Phone: 623.388.3000
Address: 4242 North Golf Drive
Buckeye, Arizona 85396
General Manager: Jay Critcher
Head Golf Professional: Andrew Veysey
Director Sales & Marketing: Doug Foss
Course Designer/Architect: Tom Lehman and John Fought
About This Course:
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Par 72– 7258 yards from the tips
Rating/Shope: 73.8/132; 71.6/126; 68.9/119; 65.3/111; 68.3/113
Course Review
by Nancy Howard, Editor/Publisher of Arizona Golfer in 2014
Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to play Verrado Golf Club, designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought, when it was a virgin course! What an exhilarating experience. Today the course, with improvements here and there has to be even better than Lehman and Fought expected, especially with accolades of ‘2013 and 2012 Best Courses You Can Play” from Golfweek.
With overseeding completed, it’s time to get out and experience this masterpiece for the first time. Or, if you’ve played a round or two previously, then head on back as this course is in magnificent condition.
Set in the White Tank Mountains, the Verrado Golf Club delivers 7258 yards of challenging, championship golf with remarkable views of the White Tank, Estrella, and Camelback Mountains, and (40 miles away, at least) Four Peaks, the McDowells and even the Superstitions.
Verrado offers lush fairways, great sand, and slick greens that hold and putt true. However, do remember “mountain golf” when reading your putts. There’s a lot of thinking on this course, as you’re moving up and down with elevation changes throughout the White Tanks, shooting around rock ledges and over water hazards. The ambience is peaceful and quiet with plenty of wildlife…totally removed from the city sounds. Of course, you do have the occasional fly over of the F16s making you wish, just once, you could experience being in one. And, we have the F35s heading this way in January for an exceptional first sighting experience.
Verrado Golf Club offers an excellent practice facility with a large driving range, putting and chipping areas and located far enough away to be convenient, yet out of the way for golf instruction.
The rustic contemporary clubhouse houses the well appointed pro shop, and the Verrado Grille restaurant offering a menu unparalleled to traditional golf course dining. The restaurant combines impeccable Raven service, a lively atmosphere and incredible views to provide an unforgettable experience. Additionally, the open patio, unique indoor and outdoor bar, and spacious seating allow for spectacular viewing of the Sonoran Desert sunsets while dining or having a favorite libation. It’s perfect for after a round or an evening outing.
Hole #3, par 3, 222 yards from the tips: – This hole offers more than golf. The views from the elevated tee box are as beautiful as the course. From the tee box, you look out over what appears to be a floating green. This was definitely one of my favorite holes on the course so don’t forget to take in the views before you watch your ball descend to the green below you.
Hole #10, par 5, 515 yards from the tips. – Awesomely outstanding hole to start the back nine off. Great par 5 with chance to make birdie if you avoid the bunkering and don’t overshoot your tee shot towards the right.
Hole #18, par 4, 494 yards from the tips. –It’s hard not to write about this gorgeous finishing hole with water that comes into play with your 2nd shot. Hit straightaway with bunkers on left and right, but you should be able to clear them. Water comes into play with your 2nd shot with two bunkers on the left and one on the right front of a dogleg right, tiered, peninsula green. It’s just an exceptional finishing hole for a great round of golf.
Verrado Golf Club is an exquisite site for an Arizona wedding or banquet, with beautiful Arizona desert vistas and water features surrounding the manicured grounds. Visit www.VerradoWeddings.com to learn more.
This course is definitely one to add to your ‘Must Play’ list. Call or visit their website for tee times or Memberships such as Annual Play Pass; Single or Couple Passes; Annual Mid-week Pass; Snowbird Pass; Junior Pass; even a Punch Card Pass, plus many other exceptional offerings. There seems to be an option for every golfer.
By By Alice & Danny Scott
While we highly anticipate the opening of Verrado Golf Club’s new Victory Course this month, a victorious day of play opportunity continues on the familiar, Founder’s Course, Verrado Golf Club. If you haven’t been in a while, you will be amazed passing through the mature tree lined Victory village to get to the clubhouse.
Be sure to salute the F35s streaming across the sky during the round. This is where training takes place for the Luke Air Force base. On the ground bunnies and quail take cover from errant balls and hungry, scouting coyotes. If your ball lands in the desert brush, it might actually feel like a war zone. The encircling White Tank mountains however have such an embracing effect that you might wonder, “Should I be hiking or golfing?” In fact, there is a parking area adjacent to the 15th green where many hikers have their doggies in tow. Save this activity for later as the golf is way too fun at Verrado. As examples with our given names, not the architects’:
Hole #2, par 4, 397 yards – Driven to Oblivion – How many decisions must be made at this question mark of a hole where the shape of the layout resembles a huge question mark? Lay up to the deep canyon edge with the right driving distance from your chosen tee box (and there are many great choices) or take a chance on a deep drive to the corner on the right side where you must clear the sand in the huge bunker that guards the entrance to that side. The fairway narrows as it makes the turn to the green. If you lay up, you must carry the chasm to the green. A group of boulders just off to the right of the green may help as a backstop or bounce the ball back to oblivion.
Hole #8, par4, 477 yards – Rock of Ages – The second longest par 4 on the course is also the #1 handicap hole. The slight dogleg left is dominated by a huge rock outcropping. The shape of the fairway suggests you might cut off some distance by going over the rock. Perception is everything. There is more room on the right side than your vision senses. Distance is very important. A safe drive allows you to reach the green with minimal danger. As the old hymn might have said, “Rock of Ages, except for me, let me hide my bad shot from Thee”. Forgive us Lord for the rephrasing.
Hole #10, par 5, 515 yards – Not So Straight but Narrow – Over the bridge you drive to the tenth tee box and it is a fun, unusual stone bridge with a semblance of the old Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews, but much larger and without the travel and expense. The fairway is pinched between large sand traps on the left and a desert wash on the right. The longer the drive, the straighter it must be. The green is slightly elevated on the front with bunkers guarding the entrance. Any chance of reaching in two requires a total carry of your second shot. Lay up in front or to the right side with ample room for a safe approach in regulation.
Hole #18, par 4, 494 yards- The Long Road Home – The red umbrellas on the patio of the clubhouse with a lake view call you home but not so fast. Distance alone demands two great shots. A plateau of the first fairway portion is wide and flat. A long drive may give you a closer approach, but also a downhill lie. Don’t be distracted by the gallery of folks enjoying their libations. Avoid that lovely long lake, parallel to the right and back of the green. This is a great fishing hole or finishing hole. The massive green may seem like a sanctuary. Finish strong and celebrate.
There is always something going on at the Verrado Golf Club – a putting seminar, a dinner dance or the Comedy Show on February 11 with Italian buffet. If you’ve been in the valley long, you probably have fond memories of tournament participation or friendly play at Verrado. If not, what are you waiting for? Head west and make some now.