Prospector Course
General Manager: Gene Blum
Director of Golf: Pat Tyson
Director of Agronomy: Scott Krout
Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Par 72 – 7,225 yards from the tips
Rating /Slope:
Men’s – 73.4/135; 71.4/130; 69.4/124
Ladies’ – 76.6/139; 73.1/130; 70.2/121
Tee Time Reservations: 480.983.1411
8000 E. Club Village Drive
Superstition Mountain, Arizona 85118
www.superstitionmountain.com
By by Blake Isakson
The Prospector course is one of two truly beautiful golf courses at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club. Located at the base of the scenic Superstition Mountains and designed by Jack and Gary Nicklaus, this golf course is deserving of all the awards it has received since opening in 1998, including being ranked as one of America’s 100 Premier Properties by Links Magazine and being distinguished with top 100 accolades from both Golfweek and Golfworld. Superstition Mountain has hosted the LPGA and Champions Tour many times for events like the LPGA Safeway International, The Countrywide Tradition, and the Senior Slam. Thanks to these events, Superstition Mountain has been experienced by some of the greatest players in the world including Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange, Tom Kite, Hale Irwin, Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa.
The list of players and tournaments is only part of what makes Superstition Mountain so unique. It isn’t just a good desert layout; it offers some of the best playing conditions you will find anywhere. But don’t just take this course reviewers word for it. According to Tom Weiskopf, “Of all of the majors around the world that I have played in, these are the finest playing surfaces I have played on.” Another player who was impressed with the playing conditions was Ben Crenshaw saying, “These greens are as good, if not better than any I have ever played.”
The Prospector course has an interesting mix of holes as well as some of the most amazing views. Here are a few holes that make this course so deserving of the recognition it has received.
Hole #6 has two treacherous bunkers that must be avoided off the tee as well as out of bounds on both sides of the fairway. After you safely navigate your ball in play, well placed bunkers guard the green on this 406-yard hole. However, the true brilliance of this hole is the seemingly endless forest of saguaros that can be seen from tee to green.
Hole #9: This 442-yard hole is as difficult a driving hole as you will find on the Prospector course. With desert and out of bounds guarding both sides of the dogleg right hole, accuracy is paramount. The beautiful clubhouse frames the green with Nicklaus’s signature deep bunkering surrounding the right side. The omni present Superstition Mountains to the left make this a hole you will surely remember.
Hole #13 is a long par 5 measuring 589 yards from the back tees with deceptive bunkering off the tee. It may look like left is a short cut, but there is very little room down the left side and the hole actually doglegs right. The smart play is at the far bunker and then make sure that you lay up far enough left to leave yourself a view of the green for your approach shot. This tiered green really runs from left to right, so take that into account when you play into the green.
Hole #14 is 331 yards and is the quintessential Nicklaus drivable par 4, giving players a chance to drive the green. But beware, the landing area is narrow with desert lurking on both sides and big grass bunkers waiting to catch any tee shot that isn’t struck just right. However, if you are taking the more conservative approach be sure to hit enough club to carry the transition that runs between the tee and fairway. This is a fun risk/reward hole where birdie and bogey are separated by a thin margin.
Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club is a gem in the desert, and until recently was a private club that didn’t allow outside play. However, they are now offering a ‘Guest of the Club’ promotion. This promotion allows you to book tee times and play on two of the best-conditioned courses in the world. One course is opened up each day to outside play, while one is reserved for the members. Starting times are available and the current rate for ‘guest of the club’ is $100 everyday.
For those interested in joining the Club, Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club has several different membership types available. For more information, contact Heather Satchell at 480.983.3200, Extension 6658.