McDowell Mountain Golf Club

The McDowell Mountain Golf Club is the former Sanctuary Golf Club, which was lengthened and the name changed in 2011. It's in northeast Scottsdale, off the 101 at Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, on the east side. The golf course is desert style, routed along the 101 and in between a residential development on the western slope of the McDowell Mountains at the Westworld equestrian center. It's one of the more reasonably priced upscale daily fee courses in Scottsdale, even in the season, and is usually in good shape. It was designed by Randy Heckenkemper along what used to be a storm water retention area, and from the back tees is now over 7,000 yards. It's been recently redesigned for more playability with more fairways added, bunkers removed, and brush cut back under the new ownership of Phil Mickelson. Overall, challenging course, but now much more payable, great views of the McDowell's, the only detraction is playing under the power lines.