We-Ko-Pa Golf Club

Want to feel like you're surrounded by an oasis while stranded out in the middle of the desert? Take a gander at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Fort McDowell, Arizona. About 25 minutes northeast of Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa offers two championship level golf courses: the Cholla course and the Saguaro course. While both courses boast generous fairways and greens, Cholla is more well-known for its target golf. The Saguaro course has a links-style approach that favors greens spilling into neighboring tees, creating a superior walking experience.

Cholla Course

Designed by architect Scott Miller, the Cholla Course is a true masterpiece of golf course design. One of the things that sets the Cholla Course apart is its use of the natural desert landscape. The course winds through rugged terrain, with cacti, boulders, and other desert vegetation providing both hazards and visual interest. The course also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it a true feast for the senses. The architect chose to route the majority of golf holes alongside these native waterways and displayed an amazing imagination in moving some 500,000 + cubic yards of material to create this amazing course. Legit sculpted out of the Sonoran Desert itself.

Saguaro Course

The renowned design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw created the Saguaro course in 2005-2006 with the intention of providing a completely different look and feel than the Cholla course.

The designers wanted to make sure they incorporated the natural beauty of the desert on the Saguaro course. They continuously walked the land for two months in an effort to locate the most desirable green sites before deciding upon their routing plan. The front nine loop moves clockwise while the back nine is arranged in a counter-clockwise motion, moving in and out of the hundreds of large Saguaro cacti that dominate this site.

Highlight Hole

Hole #18

Hole #18: 432 Yard Par-4 Cholla's closing hole ends with a scenic downhill tee shot. You need to land this shot around 240-280 yards on the left hand side of the fairway to protect yourself from the water on the right. Sensory overload to finish out an immaculate round with the blue water, tan desert, and the perfectly manicured green to send you home happy.

Local Airbnb’s

Nestled on the top of Camelback Mountain, this villa offers panoramic views of paradise valley. The home has 6 bedrooms and sleeps 16 guests. There is an infinity pool and jacuzzi for those perfect nights under the stars. If you and your group can afford the nightly price, you will have some of the best views in the area. This home is approximately 30 minutes from We-Ko-Pa but also offers a number of other courses nearby. And although downtown Scottsdale is minutes away, you may not want to leave this place.

Airbnb Rental 1

Located in the Foothills, this amazing home features 4 bedrooms and can sleep 8 guests. This is a more affordable option but still offers some of the same amazing features. This backyard comes with a pool and unobstructed views of the sunset. The home is beautifully decorated and state of the art on the inside. This accommodation is about 15 minutes to We-Ko-Pa.

Airbnb Rental 2

Quote of The Week

‘’Golf is a compromise between what your ego wants you to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.” 

– Bruce Crampton