The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is the raucous scene of the PGA Tour’s annual Waste Management Open.
There’s something very peaceful and tranquil about playing golf in the desert, especially in the springtime when the flowers start to bloom. –A’S BROADCASTER KEN KORACH
steer you toward games at Scottsdale Sta- dium (home of the Giants) and Phoenix Municipal Stadium (home of the A’s). By the way, the Giants and A’s will
meet twice in Cactus League play: March 1 in Phoenix and March 23 in Scottsdale. As for the golf, it’s certainly differ-
ent in February and March than it is in Northern California. No mud balls, exquisite conditions, much higher green fees—and the setting obviously offers a striking contrast to the vibe at home. “The holes aren’t framed by trees
or grass—and there are a lot of waste areas or desert areas, so it feels more like target golf, Point A to Point B,” said A’s broadcaster Ken Korach. “But there’s something very peaceful and tranquil about playing golf in the desert, especially in the springtime when the flowers start to bloom. I’ve always found it to be really relaxing.”
So in the interest of relaxation and
stimulating golf, here’s a starter’s guide to your 2013 spring training junket:
TIME TO SPLURGE We-Ko-Pa: Two courses and no
houses—that’s a nice start to any golf experience. It’s just you and the desert landscape at We-Ko-Pa, creating a picturesque setting within the boundar- ies of this Indian reservation (the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation) just east of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. The original Cholla Course opened in Dec. 2001 and has received countless plau- dits, and the newer Saguaro Course— designed by renowned architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw—also is an excellent layout. www.wekopa.com Troon North: The granite boulders
scattered across the rugged landscape make for an impressive sight. Two courses (Monument and Pinnacle)