United States Destinations

Arizona Golf

By Jake Delaney

Native American culture is thriving in Arizona, which has 21 tribes and the most reservation land in the US.

As these nations become more savvy in tourism marketing and development, they have begun opening golf courses which are among the best new courses in the state.

Within the last 10 years, four new golf clubs with six total courses have opened on Native American reservations. Many are first-rate courses that have been designed by distinguished golfers and golf architects, offering luxury amenities and unaltered views.

However, all of the courses still reflect the rich history, culture and natural beauty of the
native tribes and their lands.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is located on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Fountain Hills, on the east edge of Scottsdale.

We-Ko-Pa (the Yavapai pronunciation for "Four Peaks Mountain") was designed by golf course architect Scott Miller to cater to players of all calibers. In December 2001 it was named one of the top 10 new courses by Sports Illustrated magazine.

A distinguishing factor of the golf course is the ample amount of natural mesquite, palo verde, saguaros and other desert vegetation in the arroyos and canyons of We-Ko-Pa, contributing to an unparalleled desert golf experience.

In addition, there are dramatic views of the surrounding mountain ranges including the Four Peaks, McDowell Mountains, Red Mountains and the Superstitions.

Talking Stick Golf Club
Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Nation, the Talking Stick Golf Club features two courses, North and South, that combine tranquil desert surroundings with a challenging day of play.

These two courses designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw offer many options according to the golfer’s level of playing skill. The North course has angular holes and low-profile greens while the South course has tree-lined fairways and raised greens.

Whirlwind Golf Club
The Whirlwind Golf Club on the Gila River Indian Community provides both championship golf and a rich sense of cultural heritage.

The club’s The Devil’s Claw course reflects the plant palette indigenous to the Gila River area: mesquite, saguaro, palo verde and cottonwood, along with native grasses.
Devil’s Claw challenges all levels of players while maintaining a sense of fairness and playability.

Apache Stronghold
Guarded by the Chiricahuas, Aravaipas, Superstition and White Mountains, the San Carlos
Apache Nation serves as a haven for the San Carlos people. Now, the Apache Stronghold
Golf Club has been opened in this virtually untouched area.

The club is owned and operated by the San Carlos Apache Tribe as an adjunct to their

Apache Gold Casino Resort.
The course design by golf architect Tom Doak has preserved the natural beauties of its desert wilderness location, including 14 archaeological sites.

Many of the fairways on the front nine are isolated in their own valleys, surrounded by 20 to 50 foothills covered in sage and mesquite trees. Distant mountains provide a backdrop for several greens.

More info
For more information on golf in Arizona, call the Arizona Office of Tourism at 866-298-3795 or visit www.ArizonaGuide.com

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: 480-836-9000 or www.wekopa.com
Talking Stick Golf Club: 480-860-2221 or www.talkingstickgolfclub.com
Whirlwind Golf Club: 480-940-1500 or www.whirlwindgolf.com
Apache Stronghold: call 928-475-4653 or www.apachegoldcasinoresort.com