Course Review - Golf Club at Rancho Mañana

Rancho Mañana is one wild ride! Roller-coaster changes in elevation plunge you down into canyons and valleys and up into the hills as you soar from tee to green. In saying it’s popular with the locals, we also include the quails, hawks, coyotes, and even deer that are frequently seen on and around the course. The elevation changes breed great views of the mountains surrounding the area, where saguaro cactus forests seem to loom over your every shot. Players come back with tall tales of “true desert golf.”

Tucked away in the mountainous Cave Creek area, this course has spectacular views on almost every hole. Don’t let the shorter distance fool you. The exquisite Par 70 layout will challenge all levels of golfers, demanding finely tuned accuracy off the tee. Errant tee shots will certainly find its way into a desert filled with ocotillo, saguaro, ironwood, palo verde and cholla. The greens are also challenging with severe slopes. You want to keep the ball below the hole to avoid downhill putts that may run pass the hole and off the green. Rancho Mañana is also a favorite among women: Golf for Women magazine voted it one of the top 100 women friendly courses. Built in 1987, Rancho Mañana gets better each year as it matures.

To pick a signature hole at Rancho Mañana is like asking Tiger Woods to pick his favorite hole in one. There are just too many fabulous ones to choose from. However, the 7^th and 9^th holes are par 3’s with dramatic elevation drops offering spectacular mountain views. Don’t forget your camera

Other Information - Golf Club at Rancho Mañana

Practice Facilities: Driving range, putting range, chipping green with sand traps. Range balls are extra.

19th Hole: In 1999, the Tonto Bar & Grill was rated the #1 Golf Course Restaurant in the State of Arizona. Not only does this restaurant offer a wide variety of delicious culinary delights, but also spectacular views of Skull Mesa, Elephant butte, and the nearby Tonto National Forest. There is a snack bar and a drink cart.

Clubhouse: Full service clubhouse and locker room. There is also a full service spa at Rancho Mañana.

Awards:
Golf for Women named it as one of the top 100 women friendly courses. In 1999 the Tonto Verde Grill was rated the #1 Golf Course Restaurant in the State of Arizona.


In 2007, Golf for Women Magazine ranked Rancho Mañana as #26 in the “Top 50 Golf Courses for Women”. Criteria for the honor includes course design, conditioning, and a welcoming atmosphere as well as that extra quality that makes it a magnificent golf experience for women.

The Players:

• Designer: Bill Johnson
• Director of Golf: Mike Allred

Grass type: Bermuda grass with rye overseed during the winter months.

Recommended handicap: Anyone with a golf handicap under 36 will enjoy the golf experience at Rancho Mañana. It is a fun challenging course for all levels of golfers.

1 -10 Course Rating by Meridian’s Golf Specialists: 9

Comments by Meridian Guests:

• “It was the most fun I ever had on a golf course.” “The views were magnificent. Next time I am going to bring my camera.” “A true desert golf experience. The scenery was truly spectacular.” “I enjoyed my round at Rancho Mañana even more than the TPC Stadium course.” “I can’t wait to play it again next year.”
• “In 4 years of coming to Scottsdale for golf vacations, I had never heard of Rancho Mañana. I am so glad that Meridian recommended this course. It turned out to be our favorite. We will play it every year.”
• “I played Rancho Mañana five years ago; and, I thought it had nice scenery, but the course was not a premium course. Since then, they have obviously put a lot of time and money into it, and turned it into an exceptional golf course.”

The Drive: Located in the mountainous Cave Creek area, the 30 minute drive goes by quickly as you see thousands of beautiful saguaros along the mountains.