Eagle Mountain Golf Club: Elevating Sonoran Desert golf

Situated high in the McDowell Mountains, it’s Scottsdale golf on another level

That’s Golf:  420-yard par 4 18th hole plays dramatically downhill
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Golfers from across the globe travel to the Valley of the Sun to play golf. And if they’re going to make the trip, might as well choose a golf course that captures the unique spirit of golf in the Sonoran Desert. To that end, they can’t go wrong with Eagle Mountain Golf Club.

After touchdown at Sky Harbor, most golf vacationers find themselves traveling northbound on the 101 to Scottsdale. As they gaze starboard, the saddle-shaped mountain in the distance marks their destination as well as the core of what make’s Eagle Mountain so special – elevation.

Eagle Mountain’s lofty vantage point high in the McDowell Mountains offers extraordinary views that stretch for miles. In fact, a nearby roadside scenic overlook, built long before the golf course, shares the same commanding views. So, next time you’re cruising towards Fountain Hills on Shea Boulevard, swing into the pullout near the top of the hill and take a look for yourself.

The elevation changes found throughout the golf course add an element of beauty and challenge to the layout as it plunges through thickly vegetated arroyos and sweeps across sundrenched desert ridges. Desert comes into play throughout the round with bold as well as conservative options baked into a design that is more forgiving than it appears. Several of the corridors slope towards the center of the fairways providing a helpful kick. However, the other side usually falls dramatically into deep arroyos loaded with lush stands of Saguaros, Mesquites, Palo Verdes and all manner of wildlife.

After blasting a drive over the ridge on the first hole named Taking Flight, golfers get a preview of the risk-reward challenges they’ll face throughout the round. Moving on: the par-5, 4th hole also plays downhill with a tempting opportunity to give it a go after a strong tee shot. The balance of the front nine features holes dubbed Washout, Arroyo Run, and On the Rocks, while the backside features holes appropriately labeled Ascension, Staircase and The Chasm.

The course ambles along with a variety of scenic holes leading up to the finishing stretch. Nos. 16 and 17 call for healthy carries over gnarly desert washes as they bend around the belly of a steep mountain.

After that, golfers scramble up to the 18th tee to launch their drives from the dramatically elevated tee box.

Golf is not the only action at Eagle Mountain that takes advantage of the wonderful views. The Grille serves up breakfast, lunch and early afternoon appetizers behind floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the golf course and the Southeast Valley in the distance. Wednesday night’s “Border Disorder” dinner buffet offers a hearty helping of Southwest-inspired fare and drink specials.

Right next door, the Overlook Pavilion dresses up as an idyllic wedding location for ceremonies, receptions and other special events. This climate-controlled facility also opens to a neatly manicured event lawn. Of course, the same wonderful views are on full display. At sunset, it’s one of the dreamiest places on the planet.

Wedding goers – and golfers – looking for a quiet place to lay their heads won’t need to go far from the clubhouse. The Inn at Eagle Mountain transforms this picturesque corner of Scottsdale into a destination with 43 mini-suites terraced along the 18th hole. Each offers luxury amenities with Southwestern décor that embraces serenity and the mystery of the desert while staying close to the heartbeat of Scottsdale and all it has to offer: including golf.

Eagle Mountain is a great place to shave a few strokes off the game. Headed by Derek Nannen, The Eagle Mountain Golf Academy is one of the premier golf schools in Arizona. His experiences on the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour – added to the club’s fantastic facilities – sets the stage for productive learning sessions for golfers of all abilities. 

For those who want more golf, Eagle Mountain offers a handful of programs that allow frequent players to save a few bucks. In addition to low summertime rates, there’s a summer pass, junior card and an annual pass for reduced rates in high season. Plus, cardholders may also stock up in the golf shop and fuel up in the Grille for less – all strong incentives for golfers to make Eagle Mountain their home course.

Golf destinations world-wide stand out in their own unique way, and in the Valley of the Sun that means desert golf. To be fair, there’s also a host of solid parkland-style golf courses, but that experience can be found just about anywhere. So, next time Uncle Joe drops into town from Chicago, tell him to give Eagle Mountain Golf Club a try. If he isn’t already a fan of Sonoran Desert golf, he will be.

To learn more, visit EagleMTN.com or call 480.816.1964.