Cool Mountain Treats

It’s that time of year again, time for desert-dwelling golfers to head to the cool mountain golf retreats to tee it up. Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff all see their fare share of Phoenicians making the trek up I-17 looking to escape the Phoenix inferno. Two of the “coolest” mountain golf retreats are SunCor Golf’s StoneRidge Golf Course in Prescott Valley and Sedona Golf Resort in Sedona.

StoneRidge Golf Course, whose motto is fittingly “golf, it’s cooler up here,” is a unique hybrid of desert golf challenges and mountain golf landscapes. Open since the summer of 2002 and named to Golf Magazine’s list of “Best New Courses You Can Play,” StoneRidge is a Randy Heckenkemper design that measures 7,052-yards and plays to a par 72.

Climbing and falling more than 350 feet in elevation throughout the course, the fairways and greens lay softly among the steep canyon walls. The supporting landscape of pinyon pine, scrub oak, native grasses and wildflowers greet you at nearly every turn. In an effort to maintain the environmental integrity of the area, the course was routed to preserve the natural washes and boulder formations that give the area its character and challenge.

Located in the heart of one of the most dramatically beautiful regions on earth, Sedona Golf Resort’s thrilling 6,646-yard, par-71 course is widely considered among the world’s most unforgettable golf experiences. Each hole is a unique adventure governed by its own set of circumstances as it winds around the famed red rocks of Sedona. And, at every turn, the beauty seems all the more striking. Designed by celebrated-architect Gary Panks, Sedona Golf Resort presents a thrilling layout that flows through a cedar-strewn valley between two imposing mesas. The substantial shifts in terrain make for some rollicking challenges and offer many truly breathtaking vantage points. The challenge is unparalleled, and the excitement is only matched by the unprecedented scenery of the Red Rock cliffs and glorious rock formations.