We-Ko-Pa Golf Club sits at top of class in Arizona

Saguaro No. 10 – 337 yard Par 4. Photo: Lonna Tucker
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Long known as one of the best tracks in Arizona since the first tee shot in 2006, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro course is now getting the national recognition it deserves. Just last May, Golf Digest announced its “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” with We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro course coming in at No. 98 – one of only two Arizona courses on the list. 

We-Ko-Pa joins other courses who have solidified their positions over the better part of a century like Harbour Town, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2 and other hallowed grounds of golf, proving just making Golf Digest’s list is an extraordinary accomplishment in and of itself. But more than that, it’s a testament to the incredible minimalist design of Coore & Crenshaw, and the countless hours of effort required to maintain high-quality golf in such a wild and pristine desert landscape without disturbing the natural flow of the land. 

Golf Digest isn’t the only publication who lays thick praise for We-Ko-Pa’s two magnificent courses. The Saguaro course has held the top spot in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in Each State” for 10 of the last 11 years, while Cholla – Saguaro’s sister course designed by Scott Miller – earned a top-10 spot since 2007. GOLF magazine routinely holds both courses in high regard, with 13 top-100 rankings in the last 11 years. And if peer-to-peer rankings are more your style, look no further than Golf Advisor or social media channels to see what We-Ko-Pa regulars have to say. Hint – top of class. 

But playing here will probably break the bank, you say? Top courses demand top dollar, right? Wrong. Those with an Arizona driver’s license or state ID can expect high-season rates under $120, and if you dare to brave the heat during the summer months, We-Ko-Pa rates hover between $45-$75. These incredibly competitive rates cement We-Ko-Pa as one of the best golf deals in the state, bar none, and allow Arizona residents to play the best courses at the best value all year long. 

Looking for even more of a buyer’s edge? Hop online and grab your 2018 annual We-Ko-Pass to get even more bang for your buck out at We-Ko-Pa. Pass holders – and their guests – enjoy preferred rates at We-Ko-Pa and a host of other courses. Pass holders also have the option of four-day advance booking windows, 20 percent off golf shop merchandise, a complimentary logoed cap, and one free round with every five paid cardholder rounds. 

Local Valley residents know all too well – when the mercury hits triple digits, it’s time to head north. But if you can’t find the time to get out of Dodge, or your boss needs those TPS reports finished by Monday, the stay-cation is the next best thing. We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference center is just a complimentary shuttle ride away from We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, where you and your buddies can stay in golf-themed suites after your morning round and relax in the living room while watching the race for the FedEx Cup. Keeping in line with We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s value, stay-and-play packages which include one round of golf at We-Ko-Pa and one night stay at We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center will run you just $310 through mid-October.

Unlike other Arizona golf courses, there are no homes, condos or townhomes lining these fairways. At We-Ko-Pa, the Sonoran Desert is your neighbor and the term “high-rise” is either used to describe the ancient saguaros in the foreground or the magnificent mountains in the distance. The variety in the routing and pacing of holes will keep all levels of golfers entertained from opening tee shot to final tap-in. Both courses, Cholla and Saguaro, are worthy of the praise they’ve received, not only from the giants of the golf industry, but also – and more importantly – from the everyday players who take time out of their day to show their admiration for We-Ko-Pa. There’s no doubt, when you think of the best golf around, you have to think We-Ko-Pa.