The Coore and Crenshaw design team carved two beautiful courses out of the reservation on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in 1998. Formerly referred to as the north and south courses, they were recently renamed to honor the two Native American tribes - Pima, “Akimel O’odham” (River People) and the Maricopa “Xalychidom Piipaash” (People who live toward the water). The O’odham Course has been brightened up by reseeded greens and verdant fairways lined by desert trees and blooms. Soon it will have a new set of tee boxes, too. Bill Coore is returning this month to designate new forward tee positions. This will be a great help on certain holes to enable more golfers to reach the greens in regulation. Tee it forward and improve the pace of play, while we’re young as they say. 

There were plenty of young ground squirrels playing on the course this spring. They are so cute; they look more like pygmy prairie pups when they stand on their hind legs and beg for food. Resist the temptation to feed them, as chips are not on their healthy diet plan. They however are unfortunately on the reptilian diet plan, which is why you might see a few snakes as well. Just let nature take its course and play through.  

The McDowell and Camelback Mountains provide a serene backdrop for the gallery of desert animal life including wild horses. Book a morning tee time for the best chance of seeing them. The Sonoran surroundings are reflected by the name of each individual hole noted on the score card in both native language and English. 

Hole #3, Par 4, 450 yards – “Sand Hills” is the second longest par 4 on the course. The bunker in front of the tee box intimidates making the fairway appear very narrow. A livestock barbed wire fence guards the entire left side of the fairway. The right side has three major bunkers and a sand hill waste area to avoid. A right to left trajectory is a good strategy for this demanding tee shot to miss all the bunkers. 

Hole #4, Par 4, 443 yards – “Carry the Desert” Following the previous challenge, you must conquer the number one handicap on the O’odham Course. A massive waste area and bunkers cover the right side. Mounding creates a blind tee shot. The fairway runs diagonally toward the green and looks diminutive. It is actually generous if you target the right side. Make a par or birdie and you may want a talking stick to record it.

Hole #11, Par 3, 261 yards – “The Big Battle” requires the right weapon to reach this long par 3. The fairway allows for a bailout on the left side, with adequate space for mishits. The sheer length requires a driver, three wood or a brassie (the hole’s original name). The battle is in your mind. 

Hole #12, Par 4, 392 yards – “Red Mountain” is the backdrop but the foreground has a monstrous waste area confronting the player which narrows into a ditch that runs all the way to the green. The right side is wide and the obvious choice for most players not wanting to challenge the ditch. The left side is very narrow with little room for great shots. Out of bounds border the left side tee to green. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. A great drive to the left will leave you with a short iron into the green. What kind of gambler are you? Remember, the house usually wins. Here and along the next fairway is the best opportunity to spot the wild horses. 

Before or after the round, the Wildhorse Grille and Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch or late lunch inside or on the patio with a grand golf view of the O’odham Course number 9, “Quail Run”. The clubhouse is well equipped with merchandise, friendly staff and Native American décor. Talking Stick Golf Club’s large practice area is bustling with warm ups and instruction including Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson’s Vision 54 Golf Academy where pros like Christie Kerr, Kevin Streelman and the Jutanugam sisters hone their skills. So can you.