FORT MCDOWELL, Ariz. -- Only a handful of 36-hole clubs in the country operate two "Top 100" public courses. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, just outside of Scottsdale, stands with the best of them all.
We-Ko-Pa's newer Saguaro Course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw ranks the highest, but plenty of golfers love the Cholla Course by Scott Miller almost as much.
Cholla's biggest strengths are its two short par 4s and general playability in the Sonoran desert. There's always a bailout if you don't feel comfortable taking the heroic line. The 18th hole showcases Miller's use of risk-reward. Big hitters can bomb one over the fairway bunker on the left side to a narrow fairway, setting up a short iron into the green. Mid-handicaps should drive it over a tree to the edge of a pond for a manageable shot to the green. Short hitters must safely layup the right side of the fairway, leaving a harrowing long approach over the pond.
The Cholla Course is scheduled to close later this year for an off-season renovation to upgrade its irrigation infrastructure and put new Bermuda grass on the greens.
PGA General Manager Matt Barr said the tricky, par-5 eighth hole will see some changes near the green, although nothing is set yet. There's no sense in tinkering too much with one of the best golf courses in Arizona.
Right across the street is the newly rebranded We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, also managed by the Yavapai Indians of Fort McDowell. The 246-room AAA Four-Diamond hotel is perfect for a stay and play.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 8
The par-5 eighth hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club will be tweaked during a renovation this summer.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 2
The par-5 second hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club swings right off the tee before bending back left.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 3
Aim left to get a bounce to the right on the par-3 third hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell, Ariz.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 4
The fourth fairway on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club falls downhill after a hill crests in the landing zone.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 5
Three bunkers flank the backside of the par-3 fifth hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell, Ariz.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 6
The sixth fairway on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club angles away from players, giving the appearance the flag is just floating in the desert.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 7
The seventh fairway on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is split, forcing players to choose a side.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 9
Bunkers ring the ninth green on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell, Arizona.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 11
The 220-yard 11th hole is the longest par 3 on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 12
The par-4 12th hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club slides right to a well protected green.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 13
A pair of bunkers up the right side frame the 13th green on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell, Ariz.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 14
The par-3 14th hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club plays downhill.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 15
Driver probably isn't the play on the narrow, 327-yard 15th hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club.
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course - no. 18
The finishing hole on the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club features a great risk-reward tee shot where players can take on the left bunker, clear the tree or bail out right.
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