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Upon further exploration, the architecture of these rustic abodes proves to be Santa Fe style with interiors that rival their handsome exteriors. Throw in an inviting swimming pool, a 19th Hole that functions more like a local pub than a brief stop in after a round, and a first class sit down restaurant, and you have on fully operational battleship Oh yea, and if you can get past the initial charm of the resort's other amenities, there is golf to be played. And some of the Valley's best at that. Gold Canyon Resort features two 18 hole layouts, one a first class championship course, the other a first rate bargain. The Dinosaur Mouton Course was recently rated the number two course in the state by the subscribers of Arizona Business Journal. While Golf Magazine or Golf Digest the ABJ is not, subscribers are no dummies and these savvy critics just happen to know what anyone who has played at Dinosaur Mountain knows: this is desert golf as it was meant to be. With its ridiculously low greens fees ($100 for a foursome during the summer months), the Sidewinder Course is geared towards local clientele who want to play a quality course without losing their shirts. While it does not tackle as challenging terrain or offer up as many breathtaking views as its neighbor, the "Winder" can hold its own with any course within its price range. This righteous combination of golfing democracy is largely attributable to Head Professional Scott Scherger.
"When I first got here, I thought it was unfortunate that local did not play during the winter when the conditions are so good," says Scherger. "Many local had not been out to Gold Canyon in five or six years because they didn't know what we had to offer." What "they" have is an escape from the urban grind of the Phoenix metroplex - a rustic resort a mere 30 minutes outside of the city in one of the least inhabited areas of the valley. What Scherger and friends also have is a golf course that will leave you enough money to buy a round for the guys, a golf course that will leave you either speechless or babbling for hours, customer service that almost makes you feel guilty, and variety of food and beverage to satisfy any guest.
What Gold Canyon doesn't have is the snobby pretentiousness exuded by many of the Valley's upscale resorts. Hey, nothing against posh resort golf, but don't we all feel a little more at home at a place that feels a little bit more like home? Just 35 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport waits a 24 Karat gold mine of a golf course. True to its brilliant reputation, it's called Gold Canyon Golf Resort and if you want to experience Arizona desert golf at its best this is the place to go. Picture undulating, perfectly manicured fairways stretching forever, set like jewels against pristine desert washes and towering sun drenched Arizona mountains, abundant wildlife everywhere, cotton tails, javelinas, road runners, all kinds of native birds chirping happily away and deep blue skies so clear you could almost see forever. This is what this course is all about. So blown away I was by its awesome natural beauty the first time I saw it that I made sure to bring with me two seasoned Arizona golfers for the course review, Dr. Marty Cohen of Mesa and Roger Harway of Sun Lakes, just to make sure that I had not been hypnotized by the natural beauty of this natural wonder. Between these two regular hackers who have played most every premier course in the state, I was sure to get a truly unbiased review of the course from them as well. Before proceeding with the review of the course; however, a little history on Desert Canyon Golf Resort is in order. It was built in 1996 by local architect Ken Kavanaugh in the foothills of Arizona's fabled Superstition Mountains. The course follows the natural dips and turns of the foothills with many changes in elevation from hole to hole. It is believed that the fabled Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is nestled somewhere near or on the course. The mine still has not been found but evidence of its existence are abundant. The natural beauty of the High Sonoran desert in this area is legendary. Since it is a resort, Gold Canyon offers horse back riding tours, tennis, swimming, overnight camp-outs and overnight stays in unique mountainside Casitas with amenities such as wet bars, wood burning fireplaces, spas and private patios. It's located about 20 minutes from mainstream shopping areas in Mesa but far enough away from the bustle to be considered a rural desert area. There is also a fine restaurant called Kokopelli and Greenwood's Bar and Grill on the premises. A well stocked pro shop rounds out some of the amenities at the course. The course also boasts a second 18 hole course called The Sidewinder which opened November 1st of this year. The Dinosaur Mountain course has been ranked as one of the three top public courses in the state. The Arizona Republic, Arizona's largest newspaper, described the Dinosaur Mountain course as "24 Karat Gold". Different tees allow for the playing of the course at different yardage and levels of difficulty. The Diamondback tees, which are reserved for golfers with a 10 handicap or less, run 6,584 par 70 yards. The Bobcat tees run 6,008 yards, also at a par 70. The Coyote tees run 5,498 yards at par 70 and the Roadrunner ladies' tees run 4,921 yards at a par 72. The cart path through the course covers eight miles. It's a desert links course with no parallel fairways. It follows the natural contours of the foothills.
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