Raven Golf Club at Verrado

Hole #17, Par 3, 154 yards with water on the right!

Raven Golf Club at Verrado

General Manager:  Ron Woods
Manager, Sales & Marketing: Doug Foss
Head Golf Professional: Bill Colgan
Course Architects: Tom Lehman and John Fought
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Par 72– 7258 yards from the tips
Rating /Slope:
Men’s –  73.8/132; 71.6/126; 68.9/119; 65.3/111;
Ladies’ –    74.0/131; 69.8/118; 68.3/113
Tee Time Reservations: 623.388.3008
4242 North Golf Drive
Buckeye, Arizona 85396
www.ravenatverrado.com

Review by Nancy Howard, Publisher/Editor Arizona Golfer Publication

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to play Raven Golf Club at Verrado, designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought, when it was a virgin course! What an exhilarating experience. My…how it has grown since then. Exactly as Lehman and Fought expected, I’m sure, maybe even better. If you haven’t played this course, what are you waiting for? If you’ve played it, get back out there, it’s magnificent!!

Set in the White Tank Mountains, the Raven Golf Club at Verrado 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

The course is in excellent condition with lush fairways, great sand, and 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.

Raven at Verrado 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. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll be attended when you arrive by Bert, one of the nicest and most attentive outdoor associates a group of golfer’s could wish to meet. Bert even made sure we had fresh mango towels, one of the trademarks of the Club, waiting for us when we made the turn…now that’s service. Speaking of service, Marge is one of the friendliest cart ladies around and makes sure you never want for anything while on the course.

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 out .

Hole #3, par 3, 222 yards from the tips: – Mike Stockley 

This hole offers more than golf. The views from the elevated tee box are as beautiful as the course. From the distant mountain ranges, the flight tower at Luke Air Force Base and the wonderful reflection of the Arizona Cardinals Stadium, you must stand back and do a bit of sight seeing before you tee off. Which is something easy to do at many spots on this west valley course. After that beautiful glimpse of the Valley, you look out over what appears to be a floating green. This is very forgiving as long as you don’t over club or find yourself in the only bunker on the entire hole. The green is oversized, rather flat and forgiving, but does slope back towards the narrow fairway that lies just short of the 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 #12, par 4, 442 yards from the tips.Jean-Michel Edery. Straightaway tee shot to a wide fairway with a bunker narrowing your landing area in an undulating fairway. 2nd shot takes in left dogleg to the green. Green is protected by a bunker on the right. Beware, this hole can add to your score easily.

Hole #18, par 4, 494 yards from the tips. – Steve Padgett. 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 a great finishing hole for a great round of golf.

Raven Golf Club at Verrado 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 is definitely one to add to your ‘Must Play’ list. Call or visit their website for February and March specials, and family or single memberships.

Take I-10 West from Phoenix, exit at "Verrado Way" (Exit #120) and go north. Turn left on Main Street and the Clubhouse is straight ahead. If you live in Goodyear or Litchfield Park, you can take Indian School Road straight west to Verrado.

 


By by Nancy Howard

Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to play Raven Golf Club at Verrado, 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 Raven Golf Club at Verrado 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.

Raven at 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.

Raven at Verrado 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.

Raven Golf Club at Verrado 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.

Take I-10 West from Phoenix, exit at “Verrado Way” (Exit #120) and go north. Turn left on Main Street and the Clubhouse is straight ahead. If you live in Goodyear or Litchfield Park, you can take Indian School Road straight west to Verrado.