The Cholla course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is the original, Scott Miller design that plays to a challenging 7,225 yards from the tips. Though perhaps more challenging than the neighboring Saguaro, the Cholla features more forced carries but less bunkers, only 75 of them spread over the entire golf course. You’re far more likely to contend with the natural sand of the surrounding Sonora desert.
The Cholla course is the original course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club near Scottsdale, designed by Scott Miller. Like its newer sister course, the Seguaro, the Cholla is routed through unspoiled Sonoran desert, full or wash, cacti, ironweed and natural boulders.
There are no houses to spoil the round of golf here (and no out-of-bounds stakes, either).
It is perhaps a more demanding golf course than the Seguaro, with the desert coming more into play on holes, which feature several intimidating forced carries.
No. 8, a 587-yard par-5, is a downhill dogleg that runs along a box canyon. Your approach must carry an arroyo waste area to a pint-size putting surface. The par-3s at Cholla are definite challenges: playing at 178-, 207-, 220- and 177-yards, respectively. The 345-yard, par-4 15th requires an accurate tee shot; anything short and left will be swallowed by the course’s largest arroyo canyon. No. 18 might be the course’s hardest, if it’s playing into the wind. This 432-yard par 4 is all downhill to a split fairway that is fronted by an arroyo forced carry and two huge traps. Then there’s the approach, carrying water.
by Zach on July 28th, 2011 09:52The course was in good condition, very little dryspots for late in the Summer. There's a good mix of holes from long par 5's to reachable par 4's. Theres also a ton of wildlife, coyotes,lizards,roadrunners, and a snake were spotted in our 18 hole adventure. A typical pristine desert course.
by Ryan Jette on April 23rd, 2011 01:28The Cholla course was the better of the two (in my opinion). It was a little more forgiving than the Saguaro course. The tee boxes are elevated above the surrounding desert. Beautiful par 3's. Watch out for the rattlesnakes on this course, especially around the rock walls.
Great course.
by Tom Karalis on January 13th, 2011 12:52I have had the pleasure of playing both WeKoPa courses and they are every bit of 5 stars. Conditioning - perfect; scenary - perfect; Staff - perfect; Golf test - As tough as you want it to be...perfect.
