McDowell Mountain Golf Club

Scottsdale, Arizona

The NEW McDowell Mountain Golf Club is Now Open! McDowell Mountain Golf Club (formerly the Sanctuary Golf Course) re-opened with a bang when PGA Tour great and former Arizona State Sun Devil, Phil Mickelson struck the first tee shot and took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony with Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane in October. Mickelson, Honorable Mayor Lane, Steve “Coach” Loy and course architect Randy Heckenkemper were on hand to unveil the newly enhanced McDowell Mountain Golf Club. Located in the heart of Scottsdale on natural desert landscape owned jointly by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Scottsdale, McDowell Mountain Golf Club is certainly creating a buzz in the Scottsdale golf scene. In spring of 2011, Phil Mickelson and "Coach" Steve Loy acquired the operating rights to McDowell Mountain Golf Club, and this summer with Scottsdale-based OB Sports, took on a significant golf course enhancement and renovation that was designed to make the course more challenging for the better players, while at the same time making the course more forgiving, enjoyable and fun for beginning golfers, families and players of all abilities. Course revisions were overseen by golf course architect Randy Heckenkemper and included widening of the playing corridors, the reshaping of a number of fairways, several new teeing areas, additional strategic waste bunkers, and more! More than 20,000 cubic yards of reshaping was done throughout the course to improve playability, widen the playing corridors, and to create a more enjoyable overall experience. Other specific enhancements included over 460 yards were added to the “Back Tees,” the nines were flipped to create a more dramatic finish to the round, a number of bunkers were filled-in to create a more playable experience for the average golfer and new signage and decorative features were added throughout the property including new tee markers, new hole monuments, several bronze animal sculptures, and the addition of an elegant new McDowell Mountain Rolex Clock! "We really wanted to make the golf course that was family friendly and fun to play,” stated Phil Mickelson. “By strategically adding grass in and cleaning up the desert areas, making the corridors much bigger, we feel like we made it a much more enjoyable experience. We now feel like this is a fun experience for everyone,” added Mickelson. Built on the western slope of Scottsdale's McDowell Mountains and adjacent to the nationally recognized Westworld equestrian center this premier Scottsdale golf course, now stretches to a 7,072-yards, and delivers a stunning Scottsdale golf experiences that will keep you coming back for more. Make sure your next Scottsdale golf vacation includes the NEW McDowell Mountain Golf Club! The newly enhanced course starts off with a meandering front nine the features testing par threes, strategic four pars and a fun filled risk/reward par five ninth hole that the serves up a dramatic dogleg left, split fairway, up-hill par 5 is usually rewarded with a birdie opportunity. The back nine at McDowell Mountain starts off with a renovated straight forward par four and just builds up from there. The finishing strech includes a "almost driveable" par four 16th, a gut check par three over water on the long 17th and a beast of a finishing hole in the up hill par four 18th that features a new dramatic waste bunker that puts a premium on driving accuracy. McDowell Mountain will also be an even better place to learn the game or improve your swing. World-class instruction will be offered with the Rick Smith Golf Academy and the practice facility was expanded significantly with new practice putting and chipping greens, a larger teeing ground and distinctive target features in the landing area. After golf, you can take in the stunning views from the restaurant at McDowell Mountain Golf Club and enjoy a post round serving of appetizers and libations. Open daily for breakfast, lunch McDowell Mountain offers a unique dining venue that is set in the heart of the native Sonoran Desert. Area residents and visitors alike often speak to the highlight of dining al fresco on the spacious patio while watching in amazement as the sun makes its majestic descent beyond Camelback Mountain. It is no wonder why McDowell Mountain Golf Club is also a truly amazing venue for weddings, parties and special events. McDowell Mountain's restaurant, event lawn and outdoor pavilion offers you a picture perfect setting for a Scottsdale wedding, receptions, birthday celebration or entertaining business events. The entire experience at the newly renovated McDowell Mountain Golf Club is truly a scenic, stunning and refreshing Scottsdale golf experience. When you stand on the 18th tee box or on the green, the vistas are spectacular in all directions because you will be 600 feet above the valley floor. You will see Pinnacle Peak and the McDowell Mountain Preserve to the north and Camelback, Squaw Peak, and Mummy Mountains to the south, surrounded by the Valley of the Sun. If you get the opportunity to watch the sunset from the 18th hole or on the clubhouse patio, you will be in for a real treat. Make sure your next Scottsdale golf vacation includes the NEW McDowell Mountain Golf Club!