"Scottsdale - The Myrtle Beach of the South West" Without the Beach

I have been travelling to Myrtle Beach since 1990 for great golf vacations and for the last four years with my golf buddies, Ferd, Fred, Tim, Dennis, Richard, Peter, and Mike F. on our annual golf trip. Since this was to be our 5th year we decided to try a new venue. After careful review of a number of alternate locations we arrived at Scottsdale, Arizona as this years golf destination. It turned out to be an excellent choice and we reserved our time there from March 18th to the 22nd. We were hoping for reasonable weather as the week before we arrived the temperatures were in the high 70's, which is perfect for golf. When we arrived the temperature rose into the high 80's and low 90's, which is hot but still playable. It is a drier climate so the heat was not as formidable as in the north or southeast where the humidity will make it feel much warmer than it is.

The courses we played were TPC of Scottsdale, Las Sendas, Gold Canyon - Dinosaur, Whirlwind - Devil's Claw and and We-Ko-Pa - Cholla, my personal favorite. The rates at that time of the year were a little pricey but well worth the cost in the long run. The last three golf resorts had 36 holes each and we were able to replay another 18 holes on their alternate course, which was most enjoyable and convenient. I have played desert golf previously in Las Vegas in 2002, as I vacationed there with my significant other that year to celebrate my 50th birthday, but this was different. The red rock mountains and varied rock and cactus formations and shapes, respectively, were incredible. The green fairway grass against the colorful mountain backdrops were breathtaking and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. We stayed at the Xona Resort Suites, which was centrally located and had excellent accommodations for a reasonable price.

The elevation changes on Gold Canyon's Dinosaur course were the most incredible and the views from some of the higher altitudes were magnificent. After golf each day the restaurant and night life scene was hopping. We enjoyed Maggio's family style restaurant, which offered so many pasta, fish and meat specialties that it was hard to choose and at all you can eat prices. We also enjoyed Capital Grill another one of my favorites there. The only downside to this trip was the time of the flight from Newark, N.J. which was over five hours and I was seated against the fuselage with no window. I always request a window seat when I travel because I enjoy taking pictures of the aerial views of the mountains, lakes, canyons, river, the beautiful sunrise, sunsets and sometimes even the cloud formations so this seating arrangement was claustraphobic to say the least.

We normally go with a group of eight golfers, but this trip one of my good friends, Ferd, decided to invite a few acquaintances from San Francisco, Chris, Frank, and Dave. We also asked another associate from Philadelphia area, Richard, to join us and round out the third foursome. There was some interesting golf banter and comraderie between the new invitees and the former two groups of foursomes. Everyone got along great and the golf, good food and good times was par for the course. As terrific a time that was had by all I will still opt for Myrtle Beach as my first choice of golf venues but Scottsdale, Arizona is definitely a close second. If you are planning a golf trip or vacation, you cannot go wrong with either location. The amount of choices for excellent golf and accommodations at either venue is unlimited and include many options for after hours entertainment. For more information you can check on line at either myrtlebeachgolf.com or scottsdalegolf.com to find some information to help you start planning your golf trip. Have lots of fun, enjoy your trip and Happy Golfing to All !