TPC Scottsdale, one of the crown jewels of the TPC Network, allows golfers the chance to play where the game’s best tee it up.
The greater Phoenix area is chock full of golf courses; some good, some great. It can be overwhelming to plan a golf trip and know which courses are worth the time and money to play. Thanks to the TPC Network of courses and a phenomenal PGA TOUR stop, there’s one facility that’s guaranteed to please.
TPC Scottsdale encompasses two championship golf courses – the Champions Course and the world-renown Stadium Course. The latter of the two plays host every February to the biggest party in professional golf, the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Every day, players are able to walk in the steps of their favorite professional players when they tee it up on the Stadium Course.
Depending on the time of year, visitors will find the Stadium Course in varying stages of tournament host preparation. Those who play immediately before or after the Waste Management may find wayward shots ricocheting off the bleachers and grandstands lining fairways and surrounding greens. At other times of the year, the course feels wide open, encouraging players to fire away off the tee. Regardless, it’s a course that will challenge players of all abilities, while simultaneously charming them with its pristine conditions.
Since opening in 1986, the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish-designed course has undergone changes in response to play on the PGA TOUR and to make play more enjoyable to average golfers. Some of the iconic landmarks – like the boulder Tiger Woods called a ‘loose impediment’ – have been removed, while bunkers and waste areas have been added or enlarged.
“We don’t want this to be the most difficult golf course in Scottsdale,” said head professional Alex Abbruzza. “We want a golf course that will provide the professionals with the opportunity to make exciting shots for the fans and we want a course that’s fun for the public to play. Right now, that’s exactly what we have with the Stadium Course.”
The Stadium Course’s signature hole is, of course, the par-three 16th. During the Waste Management Open, the hole is completely enclosed by bleachers that seat more than 20,000 spectators. Needless to say, it looks vastly different without the bleachers but it’s still one of the most difficult short par-three shots out there.
The second course at TPC Scottsdale is the Champions Course, which was designed by Randy Heckenkemper, and completed in 2007. This course replaced the original Weiskopf and Morrish designed Desert Course.
The best part about a day at TPC Scottsdale is that the experience starts the moment guests turn off Hayden Drive and motor down the main drive. From the attendants at the bag drop to the pro shop employees to the starters, everyone is willing to bend over backward to make sure players have a complete TPC experience. It’s truly one of the biggest assets of the TPC Network that all their properties provide exquisite experiences for guests.
“We don’t live in the area full time, but every time I’m near I have to play the TPC Scottsdale, especially the Stadium Course,” said repeat guest Scott Combs. “There are a lot of options for golf, but the pros play the Stadium Course, and my son and I are always curious about how we’d play the same course the best players in the world play.”
The Stadium Course has managed to distinguish itself in another way, with its off-course offerings. The clubhouse features well-appointed locker rooms, one of the best pro shops in the country, and a fantastic dining experience at Toro Restaurant and Rum Bar. If you’re looking for fine dining after a round of golf, Toro’s South- and Central American-infused menu is guaranteed to hit the spot.
In short, no trip to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area is complete without a round at the Stadium Course. For more information or to book a tee time, visit www.tpc.com/scottsdale.
About the TPC Network
The TPC Network of Clubs gives golf fans the opportunity to experience golf at the same level the professionals play on. As part of the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network was developed to host some of golf’s biggest events on venues designed to showcase the skills of the world’s best players. It’s a chance for golfers to walk the same fairways and hit shots from historic spots.
There are currently 28 courses available through the TPC Network.