The Cholla Course at We Ko Pa

The Cholla Course at We Ko Pa Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona,  is absolutely a delight in every meaningful way.  First of all it meets the primary criteria by which I like to judge a course: Was it serious fun?  Or not?  Architect Scott Miller clearly knows all about fun, strategy and beauty.

This was serious fun. The opening par 4 eases you into the day gently but the second hole just jumps right up to kill you.  It’s a winding 3 shot mother that demands, well 3 real good shots.  Of course I hit a five wood from 208 around a corner to eight feet for birdie.  And after looking at my nemesis to be sure he was paying attention, I knocked that sucker right in the middle of the hole.

Every hole, and I mean every hole, was a winner.  Very unusual holes too-split fairways to choose from on a few holes divided by a lone tree that was very cool and the very playable and imaginative green complexes were simply a joy to navigate.  The greens were very fast and easy to read and if you got it on your line, you could really make some stuff happen on the greens.

And the Cholla won the award for best cheeseburger of the week, served by someone’s grandmother hot off the grill with cheese dripping onto the paper plate.  Killer diller.

It’s a very strong, highly recommend track and facility. Play it when you get the chance.  Serious fun!