The Eagle Valley is filled with great golf courses offering great golf season weather and the best in golfing experiences. Having sampled most of the courses over the last 30 years I have developed a few favorites. My top pick is the Arnold Palmer Signature course at Eagle Ranch.
At 7,500 yards from the back tees, the course is deceptively challenging for the advanced golfer who will find water and sand aplenty as well as fair but difficult green layouts. More average golfers enjoy the 5,400 yard configuration and wide links layout fairways. The front 9 is relatively flat and easily walked while the back 9 is best handled with a cart. The most challenging holes are 2, 11, 12, and 16. 2 is a long, lazy Par 5 dog leg right with trouble on the left off the tee and a treacherous little stream that challenges the second shot. The raised green has water on the right – bogey territory. Hole 11 is a 170 yard par 3 with a narrow raised green that runs at right angles to the approach, water and neck deep foliage on the right, and tons of sand in the back – try double bogey here. My favorite love/hate hole has to be 12. You can see forever from the raised tee box (and forever you need to see the pin). Your second shot is traversed by a deep creek which cuts across the landing area at a 45 degree angle. Finally, after negotiating this maize, you are faced with a raised green with a nasty line of bunkers across the front. Never a dull moment!
The condition of the course is always A+. I’d have to rate the greens as among the best in the area with just the right amount of hold and run and a very true roll. Capping a great experience is the fact that the green fees are quite reasonable, the views are really special, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
18 holes at Eagle Ranch is a “can’t miss” experience. You owe it to yourself to give the course a try!
