| |
| The Phoenician |
A Golf Oasis in The Valley of the Sun Over breakfast with The Phoenician's sales and marketing director one morning several years ago, I was asked to pinpoint the weak points of his property. It was a brilliant summer morning and people were flocking to the seven sprawling swimming pools a few yards from where we sat. Up on the hillside behind the hotel, joggers were out for their morning exercise through the cactus garden in the shadow of Camelback Mountain. Others were emerging onto their balconies, sipping orange juice and contemplating the spa treatments in which they'd indulge later in the day. Still others were practicing putts in front of the clubhouse, ready to tee off.
I really had to stop and think. "Well," I said after a few moments, "I'm not sure there are any weak points here." We talked about the resort for a while, and finally, wanting to make at least one observation that might justify my existence as an "expert" in these matters, I suggested that the golf course was great for resort guests, but maybe not of "championship" caliber at but 6,487 yards from the very tips, and even those not particularly tough yards. "But then again," I ventured, "who doesn't enjoy shooting 79 once in a while" "You might be interested to know that we're planning a few changes in that area," he said. "We've retained architect Ted Robinson to add nine new holes and reroute the course to make it more of the type of layout you're talking about. Come on back in a year or so and you'll see." "Really" I mused. These folks at The Phoenician seemed to have everything pretty well covered. The golf course as it then stood was a fun resort track. It didn't beat you up with roller coaster greens or too much yardage. Displaying two distinct personalities, the front nine played on flattish terrain to one side of the hotel, while back nine charges up and down the side of Camelback Mountain behind the hotel before emerging at the 17th and 18th. The home nine reflected more of what modern desert courses are all about, with minimal grassed areas dotting a natural desert landscape. Robinson's new nine was integrated into the existing golf course. Completed in late 1996, the three nines have a similar feel to the original course, but the intent was to make it a stronger experience. And although there are a total of only nine new holes, the reconfiguration also necessitated rebuilding four others. "It's a puzzle," says Ted Robinson Jr., who works with his father in the architecture business. "We had to determine what we had to work with and then figure out where to go from there." Where they went is in the direction of the desert, a direction not unfamiliar to the California-based Robinson, whose resume includes many designs in Palm Springs, as well as Arizona and Hawaii. "It's not exactly correct to call the new nine at The Phoenician 'target' golf," says the younger Robinson. "There is much that can be done within the water restrictions that still allow adequate tees, fairways and greens. But it would be fair to call our work there 'desert' golf, in that the new holes blend nicely into the natural terrain." The course now consists of 27 holes.
Guest accommodations at The Phoenician are situated in a circle with the multi-level swimming pools in the center. The rooms in the main building at the top of the circle feature views of either the Phoenix skyline on one side or beautiful Camelback Mountain on the other. A series of casitas form the lower end of the circle, backing onto the golf course and The Centre for Well-Being. On the top floor of the main building is Mary Elaine's, the resort's gourmet restaurant, where guests indulge their taste buds with the creations of Chef James Boyce whilst watching an orange desert (or dessert!) sunset or the lights of the city twinkle below. The menu here varies seasonally, but the creativity and quality of the cuisine remains constant. Typical menu items might include an appetizer seared ahi tuna crostini with caperberries, white anchovies and black olive tapenade, and a selection of entrees which include pan-seared John Dory with fennel, and mesquite and herb-crusted rack of lamb Nicoise with roasted fingerling potatoes. For those who delight in a wine list of great personality, take note. Mary Elaine's includes an impressive number of French and California wines by the glass, an even more impressive list of champagnes (Louis Roederer, Tattinger, Veuve Clicquot, Perrier-Jouet) and some grand crus that are hard to resist (La Tache, La Roman-Conti, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut Brion). Maybe the sweetheart of the whole rodeo is a magnum of 1978 Chateau Petrus at $950. The Phoenician is exactly the kind of resort that makes you love the desert: A memorable setting, fine accommodations, exquisite dining, full-service spa and 27 highly enjoyable holes of golf. But perhaps the best thing is the weather. It must be timed properly, of course, but during many months of the year the warm desert winds make the evenings delightful and the days simply perfect. Confession: I really shot 80 on the golf course, but hey, what's a solitary little stroke amongst friends FOCUS ON THE PHOENICIAN
GETTING HERE: The Phoenician is just nine miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. All major airlines service Sky Harbor and all major rental car companies are represented at the various terminals.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Opened in 1988, the resort offers 654 guest rooms, plus 62 luxury suites, and four 3,200-square-foot presidential suites. Tariffs vary seasonally.
AMENITIES: 27 holes of golf (the Canyon, the Oasis and the Desert nines) the original 18 designed by Homer Flint and opened in 1988, with nine new holes (and four redesigned) by Ted Robinson. The resort offers nine dining outlets, including Mary Elaine's (fine dining), Windows on the Green (Southwestern cuisine), The Terrace Dining Room (classic cuisine and Sunday brunch) and The Praying Monk (intimate wine cellar dining for up to 16). The tennis facility offers 12 lighted tennis courts including a grass court and an automated practice court with ball machine. The Centre for Well-Being promotes health of mind, body and spirit with a variety of programs and services. An $8 million art collection graces the property and art tours are available.
GOLF PLAY POLICY: The course is open to the public as well as to hotel guests, with guests having the option of making tee times 60 days in advance. Green fees are seasonal. Carts are mandatory at all times and included in the fee. Clinics are available and private lessons
|
|
GIVEAWAYS |
 |
|
|
|
Win a UltraHD Flip Camera
|
| UltraHD™, 120 minutes
The Flip UltraHD camcorder combines Flip Video`s signature shoot-and-share simplicity with the power of vivid, vibrant HD video. With 120 minutes of record time, you`ll never miss another minute again. And because of UltraHD`s pocket-sized portability, you`ll truly be able to capture HD video anytime, anywhere. |
  |
|
|
|
|
WIN A FREE TRIP FOR TWO!
|
| WIN A FREE TRIP FOR TWO!
If a getaway to a world-class resort sounds enticing, then you will not want to miss this opportunity to win a free trip to Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. The excitement of hot air balloon rides, horseback riding and 63 holes of championship golf combines with relaxing activities such as fishing and boating to promise a getaway to remember. Of course, the full-service Stonedrift Spa, along with Woodlands Restaurant & Lounge or Spikes Bar & Grill, will complete your... |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
