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The Short Course at Mountain Shadows to Open with Resort in February 2017
Reinvented Scottsdale golf course designed to be the preeminent par-3 course in the country
Paradise Valley, Ariz. (Dec. 2, 2016) – The Short Course will debut along with the highly anticipated Mountain Shadows on February 14, 2017, as the resort’s scenic golf course. Set in the shadow of Camelback Mountain, the course is in serene Paradise Valley, adjacent to Scottsdale. The course is aptly named, as it will feature 18 diverse par-3 holes, along with a bonus wager hole. It offers a variety of play options suited for families, corporate outings, novice players and serious golfers alike.
Renowned golf course architect Forrest Richardson, ASGCA, principal of Forrest Richardson & Associates, breathed new life into The Short Course with a complete redesign. Formerly known as Mountain Shadows Golf Club, it was originally designed by well-known golf course architect Arthur Jack Snyder, under whom Richardson studied. Earlier this month, The Short Course was honored by the fifth annual American Society of Golf Course Architects Design Excellence Recognition Program.
Richardson’s design is grounded in his belief that golf should be fun, his goal being not only revitalize the course, but also to set a new bar for the par-3 golf experience. The Short Course at Mountain Shadows is among only a handful of 18-hole, high-end, par-3 golf courses in the world that are open to the public.
“Fun golf is defined by presenting puzzles that beckon the player back for more. At Mountain
Shadows we have created just that — a series of riddles that are demanding, but all the while enjoyable,” said Richardson.
Hallmarks of the course are the exceptional greens surfaces and distinct holes, each with stunning mountain views. These, combined with the intense flexibility of tees, create an unparalleled experience. Holes play from 60 to 200 yards. The golfer will not only get to use an array of clubs, but will be able to complete 18 holes in just a few hours. The abbreviated playing time will provide a respite to golfers in the Arizona summers and allow guests to get a round in before a day of resort relaxation or desert exploration.
The story of the course is also one of environmental transition. The trend of the past was to create longer golf courses; however, this goes against land conservation and responsible water use, of particular importance in the desert. Turf area has been reduced by more than 50 percent, and the resulting water conservation means an even more sustainable golf course than the original.
“Our work here is not solely to re-create, but to look deep into the original design. At every turn we brought to the surface the attributes which were so amazingly innovative in the early 1960s — but we have done so in a language which fits the new Mountain Shadows resort. Our goal was to find the same beauty, harmony, function and innovation as Jack Snyder created more than 50 years ago,” said Richardson.
Tom McCahan, director of golf and club operations, brings decades of experience in golf management. He worked at The Boulders in Carefree, Arizona for 25 years, most recently as the director of golf and club operations. Tom’s long history in the Valley and expertise will ensure an exceptional golf experience at Mountain Shadows.
Complementing the new golf course will be Rusty’s, a patio and lounge featuring grille fare, drinks, and outdoor seating with mountain views. The name pays homage to Rusty Lyon, father of Westroc Hospitality CEO Scott Lyon. The Short Course will also feature a large putting green, golf carts and some of the best views in the Valley.
About Mountain Shadows
Mountain Shadows is the new boutique resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona, adjacent to Scottsdale. Set in the shadow of iconic Camelback Mountain and opening in early 2017, it will feature desert modern design, 183 guest rooms, a luxury wing with 42 resort condominiums and suites, a restaurant with an exhibition kitchen, two pools, a high-tech fitness facility, a fully revamped 18-hole golf course with a golf grill and lounge, and 37,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. www.mountainshadows.com
The Short Course
18-holes, Par-54 ◆ 2,310 yards ■ 2,065 yards ● 1,735 yards
The Mountain Shadows Golf Club was ranked among the finest precision-length courses in the world. In the 1970s and 80s, Golf Digest continually named it one of the best short courses in America. With an emphasis on fun for the casual golfer, as well as the serious player, the newly configured and fully rebuilt course will feature eighteen par-3 holes, each with an interesting personality. Using the same icons as ski resorts, each hole combines more difficult Diamond Tees, intermediate Square Tees and easier Circle Tees to be selected by the golfer to form their personal course layout.
The course opening is a trip along the perimeter of the property in a counterclockwise orientation. Views of Camelback Mountain begin to cascade into the round of golf. The finish is back along the perimeter, but in more open spaces. Here the course shines with the unforgettable Mummy and Dell holes, long par-3s and elevated tees. At the final destination, the course spills into the resort as if it were a ski slope winding down from the mountain above.
Hole descriptions:
HOLE NO. 1 — PLUNGE — 107 • 95 • 75
Peering up to the famous Camelback Mountain, the opener plays to a slightly elevated green backed by steep slopes. The green is defined by an upper bowl at the left and a low gathering area to the right. A graceful way to begin the round. It’s all there for the taking.
HOLE NO. 2 — CLIMB — 162 • 142 • 133
Flanked by two bunkers, the long green cascades down toward the tee with three levels. Most certainly, No. 2 will not play the same from day to day with its 100-foot deep green. This is the primary challenge: The long mid-iron shot to an uphill green allows for a 25-yard swing in hole length.
HOLE NO. 3 — FLAGON — 156 • 150 • 117
From the Old French word flacon, used to describe a vase or bottle, The Flagon Hole is indeed a “bottle” with its pinched green tucked among dramatic mounds. Although there are no bunkers, the thoughtful player will understand this by no means translates to an easy par. Once at the green, the player is greeted with an amazing peek at Camel Head, the red rock feature that completes Camelback Mountain at its western tip.
HOLE NO. 4 — BIARRITZ — 193 • 184 • 139
The original Biarritz hole sat along the Atlantic coast of France above Bay of Biscay. The Biarritz at Mountain Shadows is a twist on the original, sporting a low valley to the left of the green. Often described as the par-three that acts more like a four, this is the longest of the holes at Mountain Shadows.
HOLE NO. 5 — NUTSHELL — 90 • 82 • 76
Turning direction to the east, No. 5 is a seemingly tiny hole that sends a signal the round is becoming even more interesting. The green sits on a ridge with its surface a mystery until one arrives to begin the putting. In a nutshell, it’s a devious little hole. Best not to be taken too lightly.
HOLE NO. 6 — SIXTH SENSE — 120 • 112 • 70
With a pronounced ridge extending into the green surface, hole locations here will confound the tee shot to a significant degree. At the back of the rolling green is a target location guarded by a strong ridge that serves as a barrier to the upper level.
HOLE NO. 7 — JUTTY — 75 • 70 • 50
The shortest of holes does not always translate to the easiest, as is proved here. Defined by a stone ledge on all sides and front, the green appears much smaller than it actually is. This is due to the perilous watery grave that awaits those shots too far off line or a wee bit short.
HOLE NO. 8 — EBB — 175 • 155 • 150
From well above the green one imagines it is an easy swipe to the green. But, much like those fun houses with odd angles, warped floors and mirrors, the green is perplexing. Its first defense is a redan, the point of a triangle facing the golfer designed to knock shots left or right. Next is a fall-away green, higher in the front than at the rear. Then, at the rear, is a collection bunker where misjudged shots can easily roll. Only the well-placed tee shot will overcome this feature and have a chance at coming to rest on the putting surface.
HOLE NO. 9 — HALO — 90 • 83 • 64
At just under 100 yards from the back tee, a wedge or short iron will do nicely. The key is maintaining control and not encountering one of the greenside bunkers. Often described as the island, this marks the halfway point in the round where, so far, the routing has taken us up toward Camelback Mountain, around the corner and into what is affectionately referred to as The Donut, the special centerpiece of Mountain Shadows where Holes 7 through 12 delight the senses.
HOLE NO. 10 — PUNCHBOWL — 100 • 90 • 83
While appearing as opposites, the 9th is surrounded by sand and at the 10th we have not even a single grain — the relationship of the 9th and 10th is complementary, at least in terms of design. You cannot see the green, except for that small sliver at the front. Sometimes the flagstick only presents its uppermost end with the flag waving above the surrounding berms. Instead of sand, its moat is inverse and all covered in grass.
HOLE NO. 11 — SNYDER BURN — 166 • 138 • 87
The modern version at this long one-shotter was simply shifting the green to the edge of the stream. Edged by stone at the right, the long green dribbles down the slope with a welcomed bail-out area to the left. It is here, along this curved embankment at the bail-out, that the seasoned player will learn how to bank a shot much like an Indy-500 driver takes a super-elevated turn.
HOLE NO. 12 — OASIS — 84 • 75 • 67
At the 12th we find a green in two distinct levels, the lower ending abruptly at the water’s edge. A bunker serving as sentry to the left and all shots played too conservatively away from the water. At the back to the right is our oasis — a grove of palms as old as the course itself. Here the strategy is to pick your distance carefully.
HOLE NO. 13 — MUMMY — 125 • 115 • 111
Named for its likeness to nearby Mummy Mountain, the 13th is defined by a large mummy shaped ridge that forms its left edge. Sharing a huge green with Hole No. 14, the length here can play as much as 35 yards longer (to nearly 160 yards) when the hole is placed to the far back. Here, the small bunker serves to divide the large double green. No. 13 can play behind the bunker, or to the right. No. 14 the same.
HOLE NO. 14 — DELL — 115 • 85 • 67
The most famous dell hole is the 5th at Lahinch on Ireland’s west coast. At our version, a gaping bunker protects the front and that shared bunker with No. 14 is present to catch wayward long balls.
HOLE NO. 15 — DIBS — 180 • 152 • 146
The 15th is defined by a large and wide green. Among the putting surface are four distinct levels, quadruple tiers. Front and center is a small trap of sand. At the back and left are two more bunker pits. As with most holes at Mountain Shadows, a running shot can be played creatively to attain the same excellent results as the high and pure shot that lands upon the green and stops squarely as if yanked back by the golfer.
HOLE NO. 16 — SCOTCH NOTCH — 108 • 104 • 90
Once at the green you will discover nothing more than a dimple — a notch — that has been pushed into the surface as if by some inebriated Scottish greenkeeper just before planting the grass seed. A different hole to be sure
HOLE NO. 17 — HIGH BAR — 173 • 146 • 138
Looking out over the territorial view to Paradise Valley’s Mummy Mountain, this deceptive hole appears closer to the golfer with its deep bowl fronting the green’s surface. The green is defined by a ridge running across the center from left to right. Regardless, this ridge is not to be ignored for it splits the putting surface into two sections and can lead to a three-putt if not property attacked.
THE FORREST WAGER
The Short Course comes with a bonus. The Forrest Wager is a long flowing green where the object is to play against your opponents in similar fashion to the popular golf game Bingo-Bango-Bongo. Affectionately described as a par-2, The Forrest Wager can serve to settle bets, solidify a press or determine a tiebreaker.
HOLE NO. 18 — BEDROCK — 91 • 87 • 72
Playing downhill toward the modern Mountain Shadows Resort, the culminating hole is a crashing cymbal to a concert performance. A wedge or less, the green is undulating and backed up by a long and winding bunker. At the left is an outcrop of boulders formed millions of years ago.
The Short Course at Mountain Shadows
Fact Sheet
Total Course Area 34.0 acres
Holes 18 (2± acres per hole average)
Total Turf 13.5 acres
Pond Area 1.0 acres
Naturalized Area 19.5 acres
Greens 2.6 acres (±5,500 ft2 average)
Smallest Green No. 5 — 3,400 ft2
Largest Green No. 13-14 — 17,000 ft2
Tees 1.1 acres
Bunkers 18 total
Greens Turf TifDwarf
Aprons, Collars, Tees Tifway 419
Earthwork 30,000 cubic yards
Storm water Capacity 1.2 million gallons
Groundwater Recapture 4 drywells at 25-feet depth
Original Design (c. 1961) Arthur Jack Snyder, ASGCA (1917-2005)
Golf Course Architect Forrest Richardson, ASGCA
Golf Course Builder Landscapes Unlimited
Developer Woodbine Development Corp. / Westroc Hospitality
Operator Westroc Hospitality
Golf Maintenance Landscapes Unlimited Golf Services
