Thank You, Mr. Jones:
Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club

By Maggie Edwards,
GolfArizona.com Staff Writer

	Dove Valley Ranch

First of all, forget the bag drop. They met me at my car as I drove into the parking place, unloaded my clubs, asked my tee time and told me the rest of my group was on the range. That was an impressive beginning. Enter the pro shop which is tastefully done and well stocked. The staff couldn’t have been more professional and accommodating.

Don’t try to buy a bucket of balls. They are complimentary on the range. At tee time, one of the bag boys led us to our tee, gave us the little yardage book and told us we could call in our snack order on number 9 for pick-up at the turn.

	Hole No. 4

There are 3 holes with water, 2 of which are on the front. Number 2 is the only one where you have to be a bit strategic with your drive. Hole 8 is the number one handicap hole, but just hug the left, and you’ll avoid the desert cut-out on the right.

What a pleasure the greens were to putt! And, you can be left with some gargantuan putts on those large putting surfaces, so pay close attention to the pin placements on your shot into the green.

Given the hot summers we have in Phoenix, many of the courses right now have some really ugly brown areas in the fairways and rough. For whatever reason, Dove Valley has managed to keep their course in superb shape—better than some of the private courses I’ve played lately.

The transition between the front and the back is like the proverbial night and day. Both nines have desert areas off the fairways, but the back is prettier and tighter. Be ready for arroyos and dog legs that don’t exist on the front. The little book we were given becomes a necessity on the backside.

	Robert Trent Jones Jr.

You’ll find traps on every single hole, and the finishing hole is a nice par 4 with water on the right and plenty of traps around the green.

Don’t miss this truly enjoyable course, especially for the $40 summer weekday rate. Weekends are $55 in the summer. Peak season (Feb to April) is $95 weekdays and $125 weekends and holidays. Deduct $10 to $15 off for fall, early winter and late spring.

	Clubhouse

Dove Valley Golf Course
33244 Black Mountain Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
602-473-1444

Related Links:
• For past stories by Maggie Edwards