Cochise Golf Course at Desert Mountain, Scottsdale Arizona

Golfing at Cochise:

Higher in elevation and in my opinion, more challenging, the Cochise course at Desert Mountain shares similarities with the Geronimo course as well as sharing the clubhouse. These are the two courses which previously hosted the Tradition Tournament featuring such golf legends as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player to name only a few. Cochise will captivate you with every tee box view and shot making decision.

The opening hole is a generous par 4 over an expansive wash and natural desert however it is a very fair test. Interestingly, the second hole is a short but extremely sloped par 3 into a semi circular formation of boulders guarding the heavily waste-bunkered green. A well placed short iron shot should set you up for a birdie try. My very first and only hole-in-one was achieved on this number two hole on February 7, 2007.

Needless to say, I have a very warm place in my heart for the course and especially hole two.

Almost every turn on Cochise affords the player spectacular mountain and valley views. It is hard to focus on the shot when your playing partners are all oohing and aahing. It is not uncommon to observe wildlife on this track. Frequent bob-cat, coyote and javelina are spotted regularly. The water holes on this course often bring out the groups of mule deer which make Desert Mountain their home.

Speaking of water holes, the shared green fifth and fifteenth aslo share three other commonalities.

1) They are surrounded by boulder formations,

2) there is water on three sides of each hole and

3) Gary Player scored ace and eagle respectively on these holes while competing in the Tradition.

The final holes on Cochise provide some of the most challenging shots on the golf course. Sixteen is a long par 3 to a steep, fast green with hard desert left and gaping bunkers right. An errant shot off the tee can leave you in trouble or on the green and three putt distance away from the hole.

Cochise is an amazing golf course. It provides players of all skill levels a very enjoyable albiet testy round of golf. You could be searching the desert for errant shots or you could be on the green and struggling to make par but the views will quickly make you forget the difficulty and appreciate the amazing high sonoran desert and particularly the beautiful architecture blended into the natural beauty. Homes on Cochise range from the low one millions to the high ten millions and all points in between. Hole seventeen requires two very precise shots into the green and keeps you focused on the pristine mountain views leading up mountain to Saguaro Forest and the Chricahaua golf course....breathtaking for sure!

Finally, the finishing hole will require a well placed tee shot preferably to the right of the fairway to avoid the trees left and set yourself up for a clear shot at the green if you have enough to get there in two. For the weak of heart, a carefully executed long iron shot will place you free from the wash guarding the deck and in perfect position for what absolutely must be a perfect approach into the severly sloped and faster than lightning green.

Be advised, the mountains are immediately behind the flag....trust your shot but be sure to take enough club. It is pure uphill into the side of a cliff!

A bad approach or poorly landed short your shot will trickle off the green and into a bunker or heavy rough. If the pin is located far right, trust your shot way right as there is plenty of room. If the pin is left, place your shot center right and let the slope take the ball back down to the hole. Long is a poor option as the rough will hang the ball up making a soft, chip or high flop onto the green nearly impossible to hold and stop before running off the bottom of the green.

Cochise is an amazing golf course and one which absolutely requires a second and third visit. She is like a temptress. Sensual, mysterious yet so rewardingwhen you treat her right! Can you tell she is my favorite? Enjoy!