Located near the heart of Phoenix, minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, is the Raven Golf Club -- Phoenix.
Formerly known as the Raven at South Mountain, the course opened in 1996 and was designed by Gary Panks and David Graham. Set on 162 acres, it delivers a Carolina Sandhills-type experience to the Sonoran Desert.
Six-thousand Georgia, Aleppo, Mondale and Canary Island pines frame many holes, as well as blooming red bougainvillea and a wealth of large sand traps.
The Raven flew under the radar for a few years until OB Sports assumed management in 2010 and performed some much-needed housekeeping to the golf course. Enhancements included tree management, bunker rebuilding and landscape improvements.
The result is a golf course that is a lot of fun to play while also easy on the eyes. Low-handicappers especially will love the back two sets of tee boxes (playing as long as 7,115 yards), while the greens are especially creative and feature run-off areas that require short-game creativity. A handful of ponds also come into play, including the par-4 18th hole that features a waterfall to the right.
The Raven Golf Club has one of the better facilities in the Valley of the Sun, home to two golf schools, extensive club fitting and an outdoor driving range. The clubhouse restaurant, Grill 36, has a full menu of delicious items ranging from sandwiches and salads, fish 'n chips and burgers. Breakfast and lunch is served daily.
Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 1
The first hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix is a straightaway par 4 that plays to an elevated green.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 2
The par-3 second hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix is short but has an elevated, well protected green.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 4
The first par 5 at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix is the 596-yard fourth, which plays to an elevated green.
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Raven Golf Club Phoenix - bougainvillea
The Raven Golf Club - Phoenix has a large amount of bougainvillea that blooms a colorful red.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 6
The par-4 sixth hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix plays 428 yards from the tournament tees.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 7
The par-3 seventh hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix features a green protected by water and bunkers on the left side.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 13
The par-4 13th hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix is short but guarded by a large sand trap.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - clubhouse
The Raven Golf Club - Phoenix has a large clubhouse with a delicious restaurant and a well stocked pro shop.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
Raven Golf Club - Phoenix - hole 18
The par-4 18th hole at the Raven Golf Club - Phoenix has water near the green.
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Raven Golf Club - Phoenix
The Raven Golf Club - Phoenix came under a new management company, OB Sports, in 2010.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
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