Even though it s only a short, dark desert highway trip from the shimmering night-time lights of sprawling Phoenix, man is insignificant here. The environment rules. Construction of this world-class golf resort, covering 1,300 acres, failed to drive away the wildlife. Every day golfers are surprised to see a bobcat while hunting for a wayward shot. A coyote rule allows you to replay a shot without penalty in case a coyote sprints out and purloins your Titleist.
Rabbits hog the fairways at dusk munching on the green grass.
And if you walk at night under a tree you will disturb roosting birds of all kinds including dove and Gambel quail. Red Lawrence built the first nine holes on this site in 1969 as the Carefree Municipal Golf Course. Phoenix s Jack Snyder completed the 18 holes a few years later. Today s 36 holes have designer Jay Morrish s stamp on them. He completed the South Course in 1983 and remodeled the North in 1985.