TPC Scottsdale and The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Combine to Wow Midwestern Golf Aficionados

Even the most casual of golf fan can visualize the chaos when I say "The 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale." For four sun-splashed days in the middle of our winter, the simplistic par-3 gets transformed into golf's ultimate party, complete with 40,000+ cheering and booing fans in a stadium-like atmosphere that takes on nine parts college football rivalry game, one part golf tournament.

But the Phoenix golf scene can not be pigeon holed into the rowdy spectacle you see every February. In fact, during a four day trip to the Sun Valley last March I was thrilled to find a city of 1.5 billion friendly people and a series of golf courses that deserve your undivided attention. Before we get into a great stay and play option in the Phoenix area, it's important to note a few non-golf related activities you can enjoy while there. First off, Phoenix is of course home to the Suns of the NBA and the ultra-cool United Airways Center. All it took were three steps inside the arena to realize Phoenians are sports junkies and love their home-town teams. Next, March is the perfect month to visit the greater Phoenix area, as 10 Major League Baseball teams call the area home as part of the Cactus League. Midwest teams include the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, both Chicago clubs, and the Milwaukee Brewers. If you ever want to get really close to the action I suggest enjoying a game at Maryvale Baseball Park, only 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

The TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course is owned and operated by the PGA Tour and was solely built to host the then FBR Open and now Waste Management Open. The facility, which has been open since 1986, is so highly thought of that over 60 touring professionals call TPC Scottsdale home. In fact, when I was there I happened to notice PGA Tour player Parker McLachlin launching 5-iron's the height of my sand wedges. I became jealous almost immediately.

Whether you're on the practice range or dinning in the clubhouse, the entire facility elicits "I feel like a TOUR Pro for a day," as your every need will be taken care of by their courteous, energetic staff. In fact, I'm sure if I asked our forecaddie to putt my 5 foot birdie attempt on the 17th for me he would have made it. Tiffany Nelson, Director of Business Development at TPC Scottsdale, believes hosting a PGA Tour event and the notoriety that follows only helps their overall appeal. "Absolutely, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is a huge part of our marketing and it's one of the few places that someone can "walk in the shoes" of a professional golfer. It's not like you can go put on a Suns jersey, head down to US Airways Center and start playing basketball. Also, we use #16, the loudest hole in golf, to help attract golfers. It was recently just voted the best par-3 by Arizona Avid Golfer magazine with good reason. I can't tell you how many people come to #16 and act like there are 20,000 plus fans around and when each player hits, they will either boo or cheer for them depending on if they hit the green or not," stated Tiffany Nelson.

But what if your group isn't as flamboyant as 20,000 rowdy fans? My suggestion to ensure that tournament feeling 365 days a year is that the TPC should really place one worker with a boom box near the tee box of the par-3 16th. Hit the green, punch the raucous cheer button, miss the green and be inundated with a chorus of boos. My playing partner would have received the later, but his shot into the green side bunker did prompt him to ponder "I wonder if Sergio Garcia has even been in this bunker before?"

Besides the spectacle that is the 16th, another great attribute of the Tom Weiskopf/Jay Moorish design is that the final four holes provide a round's worth of excitement. With a reachable par-5, a deafening par-3, a drivable par-4 and finally a brawny par-4 over water, it's easy to see why Tiffany Nelson loves talking about their final four. "We do believe holes 15-18 are the best four finishing holes in golf. A golf tournament can be won or lost on these four holes. Just look at this year's event where Ricky Fowler laid up on #15 or on #17 where Jeff Quinney drove it into the water allowing Hunter Mahan to claim the title. There are two risk/reward holes, the loudest hole in golf, and a finishing hole that you may have to try to birdie in order to win. My favorite of the four has to be the 17th, the drivable par-4. All four holes are great places to be come tournament time," explained Nelson.

It's important to note that 36 holes await you when venturing to The TPC Scottsdale. The Champions Course (formerly The Desert Course) was designed by Randy Heckenkemper and plays to 7,115 yards from the tips and to a par of 71. "This is not your typical resort course," said Heckenkemper of the Champions Course. "Consistent with the quality of the PGA TOUR brand, our vision was to provide public golfers with a TOUR-caliber course that balances strategy with design, so as not to favor any one type of player. Golfers must execute a variety of shots throughout the course, and each hole can be played a multitude of ways - providing golfers of all skill levels with a challenging golf experience that can be significantly different each time they play, depending on how much risk/reward they choose to undertake," concluded Randy.

The Champions Course just completed a $12 million renovation in 2007 and currently plays host to the final stage Q-school for the Champions Tour every other year. As Tiffany Nelson puts it, "the only thing missing from the Champions course are the screaming fans!" For more information on both properties, visit www.tpc.com.

This is one of the few trips where I could write more on the "stay" than the "play," as my accommodations were that incredible. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a thriving mini city complete with a massive conference center, three pools, six tennis courts, six restaurants, and a two mile walking trail that encompasses the entire property. In fact, the paved sidewalks will take you past their lagoon lawn and adjacent to the par-3 4th and par-4 5th holes on the Stadium Course. It's a safe bet that patrons of the hotel have wondered down to this area to get a complimentary look at the proceedings during the Waste Management Open.

Pam Gilbert, Fairmont Scottsdale's Director of Strategic Marketing explains what sets the Fairmont apart from the competition. "The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a Southwest destination experience unto itself with guests never having to leave our grounds to have a memorable vacation experience. The resort's design is authentically southwest, with Spanish-style architecture and lushly landscaped grounds situated on 65 acres in the Sonoran desert. Guests can savor award-winning cuisine from the resorts four signature restaurants and experience cocktail, wine and liquor tastings in four of the resorts' lounges. The resort boasts premier tennis facilities, National Geographic Explorers Camp for kids, and the top-ranked Willow Stream Spa," concluded Gilbert.

The only thing Pam didn't specifically mention is the remarkable dinning experience that awaits for all those fortunate enough to eat at La Hacienda. Modern Mexican Cuisine is the calling card of this indoor/outdoor dining spectacle. Chef Richard Sandoval has created a menu filled with unique dishes and perfect plating that should be experienced more than once on your trip. I recommend dinning outside with their signature bonfires that double as your table and getting their home made guacamole with chips - you won't be disappointed on either account.

In summary, the Fairmont Scottsdale is just as impressive as the adjacent golf courses of the TPC Scotsdale. Ten different styles of rooms comprise the 649 room estate and all of them exude first class. For more information on The Fairmont Scottsdale and to inquire on golf specific Stay and Play Packages, visit their website at www.fairmont.com/scottsdale.