Award Winning The Raven Golf Club at Verrado |
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The golf course, which is situated on the old Caterpillar proving grounds, features a dramatic mountainside setting with massive rock outcroppings, deep desert washes, intimate box canyons and considerable elevation changes. This is all paired with fantastic views of the Valley of the Sun from high in the western foothills of the White Tank Mountains. No other golf course in the Valley offers the same easterly views of the greater Phoenix area. The signature hole at Verrado is the short 310 yard par 4, 13th hole. This one needs to be played a few times to get the hang of it. The tee shot is directly uphill and needs to carry 170 yards of desert, once safely on the fairway the fun really begins. The approach shot is again directly uphill to a severely back to front sloping green which must be carried or the ball will run all the way back to where the shot was played. The green is very small with two tears, neither is easy and the pin placement always seems unplayable. Life gets much easier with the downhill par 3, 14th hole and the fantastic par 5, 15th hole. The finishing hole will keep golfers coming back for more, standing on the tee you can see for miles over the downtown skyline and the entire west valley. The long 499 yard par 4 will require two great shots to get home. 
Shortly after opening, the course received the first of its three current accolades. Golf Magazine, March 2005, dubbed the Raven at Verrado one of the Ten Best New Golf Courses in the United States. Following close behind, GolfWeek, June 2005, included the Raven at Verrado on the list of 40 Best Golf Courses You Can Play. Most recently, Golf Digest, May 2008 named the Raven Golf Club at Verrado to the top spot on the Power Ranking in Phoenix. Green fees at Verrado are about half of what a similar course in Scottsdale or Fountain Hills would be. In peak season the Raven runs in the range of $150 for golf, golf car, practice facility and a full meal in the Verrado Grille. This isn’t just a hot dog at the turn or turkey sandwich following golf, the meal is ordered directly from the extensive menu in the grille. Green fees also include the chance to play more than 18 holes on a space available basis. The Verrado Grille is a wonderful resting place following a round of golf. Situated just over the lake from the 18th green, the clubhouse and patio enjoy awesome sunset views over the White Tank Mountains. The rustic contemporary design and comfortable furniture provide for a fantastic spot to enjoy a quick snack after a round or a meal rich in conversation and relaxation. The Verrado Grille is also well known for hosting some of the most dramatic weddings ceremonies in the Valley. An outdoor event lawn overlooking two lakes and the White Tank Mountains provides for a setting hard to duplicate. |
The Raven
Golf Club at Verrado opened for play in January 2004. Designed by 2006 Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman and former United States Amateur Champion John Fought, the Raven
Golf Club at Verrado is a desert layout with all the beauty and none of the hidden dangers. The golf course stretches just over 7,250 yards and gives the accomplished player a rigorous test of golf. However, Fought and Lehman created the golf course with 5 sets of tee boxes on each hole, giving players of all abilities a fair chance at par. In fact, the forward tee on each hole connects with the fairway, taking all forced carries out of play.
