First stop was Rio Verde and Tonto Verde about 8 miles just outside of nowhere. But if golf and serenity is what you crave, and you're over 55, then the Verde's are a perfect fit. With 72 holes of golf, an offered trail fee, affordable housing, it could be ideal. They do let a few youngsters our age in so we may keep it in the running. I loved the new clubhouse at Rio Tonto, especially the outdoor patio overlooking the canyons/mountains and a very active mini golf course on true putting greens.
We still haven't golfed this one because we're not sure we can handle such a remote location but we haven't completely ruled it out.
At Robin and Tommy's (Dove Mountain pals) suggestion, we also checked out the Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club this week. The new yet old world charming club house was splendid and would be a very comfortable place to call home. Pulled out of BK by a Wyoming oil man, the club is now privately owned but for financial reasons is open to public play, at least for now. Fortunately there are two courses and the members always have one to themselves.
The named for Mountain range is always in sight and it is a focal point of the driving range.
At the driving range we met a member and learned the men's league was heading to Marana to play at the Gallery next week. I love the inner club arrangement already!
With two courses, gorgeous reasonably priced homes, incredible views, I was ready to write a check (nearly seventeen months living in a Winnebago may be influencing my eagerness). Only one small glitch...no cart or trail fees. We'd have to pony up $17 per cart or walk (fine by me) for this to work and Mike isn't ready to compromise until he's seen everything out there. Geesh...but as a good friend reminded me, we have the rest of our lives to find the right fit.
The course we played that day, Lost Gold, was in impeccable shape, even with some resort play. We'd been told that the greens were running at 13 but with all of our playing, we'd say it was more in the range of 10.5. Still OK by our standards.
The views will amaze, the lush fairways surprise, and the dag nab rocky desert will frustrate you.
The owner of the club lives here, on the 12th fairway:
Not too shabby.
The finishing hole requires great length and accuracy on your approach.
We both had solid tee shots yet were both left with a 3 wood in hand to get to the green on this long par 4.
To our astonishment we both landed our shots safely on the green and just missed our birdie putts.
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Not a bad way to finish. I'm guessing that "superstition" mountain had something to do with our play on that last hole. It really wants us here to stay, at least that's my take on it.
They invited us back to play the other course, Prospector, but we'll wait until we know if this club is in the top 3 before taking them up on their kind offer.
Back home we continue to enjoy the southwestern sunsets at our Golf and RV Park.
Today we're going to see an LPGA match that is going on up the road about 40 miles in Phoenix. I'll try to pick up some pointers! Tomorrow we again pull anchor and head to Anthem.
Until then, stay groovy!
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