Golflogic.ca

If our 6 months of winter (non-golf season) were a desert, I’d have to say I found an oasis in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the home stretch between Christmas and the start of golf season…  I recommend the Scottsdale Golf Guide (download it from the web, since it takes a while to arrive by mail…) to plan where you’ll golf, stay, eat, spa and/or shop. 

I’ll have more specific details to come very soon on my thoughts about the Westin Kierland Golf Resort & Spa, Legend Trail GC and SunRidge Canyon GC (no its not ALL good), but for now I just want to plant the seed - if you want a multi-faceted, fun-for-everyone winter golf & spa vacation, start saving and planning for next winter soon!  When it comes to Scottsdale in March, the early bird gets the worm (hotel rooms, tee times and scheduled tours are only available at least 3 months in advance of March - the PEAK season!)… 

Tip #1: the free PING Factory tour, which the knowledgeable concierge at Westin Kierland gave me all the info on, IS fully booked 3 months in advance - even for me.  Now, he’s not a golfer but says a lot of hotel guests come back from the tour absolutely raving about it, so if you go, please let us what you thought of it!  Walking tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM. Reservations are needed and the tour takes between 1:45 - 2 hours. Call 1-800-474-6434. 2201 W Desert Cove Ave Phoenix, AZ 85029
Tip #2: Kierland Commons is a gorgeous outdoor shopping/dining experience, across the street from the Westin, and is comparable to the best shopping malls in North America including Madison Avenue and the Bloor/Yorkville area, except perhaps not quite as overpriced and even (dare I say it?) offers AMAZING sale prices! 

Surprisingly, even though I prefer “moist” heat to dry heat, and I like to refer to myself as a “picky” eater (I don’t eat anything that includes any wheat or has even touched wheat, because it makes me so sick), I loved Scottsdale - the weather in March was really a treat (I still have a great tan!) & great for the achy joints, the desert/mountain scenery is gorgeous during early morning/late afternoon golf rounds, mountain hikes, bike rides and patio dinners through sunset AND I was able to find an Italian restaurant with a separate and FULLLY gluten-free menu, called Pizza Picazzo where I was able to enjoy a couple of wheat-free beers with lunch after my round at SunRidge Canyon! 

Now, I definitely plan to go back again, hopefully at least once every year (this was my 2nd time there), I’ve made a few very interesting friends in the Scottsdale area, and in coming trips I will make time for excursions up to Sedona, Grand Canyon, and possibly even Monument Valley, Utah…