as the surrounding golf courses.

A plethora of East Valley courses and hotels come into play in the summer, but this week we'll focus on a two day golf binge that will take you through 36 holes of quality golf, land you in a hotel with one of the largest pools in Phoenix, keep you neck deep in good eats, and even offer up some extracurricular activities for those in the party that may not think that chasing the white ball around in triple digit heat is the prudent thing to do.

The kicker is, this East Valley golf binge will leave you with more than a few dollars for a few friendly Nassau's out on the course - the whole enchilada will run you less than $200 excluding air fare (if you can convince friends and relatives that you are not crazy for actually flying into Phoenix during the summer) and any shopping sprees at the local mall or pro shops.

Coming this Week:
Where to Play
Where to Stay
Grub
If You Don't Golf...