Right: The now infamous “I’m on a Boat” chip shot challenge in in full swing.


Huge bunkers, undulating greens,


a ball-snagging water hazard and substantial elevation change are clear indicators that this isn’t your garden variety “executive course.” Holes range from 88 to 187 yards from the back tees and 62 to 91 yards from the front. Significantly, golfers who choose the front tees can play the ball all along the ground if they wish — even with a putter — which is ideal for less talented or less experienced golfers. Yet from the back markers, there’s plenty of golf for the serious stick, from several forced carries over desert, sand and water, to choosing proper club selection and trajectory at the downhill- plunging fourth, to utilizing the grassy bank to the left of the ninth green. For those who enjoy the occasional


wager, or going off the traditional golf grid, the architects placed bunkers in odd places, including one just off the sixth tee, so whether you’re betting in a H-O-R-S-E-style competition where your opponent says, “Let’s try this shot,” or whether you’re just looking to practice some of the game’s tougher recoveries, you’ll have that opportunity at Li’l Wick. Equally impressive is the layout’s conditioning and flexibility. Li’l Wick’s cunningly contoured, bent-grass greens run as smooth and fast as those on its big brother. And the holes that loop closest to Watering Hole — Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9 — are lit for night play as are their bunkers, walk paths and landscape features. Imagine the gallery gathered for a twilight finish. Not quite the 16th


at


the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but pretty stirring in its own right. The early round highlights include


a corn-hole game in place at the first tee (so if there’s a backup, you’ll have something to do), a steep climb to the second tee and a fabulous all-carry shot at the 148-yard third, over desert and a gigantic bunker, with one of Wickenburg’s most famous landmarks, Vulture Peak, in the background. Nevertheless, it’s the closing trio that


will make or break a round at Li’l Wick — that is, if you’re even keeping score. The 168-yard seventh demands a solid strike to a wide, wildly sloping green


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fronted by water and sand. Another bunker lurks back-left and to the far-right is Watering Hole, so there’s no escaping your pals if you mess up. The 122-yard eighth sports more water and bunkers to carry, to a flattish, deep green. When the hole is cut in the back, you’ll require extra nerve to try and attack the pin. The 179-yard ninth heads uphill to a two-tier green framed by a hillside to the left and a bunker to the right. If you need to steel yourself before the shot, Brownlee and Pickett thoughtfully provided a walk path from the eighth green, over the lake to the Watering Hole. It’s a fine finish to a memorable, quick, round.


“IF YOU WANT TO PLAY THREE OR FOUR HOLES AND DECIDE YOU WANT TO TAKE A BREAK AND GO HAVE LUNCH, OR A BEVERAGE, GO FOR IT. JUST JUMP BACK IN WHEN IT OPENS UP AND AWAY YOU GO. ” - BILL BROWNLEE


IF YOU GO


Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club (928) 668-5535 WickenburgRanch.com


Li’l Wick welcomes daily fee play starting at 11:00am and continuing under the lights on weekends. The guest fee is $25, or $15 if you’re already playing Big Wick. Sports shown daily on Watering Hole’s nine TVs, while food & drink specials keep the party hopping into the evening.


Directions: Wickenburg Ranch is located just north of historic downtown Wickenburg. From the center of the Valley the drive time is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes, and considerably less from the north and west suburbs.


Li’l Wick has had an immediate


impact on the community, where Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch residents play for free. It’s $25 for all-day outside play, $15 if you’ve also tackled Big Wick that same day. There are no tee times, just a sign-up sheet at Watering Hole. “What we’re seeing,” says Brownlee, “is that people who are getting up in years, or have medical-related issues that prevent them from playing full championship-style tests anymore are enjoying golf again with Li’l Wick. There are several members of Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch that have come back to golf because of this course. And that we have had 15 new players so far sign up for golf lessons, so that they could be able to play this golf course.” Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett


are proud of what was accomplished at Wickenburg Ranch, from the sense of community to the unique lifestyle amenities to the home sites themselves, 60 percent of them awash with open space or long views. Yet, they reserve special affection for what they achieved with Li’l Wick. “Wendell and I like to say that there’s only one of these babies,” says Brownlee. “Nobody’s done what we’ve done here.” As we exit the ninth green to Glenn


Frey and the Eagles strumming, Take It Easy, it’s hard to disagree. n


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


SPRING 2017 | AZ GOLF Insider | 21


WICKENBURG RANCH


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