Golf & Social Club


Verde River


Construction by Lehman Design Group (below) has turned out some exceptional results (above) at Verde River Golf & Social Club, formerly known as Tegavah and before that Vista Verde.


IF YOU GO


Verde River Golf & Social Club 29005 N. Verde River Way Rio Verde, AZ 85263 Green fees: $40 for Rapid Pass holders, $60 for Arizona residents and $75 for guests and out-of-state visitors. Includes practice balls and golf cart. Tee times are at 10-minute intervals. Tee times: Visit verderivergolf.com or call (480) 471-3232.


An all-new 14th


three new holes. Although occupying the same corridor as the old 15th


makes for a total of , it’s


a shorter hole, says Brands, and set lower into the terrain to accommodate storm-water issues. Brands and Lehman restored the entire sandy waste area that runs down the right side to what it resembled in its early days, but they altered the green, sloping it left-to-right. “It’s friendlier now if you miss


it left,” says Brands, “But it could be tougher if you miss it to the right, as it could roll off into the sand feature.” Lehman points to the old seventh hole


(new eighth) as one that best displays the improvements. “The old version was a short par-4 with a wash that crosses in front of the green,” says Lehman. “The green was very narrow, very elevated, with deep bunkers to the left. It felt


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cramped, with angles and falloffs that were too sharp, which led to too many shots that rolled off into the desert scrub. We rebuilt the green, and the bunkers around the green and softened the surrounds. We’ve now encouraged players to try and drive the green, because in the new version, there’s a place to recover from if you miss.” While Lehman and Brands get


to stamp their own design imprint on the bookend opening and closing holes, the Kavanaugh creations hold up very well, a relief for fans of the old layout. The new par-4 11th par-5 12th


and (formerly the 12th and 13th


holes) will emerge mostly intact. “They head east, so you’re looking


at the mountains,” says Lehman. “The long-range views are spectacular and the shots are very challenging. If you


plan your attack properly, you’ll have a great opportunity for rewards on both holes. Each hole has attractive natural vegetation and the greens that Ken (Kavanaugh) did originally are very accepting of the golf shot you have to hit into them. When all is said and done, and all the landscaping is put in and finished, the brush trimmed back, the turf areas expanded, I think these two holes will be the best on the golf course.” To Lehman, the mission at Verde


River was straightforward. “It was simply a matter of how do we take each hole, and make it better, without reinventing the wheel.” From the early returns, mission accomplished. n


Joe Passov, aka Travelin’ Joe, rates golf courses and travel destinations for GOLF magazine.


FALL 2016 | AZ GOLF Insider | 23


COURTESY VERDE RIVER GOLF & SOCIAL CLUB


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