Grayhawk Golf Club
January 9, 2008
Since opening in 1994, Grayhawk Golf Club has become one of Arizona’s most popular daily-fee golf clubs, one reason is that there are two really superb 18-hole courses there – Talon and Raptor – winding through some really spectacular Sonoran Desert terrain. As you can see by the photo, great to look at pictures of but when you hit a wayward shot into it…well, that's why they feature deep fried rattlesnake for lunch four times a week – JUST KIDDING! I have been hacking around in those desert washes for years and have NEVER seen a snake.
Another reason is the prestigious Grayhawk Community that grew up around them and the facility's proximity to growing N. Scottsdale. Back in 1994 it may have seemed "out there" in the desert, but not any more. Grayhawk maintains it's own lifestyle and prestigious address with schools, medical facilities, shopping, assisted living, beautiful homes and condos, etc. They have a great pro shop that has won numerous awards "100 Best golf Shops" with a more interesting mix of golf apparel than you will see in other daily -fee operations. Their restaurant, The Quill Creek Cafe has always impressed me with their food (look for a restaurant review of them coming soon) and Phil's Grill is a great spot to have a cold one after your round and "Pro Watch," I have seen Phil Mickelson, Peter Kostis and Gary McCord in there more times than I can count.
But I digress, this is supposed to be a review of the courses. Both have earned numerous awards over the years and have hosted some great tournaments, including the latest one you probably saw on TV, The Fry's Electronics Open won by Canadian Mike Weir. The Raptor Course, being the Fazio design and the more popular of the two to play (in my opinion), and the one that always seems to get the most attention is my favorite of the two. Other events played there over the years: The Target World Challenge, Andersen Consulting World Match Play (now Accenture Match Play) The Tommy Bahama's Tournament. It was my good fortune to be hired to work the matches for ABC Sports Golf as a spotter during the two years the Andersen Match Play was held at Grayhawk. And I had two great years in the late 90's as Tournament Co-ordinator for the National Team Championship, an amateur scratch event that shared play at Grayhawk and Troon North Golf Club just up the road.
Talon was the first course at Grayhawk to open it's doors to daily-fee players in 1994 followed by Raptor in 1995. They were a much- welcomed addition to the growing Scottsdale golf scene and were embraced by golfers everywhere from the moment they heard about them. I was working at Resort Suites of Scottsdale at the time, a condo style hotel in N. Scottsdale that was the first hotel to really recognize the idea that golf sells room nights and Grayhawk was always at the top of our list of recommended courses to play. If you are an awards watcher, (which I am not) – here are a few notable accolades garnered by Talon and Raptor over the years: Golf Magazine – “Top 100 You Can Play in the U.S.” Golf Magazine – “Top 10 New You Can Play” Golf Digest – “Top 10 in the State You Can Play” As with any golf facility with two 18 hole golf courses I am always asked which one is better. A lot of 36 hole facilities will have one championship course where they may charge a higher fee and a shorter or less spectacular one with a lower rate. Grayhawk is unique in that their two courses were designed by two different design teams each with their own approach to golf course design. Which one is better at Grayhawk you ask? In my humble opinion hands down it's the Raptor course. Having said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Talon. As a matter of fact the desert terrain on the back nine of Talon really tests your game with it's use of deep box canyons with many holes skirting thick stands of Mesquite, Palo Verde and Ironwood trees. Saguaro cactus stand tall in the out-of-play-areas seeming to call to you with their out-stretched arms. But if I was a guy coming out here from Minneapolis in February and I could only play one course at Grayhawk, Raptor would be the one.
They both cost the same but here is why I like Raptor the best: First, it's a Fazio and I have always loved his courses. Even though the desert terrain surrounding both courses is similar I think Mr. Fazio had the better piece of desert to work with. His par 3's are spectacular and fun to play. The greens are always lightning fast but true, with a fair amount of undulation – not tiers! I think Talon's greens border on unfair because of the more dramatic undulations and tiers and I think the sadistic super there loves to watch us hacks four-putt. The Raptor course sets up better (for me) from the tee because there is more elevation. Both courses provide fine views of the nearby McDowell Mountains and you can even see the downtown Phoenix skyline from some of the tees. Definately, if you have the chance you should play them both and you can decide for yourself which one you like the best.
Designed by former U.S. Open and PGA Champion David Graham and golf course architect Gary Panks, Grayhawk’s Talon Course places a premium on positioning off the tee, but you need some distance too as the fairways seem smaller than they really are. Most of the greens are larger but as I mentioned before, they are multi-tiered and difficult to putt, especially if you are above the hole. You need to pay close attention to the pin placements of the day but if you are anything like me just getting on the green is an accomplishment in itself. If you don't care too much about your score these greens are a blast to putt from long distances, a sort of championship goofy golf.
Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor course, designed by Tom Fazio, Stretches 7,135 yards from the back tees and meanders over the gentle hills and across shaded natural washes that are typical of this picturesque corner of the Sonoran Desert. They call it risk reward, meaning that you better hit your approach on the green or the deep bunkers guarding them will definitely challenge par. (Talon offers a bit more opportunity to scramble with some room around the greens). As with the Talon course, Raptor surrounds you with towering Saguaros, Palo Verde, Ironwood and Mesquite trees that were preserved in creating the golf courses. Raptor's fairways look generous from the tees but strategically placed fairway bunkers can really penalize you if you aren't comfortable in the sand. Me, heck I don't particularly mind a 200 yard 3-iron from a hanging lie in a fairway bunker, yeah, right!
Mr. Fazio utilized water sparingly, but where it does come into play, he created intriguing hazards that add drama as well as aesthetic value to the golf course. Whichever course you decide to play, the service here is impeccable, from the outside staff to the Pro Shop. The practice areas are first rate, even providing you with the calming sounds of soft rock before you tee off. The desert vegetation is awesome, the Clubouse is spectacular, the food outstanding and the atmosphere is pure Southwest hip. If you haven't played Grayhawk you haven't experienced true desert golf. I highly recommend this facility.
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