It takes nerves of steel to putt beneath a stack of prehistoric boulders while wild javelinas nibble on a nearby barrel cactus, looking like they might want to take a bite out of you as well.
Indeed, a remarkable adventure awaits golfers at the Boulders Resort in Carefree,
Here, approximately 20 miles north of downtown Scottsdale, the Valley of The Sun’s urban sprawl yields to Sonoran tranquility and stunning desert vistas, not to mention the eponymous boulders for which the resort is renowned.
In addition to the boar-like javelinas, PutterZone.com spied cottontail rabbits, roadrunners and even a coyote over the span of 18 holes. Thankfully, the javelinas kept to themselves, and the coyote was more interested in chasing rabbits than golfers.
The crown jewel of the South Course is the fifth hole, where the green sits in the shadow of the resort’s signature monolith (see top photo, taken yesterday). The entire course is beautifully woven into the lushly vegetated desert, which is crowned with towering saguaros. Narrow fairways present a considerable challenge, especially since searching for your errant ball in a sea of cacti can be a dangerous game.
But all is not wild at the Boulders Resort. It is also an oasis of luxury, boasting the world-class Golden Door Spa, a tennis club with clay courts and exquisitely appointed casita lodgings. Yet while the resort property is rather extensive, it manages to feel intimate and peaceful.
Best of all, the Boulders Resort offers relative value. Winter getaway rates begin at $249 per night, and a round of afternoon golf costs just $120 for resort guests. For a setting this spectacular, that’s a steal. The Boulders Resort’s South Course is definitely one place to put on your list of dream places to play
P.S. PutterZone.com’s regularly scheduled programming will return on Monday.