TPC Scottsdale - Champions Course

TPC Scottsdale is home to two outstanding 18 hole courses (the Stadium and Champions Course) and the PGA Tour's FBR Open. Both courses have been carved out of the Sonoran Desert and are surrounded by the majestic McDowell Mountains. Of the two 18s, the Stadium course better known and seems to be more forgiving and in much better condition. The Champions course is fun, has a true desert feel to it, and is more challenging and unique. We actually liked the Champions course more than it's better known sister. The 7115 yard par 71 Champions course meanders over natural ravines and picturesque foothills with five par-3’s and a diverse variety of par-4’s and par-5’s to thrill golfers of all skill levels.

The Champions course is carved out of the Sonoran Desert and leverages the terrain to make it fun and interesting – no homes to contend with, lots of dessert carries, wildlife, colorful desert fauna, and plenty of natural areas waiting for your ball. Control, course management and club selection are key to scoring well on this beauty. In addition to the desert, you'll find dog legs, water, plenty of risk reward opportunities, and deep and steep bunkers with soft sand.

The fairways were in very good condition with the rough was cut very playable. The greens were also in excellent shape and good sized with plenty of slope and some undulation. They were fast and true when we played.

Number 5 is an example of what you're up against when you play TPC Champions – it's the number 2 handicap at 477 yards (par 4) with a sharp dog leg left. The landing zones are narrow and surrounded by desert all the way to the green. Off the box you need to make a tough decision – take the safer but longer right side or try to land left on the smaller part of the fairway that is split by the desert – either way you go, miss right or left or short and you're in with the rabbits, cacti, and sand and hitting long is not much better. The approach to the green will also be tough with bunkers protecting the front side and desert brush and sand the rest of it. Very fun hole I had to play twice! And #18 is a fantastic and very pretty finishing hole with water down the left side – accuracy off the tee is critical here and the approach shot can be challenging. An outstanding 18 holes that we are anxious to play again – and a real bargain.

Click here to read our review of TPC Champions Course. We spent 6 days in Scottdale and played 150 holes, went hot air ballooning, kayaking, off-road jeeping, and lots more fun things – here is a link to Golfing In Scottsdale article.