A nice golf vacation in the desert can actually involve water holes. The Wigwam It’s a sunny day in late November and I’m driving comfortably from Southern California to The Wigwam Resort in Phoenix. For me it takes about 5.5 hours. There are sure to be faster ways to get there. But it doesn’t matter. For me, driving a car beats flying during the pandemic. Even if it takes a little longer, I don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of the airports. Plus, this way I have a car with me while I’m in Arizona, and most importantly, I can go home anytime instead of sticking to a flight schedule. The iconic resort, which opened in 1929, is on the far west side of Phoenix in Litchfield. So the drive here takes about half an hour less for Californians than driving through town, to say Scottsdale. Plus, The Wigwam has a refreshingly cool old school vibe with modern conveniences, great food and great, friendly service. I was told my grandparents stayed here in the late 1950s or early 1960s. I think you would be happy to know that the resort still hasn’t changed much since it was “the place” in town. Oh sure, everything has been updated and improved – it’s clearly an ultra-beautiful destination these days. But the architecture and layout have remained and have stood the test of time. And that’s a great thing. There are plenty of low-key, one- and two-story buildings around the property instead of flashy high-rise buildings. And perhaps best of all, once you are here there is no need to leave the property. There are restaurants, bars, pools, a spa, tennis courts, three golf courses – and much more. The food is just amazing and the people who work here are incredibly nice and helpful. Several times I got lost trying to traverse the property and had no problem finding help getting back on the road. But I am here to play golf. And the resort has three courses. All of them are pretty flat, but each has their own personality. The 7,430 meter long Gold Course is pretty much the gold standard here. There are some very challenging and long holes with an overall graceful flow to the layout. I like the way you mix up some good par 5s with hard and long par 3s. There is even water at several holes … in the desert! Tom Lehman redesigned this course six years ago, removing 30 bunkers and redesigning others. But the hard greens by the original architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. remain throughout. The 6,000 Yards Blue Course – also a Jones design – is a little less challenging just because it’s shorter and even has an almost reachable par-4 along the second nine. But definitely don’t expect it to be a breeze. It also has water holes and the water comes into play so you have to be careful. I consider it to be the epitome of a resort course because players with lower skill levels can enjoy it as much as those with low handicaps. This course has many small crowned greens – you have to hit the mark with approaches. And like the gold, it faces you with steep bunkers that come into play often. A five-minute drive from these two courses is the 6,852 yards Red Course. The staff tell me this has been very popular with locals and club members since it opened in 1974. Originally called the West Course, it was renamed in the late 1980s to accommodate both the club’s longtime head professional, VO “Red” Allen, and the course’s architect, Robert “Red” Lawrence. It’s a traditional layout, lined with pine and eucalyptus trees. The final four-hole course offers challenges and variety, right up to the dogleg 591 yard 18, which requires three well-positioned strokes. Hotel entrance. The Wigwam Of the four on-site restaurants, my favorite was Litchfield’s, an indoor and outdoor open kitchen with a lively atmosphere and great food. I recommend the Cedar River Prime Filet, one of the best steaks I’ve ever tasted. Amenities include three pools with adult and family areas, nine lighted tennis courts, a 26,000 square foot spa, fitness center, and 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor conference and event space. There are 331 casita-style rooms, including 70 luxurious suites and two presidential suites – all nestled between towering palm trees, citrus trees, flower gardens, and rose bushes. I stayed in a unit overlooking the first tee of the Blue Course – a nice view. But the entire property is visually stunning. A true desert oasis, especially for golfers who want to travel with their family – regardless of whether family members like to play golf or not. It’s also great for golf buddy trips. If you’re looking for a winter vacation – or a spring vacation where you can literally play baseball games off the property in the spring – this is a great option.
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