December 23, 2009
Despite all that slick advertising about coefficients of restitution, exotic shaft alloys, and moments of inertia, it may be that the most important technological innovation in golf has been, in fact, the lawnmower. In the same vein, if you have ever been impressed by the fantastic golf paradise known as the Valley of the Sun out in Arizona, you probably haven’t thought too much about what made it all possible. Two words: air conditioning. The most important brand name in Scottsdale isn’t Titleist or Callaway, it’s Carrier.
In 1940, Phoenix’s population was 65,000. By 2008, it had grown to 1.6 million. Scottsdale today has about 240,000 souls. In 1940, it claimed only 2,761 hot and dusty inhabitants. Last time I played Grayhawk, I think there were more people having a cold one at Phil’s Grill.
There are over 140 golf courses you can try out here, from OK to fantastic. The big names are Grayhawk (Raptor and Talon), Troon (Monument and Pinnacle), TPC Scottsdale (Stadium and Champions), Talking Stick (North and South), Kierland (27 holes), and We-Ko-Pa (Cholla and Saguaro). But there’s plenty of less pricey and really excellent golf around. Off the top of my head: Legacy Golf Resort, Raven Golf Club, Papago, Ocotillo, ASU Karsten, and Gold Canyon (Dinosaur Mountain), currently number 8 on Golf Magazine’s list of the Top Ten Most Underrated Courses in the US. http://ow.ly/ETaJ
The toughest ticket out here are the nice private clubs. I covet a day at Whisper Rock, with two stellar courses, Tom Fazio’s Upper and Phil Mickelson’s Lower. I’d also need a couple hours at the 19th hole, ranked on Golf Digest’s “Best Golf Bars’ list and a gotta-be-fun membership that includes characters like Gary McCord and pros like Baddeley, Ogilvy, Herron and Miller Barber. Both the golf and the conversation are apt to be pretty lively.
Where to stay? You have a million choices. In the US, only New York has more AAA Five-Diamond hotels than Scottsdale. You can also find plenty of rooms for under $100 a night in high season. If you have to go in the summer, just be sure to thank Willis Carrier (1876-1950), the inventor of modern air conditioning.
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