Website: http://www.longbowgolf.com
Phone: 480.807.5400
Address: 5601 East Longbow Parkway
Mesa, Arizona 85215
General Manager: Bob McNichols
Course Superintendent: Greg Gavelek
Course Designer/Architect: Ken Kavanaugh
Fisher Bryan Golf Academy Director of Instruction: Jeff Fisher
About This Course:
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Managed by OB Sports
Par 71 – 7,032 from the tips
Rating/Slope: 72.7/132; 69.9/125; 67/115; 73.4/130; 69.4/121
Course Review
by Alice and Danny Scott
Longbow, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas for corporate use, was named for the Apache Longbow helicopter. It was later sold to Daedalus Development and is now professionally managed by OB Sports, but the aeronautical theme still flies as do the small aircraft above, in and out of Falcon Field. The sky buzzes like an international hub of small planes, including the Red Baron, with an acoustical lull. Winged art, fabric sculptures imitate hang gliders throughout the course, posing as if they might transport you to the distant and striking Red Mountain. Feathered friends also fancy it their own aviary so golfers witness the bird book of species, taking flight in any round. Panoramic views of the Usery, McDowell and Superstition Mountains reflect the essence of desert golf, changing with every degree of the sun’s rotation and clouds’ flotation. Annually ranked as one of the top courses to play in Arizona, the award winning design of Ken Kavanaugh, embarks you on a journey into imagination of the natural environment. Classic challenges and subtle complexities are evident throughout the desert style layout as it weaves through Saguaros, cacti, Yucca and Ocotillos.
Hole #4, Par 4, 429 yards – The number one handicap requires accuracy, accuracy and more accuracy. A long lake on the left side of fairway to green is hidden from the tee box. Too long a drive may reach the bunker in the elbow of the fairway, too left is out of bounds. Consider the approach shot carefully, as the green quickly slopes off to the waterside on the left and behind. Too far to the left or too long is too bad for you.
Hole # 8, Par 4, 338 yards – Should I, could I, or better not? This short par 4, entices golfers with the prize of reaching the green from the tee for an eagle, but most should play it safe with a mid -iron to fairway wood and take chances instead with the approach shot for an elusive birdie. The green is heavily swathed by bunkers front and left. Surface subtleties protect the promise land with false sides that feed into the desert. If you go for it, realize that accuracy is at a premium with risk greater than reward. However, the thought of putting for an eagle on a par 4 may be too hard to resist. Put up or shut up, and good luck!!
Hole #16, Par 3, 224 yards – Here the designer seemingly envisioned a deceptive reception to the golfer’s decision on club selection. From the tee box, the green is hidden behind deep bunkers front and right. Short hitters aim left while long hitters find safety on the right side approach as that bunker’s top bank feeds into an invisible landing area. The green is large, but the width is greater than the depth, so distance is paramount.
Hole# 18, Par 5, 538 yards – On this dogleg right, depending upon what tee box you are playing, the fairway slopes to problems awaiting the slightest driving error. The right side is lined by mesquite trees and out of bounds all the way to the green. The left side bunkers at end of fairway beckon that errant shot. Don’t forget the desert and the divided wash that splits the fairway in two, challenging golfers of any level. Massive bunkers short right and left front, guard the huge green with mounds and slopes. What a great finishing hole!
Libations for celebrations or commiserations are in order. If you haven’t taken advantage of the efficient beverage cart service, or even if you have, there is no better place to gather than fireside on the patio of the 19th hole. Food options are fresh and yummy. Jay Larscheid, the charitable and award winning manager, leads a friendly staff in quality service and maintenance. The well-stocked clubhouse is set with the latest fashions and equipment.
Home to the AJGA Heather Farr Classic, this renowned golf club has provided memorable moments for some of the brightest stars on the PGA and LPGA circuit. Complete practice facilities along with expert instruction by PGA and LPGA staff members as well as home to the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy afford all the chance to improve and compete. A short drive from Phoenix, a day at Longbow will leave you longing for more.
By by Dolores Murphy from Boerne, Texas
I was surprised to find a Gem like this with easy access from the 202 Freeway. It’s a beautiful, challenging, desert-layout course. The views of Red Mountain are stunning. The staff was very friendly, the course is very well cared for, and the holes are interesting.
This is a great course for the better than average golfer to play and the course is very challenging, as the fairways are groomed and the greens are fast and layered. You can get into trouble easily if you do not stay on the course. It is very hard hitting out of the desert and there are some water holes.
With many tee options (like green islands in the desert) this course is a favorite in Mesa. Longbow is what you would imagine is true desert golf. Although the course is fairly flat it is very challenging and has interesting golf holes. Longbow is definitely a course to play.
There is a outstanding snack bar between 1 and 10 tees. The staff was really friendly and helpful, excellent clubhouse with The Longbow Grille in the facility serving inside and on the lovely patio with a huge fireplace. The carts have GPS which is always a plus. Range balls are included in your green fee.
The layout of the track was challenging but not so difficult that you wanted to break your clubs every other hole. Lots of desert off the fairways, however not the kind that you can’t find your ball when you slice or hook it into the areas.
Overall I really liked Longbow, the course is kept in excellent condition, the clubhouse is one of the nicest around and the course will challenge almost any golfer. They have a large driving range and putting and chipping area to warm up on. I would recommend that you play Longbow if you are in the area.
Hole #1, par 5, 588 yards from the tips: It is a long par 5 with a dogleg left. There are fairway bunkers all along left side of fairway and the green is two-tiered.
Hole #4, par 4, 429 yards from the tips: Very pretty hole that is a dogleg left with water along the left side. You can take your chances and cut the corner over the water with your second shot into a large green.
Hole #18, par 5, 492 yards from the tips: There are many fairway bunkers on this hole. Your second shot is over ravine to a large green.
Longbow Golf Club and Business Park is a 330-acre, mixed-use commercial development that incorporates office, light industrial, retail and hotel uses surrounded by desert vegetation and a main street transportation design. Daedalus Real Estate Advisors, LLC is a Phoenix-based commercial real estate services company that provides investment, development and communications consulting to corporate real estate clients in Arizona and the Southwest.
Longbow Golf Club is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success
Located in North Mesa, Longbow Golf Club is just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Old Town Scottsdale. The award-winning Longbow Golf Club was honored as one of the “Top 100 Resort Courses in the Country” and ranked as “One of The Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play In Arizona”, by Golfweek Magazine.
Be sure to ask about the 2015 Flight Card now on sale.
Whether you are local or visiting from another state or country, Longbow Golf Club is a challenging experience to add to your list of golf clubs for ‘The Game of Golf’ in the Valley of the Sun.