Eagle Mountain: Scott Miller design course ads to mystique of Phoenix area golf
One of the newest courses making Phoenix the Mecca of great golf is The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain.
Though all of the Phoenix area is held in high regard when it comes to top-notch golf, it is the Northeast Valley that is the most esteemed. Located in the southeastern foothills of the McDowell Mountains adjacent to Fountain Hills, this Scott Miller design has been a major contributor to that mystique since 1996.
Eagle Mountain can be enjoyed from four sets of tees, allowing players a range in yardage from just over 5,000 yards up to nearly 6,800 yards, and plays to a par-71. The layout takes advantage of a variety of landscapes, including rolling hills, ridges, valleys, and washes; this is not a flatlands course by any means. While challenging, the average golfer won't be overwhelmed by this desert track. Long, extended views into untouched desert landscapes and other parts of Phoenix will be afforded, especially on the 10th and 18th tees. Many courses may feature a memorable hole, or two, but Eagle Mountain boasts one postcard view after another.
Ample room to miss on both sides of the fairway on a handful of holes provides an alternative to the demanding target style courses of the Sonoran Desert. Also pleasantly absent are the notorious forced carries typical of desert golf except for a few natural dry streams and washes. Fairways play primarily through ravines that isolate the golf from homesites creating individualities among the many holes. The fairways are contoured and provide numerous elevation changes while not creating uneven lies. The valley-like contouring on many holes is particularly inviting characteristic: making most off-line shots stay in play. With more forgiving landing areas, players don't need to feel intimated off the tee. Though the fairways seem to play tight from the tees, Miller allows more room than it first appears.
The large greens are framed in amphitheater settings or completely open to expansive vistas. The amphitheater setting is impressive, but makes walking back to the cart a challenge. These greens had to be some of the most difficult I've ever putted, no doubt. The surfaces are deceptive and hide severe breaks. These bentgrass greens are somewhat slick, making downhill putts scary. Shotmaking is a premium; landing the ball on the putting surface isn't an automatic two-putt. Chipping is a tough task too. Since there are so many mountains, it is unreliable to play breaks away from them. The holes play in every direction, as do the breaks in the putts. One should try to decipher the read while approaching the green. Overall, I felt these greens were a bit difficult for the average golfer.
Also adding to comfort level of Eagle Mountain is the minimum numbers of bunkers due to the contouring of the holes. Those bunkers, though, are strategically well placed and will catch errant shots. Yet there is clear-cut entry into every green.
Because of the superb use of the natural landscape, Miller included only two water hazards: along the 10th and 18th holes. There are many other natural obstacles incorporated into the design to alleviate the need for the drink.
More open and expansive than the back nine, the front nine features three par-3s, plays down through shallow ravines, and returns to the clubhouse. The back nine plays around a large knoll in the center of the property and through deeper canyon terrain before turning back. Considering the topography, a good number of holes actually play downhill, while uphill elevation shifts are very subtle.
Depending on the time of year, course conditions will vary. A few spots around the greens were surprisingly burnt out. For the most part, though, Eagle Mountain is manicured to the highest level possible. Come the end of the year the greens will probably play softer than summer and fall, as they are pretty hard right now.
I, personally, loved playing the course just to be able to see it. Challenging golf is why we play. But many of these desert courses are experiences, not just rounds of golf. For the local, he/she may not be able to regularly play a place like this, but it's something worth the money to see it one time, even if it's in the summer. Eagle Mountain's rates are what one would expect for golf the Northeast Valley. Weekend rates in season are around $140 (with cart, of course) and drop to less than half that in the summer. Considering it is ranked the number two public course in Arizona, it's probably worth at least one visit for the average income Phoenician. For the vacationer with fat pockets, I suggest making it a regular stop if you came to see the desert and want more than a round of golf. Also, the laser yardage finders are a nice touch that help speed up play and remove the need for ugly 150-yard markers.
Eagle Mountain is a soft spikes only facility. They also feature a practice facility (range and green) and a full-service clubhouse and grille. For accommodations near the course, The Southwest Inn is located on the property and there is a Courtyard by Marriott about 3 miles west on Shea Boulevard. To make a tee time at The Golf Course at Eagle Mountain, call 602-816-1234.
December 28, 1998