Longbow Golf Club

Longbow Golf Club

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 Nancy G. Howard

There’s a goldmine in Mesa, at least from this golfer’s perspective, and it’s not the Lost Dutchman…it’s Longbow Golf Club! You’ll reach the ‘pot of gold’ if you score on this challenging track. 

And, now is the time to reach for that ‘pot of gold’ with their new Longbow 2016 Flight Card being offered now. Visit Longbow to learn about special savings and benefits you can receive when you buy a frequent players card with a unique card member program that helps you save the most at Longbow. Their Card offers preferred rates of up to 50% off regular resort rates, discounts on merchandise, preferred travel rates at other participating OB Sports-managed courses across the country and opportunities to earn free rounds of golf, plus much more. 

Surrounded by Usery, Red Mountain and Superstition Mountain in Mesa, Arizona plus views of Four Peaks, Longbow has truly been a goldmine to the golfing community in the Valley of the Sun. Per Alice and Danny Scott, International Golf Writers, “This Classic challenges…and subtle complexities are evident throughout the desert style layout as it weaves through Saguaros, cacti, Yucca and Ocotillos”.  

Designed by renowned architect Ken Kavanaugh and named after the Apache Longbow helicopter, the course was originally developed by McDonnell Douglas for corporate use. Later it sold to Daedalus Development, and has been managed by OB Sports Golf Management through the years. Their team gives you an exceptional golf outing experience from arrival to departure with friendly and prompt attention to your every need, which makes you feel this is your home course.

Throughout your round you’ll have views of the mountain ranges with plenty of wildlife foraging in the rough or hopping across the fairways. The Jackrabbits seemed to be out in full force during our round of golf, which made for good entertainment while buddies were out hunting their tee shots in the rough. Another form of entertainment is the amazing flight of vintage aircraft flying overhead to and from Falcon Field, it’s a history lesson in real time. 

Longbow is the home of the AJGA’s Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic, which is open to the public each year to come out and enjoy watching awesome top junior golfers. Past champions include Paula Creamer, Hunter Mahan, In-Bee Park, Kimberly Kim and Phillip Francis, just to name a few.

Their clubhouse is outstanding in its design with an easy flow from entrance to the well-appointed pro shop or cozy restaurant and beckons you through glass doors toward their exceptional patio with the ‘best and most enormous fireplace in the Valley’. This is the perfect venue for sitting around after your round, in the cooler months with the fireplace blaring, and having a libation. The patio also houses one of the largest outdoor kitchens for hosting any and all events imaginable. 

Home to the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Longbow offers an outstanding practice facility with a putting area that sets you up to, hopefully, meet the challenge of their quick and undulating greens. 

Even in August, the course is in excellent condition and a pure pleasure to encounter for a round of golf. So, just imagine how much more fabulous it will be in the fall and peak season months. 

Hole #3 Par 3, 179 yards from the tips –  Has to be one of our favorite par 3s. Looks can be deceiving from the tee box so club up one on the distance to avoid the bunkers and hit the green. Once there, it’s one treacherous green to land that birdie. 

Hole #15 Par 5, 554 yards from the tips – This is one tough and challenging hole that can ruin a good score going into it. Semi-dogleg right needs to be kept in mind from the tee box. Hook drive is to be avoided at all cost or you’ll be searching through the rough way beyond the allotted time. Just avoid left all the way to the elevated green protected by bunkers on every side of it.

So, book that tee time and reach for that ‘pot of gold’ at Longbow Golf Club. It’s a sure find! 

 

Arizona Golfer highly recommends this course as a ‘Must Play’ in the Valley of the Sun.