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Scottsdale Golf: Arizona’s Premier Golfing Destination

Program Number: 20224RJ
Start and End Dates:
11/10/2013 - 11/14/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Price starting at: $889.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Golf
Meals: 10; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Scottsdale owes its reputation as one of the world’s top golf destinations to its more than 330 days of yearly sunshine and to the 200-plus golf courses in its vicinity. Take your game to a new level with instruction by the PGA-certified staff of the Bryan Hepler Golf School. Learn to focus on the mental game in a holistic approach to mind-and-body coordination. Test out your new skills on three scenic and challenging Scottsdale courses for 54 holes of golf.




Highlights

• Enjoy small-group instruction by PGA-certified professionals at one of the top golf schools in the country.
• Add to your golf immersion with a visit to the Ping Golf factory to witness the revolution in golf technology.
• Conclude your week with an expert-led visit to Taliesin West, former home of Frank Lloyd Wright.



Activity Particulars

Golf experience required. Less experienced players are allowed to take this program, but they must be prepared to keep up with the pace of the more experienced players.



Coordinated by Northern Arizona University.




Scottsdale

An affluent city adjacent to Phoenix, Scottsdale enjoys an annual average of more than 330 days of sunshine, a factor that, along with the area’s wide-open desert landscape, makes the city a haven for golfers. Scottsdale’s vibrant nightlife and busy hotel scene are balanced out by its proximity to mountain areas popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Accommodations
Luxury resort at the foot of Camelback Mountain with private “casitas,” two outdoor pools and spa.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Richard Stephens
Rich has been director of Northern Arizona University’s highly popular Road Scholar programs since 2001. He previously spent many years in the field as a program coordinator and group leader, where he honed his skills and learned the importance of detailed, pre-trip planning. Before making his home in Arizona’s spectacular red-rock country, Rich spent 10 years in Yosemite National Park and the Santa Cruz mountains as an environmental educator.
 
Pam Keating Dave Rudnikoff
Dave Rudnikoff and Pam Keating have lived and golfed in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix area) for over 30 years. Dave brings his interest, experience and enjoyment of golf, and Pam her event managing skills to coordinate and enhance a true Southwest learning experience while having fun on the links. They also golf in northern Arizona in warmer weather.
 
Bryan Hepler
Bryan Hepler is known as the “Ninja of Golf” for his unique and highly successful way of golf instruction. A certified PGA Tour Academy instruction, Bryan’s years of learning from spiritual teachers, non-traditional practitioners and golf’s masters — Mac O’Grady and Mike LaBauve among them — led him to create a unique learning environment where success is inevitable. Bryan is renowned for taking strokes off a player’s game.
 
Phil Rakoci
Naturalist and humorist Philip Rakoci has a passion and exuberance for all things prickly, pointy, venomous and desiccated. Arizona native "Wildman Phil" owns 120 live animals and passionately takes his "pets" on the road across the Southwest, explaining how vastly different animals' lives are interwoven and why desert animals are best adapted to eke a living from the parched land. He’ll occasionaly talk nonchalantly with an ornate tree lizard securely clamped to one of his earlobes while extolling the finer points of horned lizards, scorpions and rattlesnakes.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
  Scottsdale, AZ 4 nights
 Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Twenty five acre resort green-landscaped resort on the Sonora Desert at the foot of Camelback Mountain in uptown Scottsdale.
  Contact info: 6160 N Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253 USA
phone: 480-991-1414
web: www.scottsdalecottonwoods.com
  Room amenities: 355 sq ft casita, plush top mattresses, separate vanity area, mini refrigerator, coffee and tea station, work desk with wired high speed internet, whitewashed wood beamed ceilings.
  Facility amenities: Fitness center, 2 outdoor pools, 2 outdoor whirlpool spas, tennis courts, putting green, shuffleboard, jogging, fitness and nature trails, hammocks, Borgata shopping center steps away from resort.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Seasonal; Rates vary, winter is peak season.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Seasonal; Rates vary, winter is peak season.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Drop in program registration from 4:30 - 5:15 PM; adjacent to the resort lobby. You will be staying at Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends by 11:00 AM You will be staying at Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Golf Questionnaire and club rental request.
  Parking availability:
Free at hotel.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Scottsdale, AZ
  Nearest city or town:  Phoenix, AZ
  Nearest highway: I-101
  Nearest airport:  Phoenix Sky Harbor International
  From End of Program
  Location: Scottsdale, AZ
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort to/from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 800-258-3826
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$17
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

12 miles
   

Must have prepaid reservations - by internet at www.supershuttle.com, scroll to Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport, or by phone at 800-258-3826. After you claim your luggage at Sky Harbor Airport, proceed to the outer island marked “Van Service.” A uniformed SuperShuttle Guest Service Representative will arrange transportation to your destination.
 
Driving Directions
  Phoenix - Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort from I-10 Eastbound Stay on I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Merge onto Loop 202 toward Tempe / Mesa. Take Loop 101 North toward Scottsdale. Stay on 101 North until the Indian BEND (NOT Indian School) exit and turn left. At the traffic light on Scottsdale Road, turn left and get into the right lane on Scottsdale Road. Just south of Lincoln Dr, the resort will be on your right. You will turn right onto "Rose Lane", follow it left around an immediate bend in the road, and the resort lobby and parking is on your left. Do note that you should leave your luggage in the car as once you check into the hotel and register for the program, you will then drive a short distance to park for walking access to your room.
  Phoenix - Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort from I-10 Westbound Stay on I-10 west to the US 60 and exit east toward Mesa / Globe. Stay on US 60 east about 3 miles to Loop 101 north toward Scottsdale. Continue on Loop 101 North to Indian BEND (NOT Indian School) exit and turn left. At the traffic light on Scottsdale Road, turn left and get into the right lane on Scottsdale Road. Just south of Lincoln Dr, the resort will be on your right. You will turn right onto "Rose Lane", follow it left around an immediate bend in the road, and the resort lobby and parking is on your left. Do note that you should leave your luggage in the car as once you check into the hotel and register for the program, you will then drive a short distance to park for walking access to your room.
  Phoenix - Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort from I-17 Southbound Take the I-17 south to the Loop 101 East exit. Continue on Loop 101 East until the Indian Bend (NOT Indian School) exit and turn right. At the traffic light on Scottsdale Road, turn left and get into the right lane on Scottsdale Road. Just south of Lincoln Road, the resort will be on your right. You will turn right onto "Rose Street", follow it left around an immediate bend in the road, and the resort lobby and parking is on your left. Do note that you should leave your luggage in the car as once you check into the hotel and register for the program, you will then drive a short distance to park for walking access to your room.
Elevation Note: Elevation 1,250 feet

Equipment Requirements: Rental clubs are available at each course, and are top quality clubs, but note that you will be playing with 3 different sets of clubs as courses will not allow you to take them from the course. Estimated cost going this route is $140. As an alternative, there is a service which will rent clubs to you for the week for $40 and have them at the resort for you, but do note that the clubs, while fine, will not be of the same caliber. In the "golf questionnaire" attachment of the Welcome Letter participants will need to select their desire for golf club rentals. Golf experience required. Less experienced players are allowed to take this program, but they must be prepared to keep up with the pace of the more experienced players.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Orientation
(Sunday, November 10)
   
 Afternoon: Program registration to take place between 4:30 - 5:15 pm at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort Lobby. This is a drop in registration and only takes 10 - 15 minutes. Do note that the distance from the lobby to rooms requires a short drive and for people without a vehicle, portage service is offered by the resort.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the Conference Center on site at the Cottonwoods Resort. Entrées will vary nightly and always include a vegetarian option. Entrée examples include chicken w/provincial herbs, stuffed jumbo pasta shells, Creole cornbread catfish fillets; shaved Italian beef w/au jus on sourdough, etc. Entrées come with soup or salad, steamed seasonal veggies, assorted rolls, drink and a light desert.
 Evening: Your Program Coordinator will lead Introductions and orientation in the resort meeting room (at the conference center building) following dinner. Get to know your fellow participants and get prepared for the action packed adventure you are about to embark on. Your program coordinator is a seasoned golfer who will review each of the courses you will play so you can properly prepare.
   
Accommodations: Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Golf instruction followed by 18 holes at McCormick Ranch Golf Club of Scottsdale.
(Monday, November 11)

Note: A morning of lessons and an afternoon of 18 holes of golf makes this our most active day. While golf carts are mandatory for play, it is possible that players will have to keep carts on the cart path (during wet conditions) and thus have to walk up to 2 - 3 miles, on top of the rigors of playing 18 holes. The golf course is largely flat terrain.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a continental breakfast buffet at the resort to include on various days: scrambled eggs, croissant sandwich, sliced fruit, whole grain breads, oatmeal, cereals, coffee/tea, juices, etc
 Morning: After breakfast we will head over to the Bryan Hepler Golf School. Bryan is an elite golf instructor who specializes in the mental aspect of the game. Brian will give a quick introduction to his teaching philosophy and then players will break up into small groups for instructiuon on the golf aspects of swing basics, the proper grip, putting, chipping, wood play, etc..
 Lunch: Lunch will be at the McCormick Ranch Golf Course.
 Afternoon: Enjoy 18 holes of Golf at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. The McCormick Ranch Golf Club has two spectacular resort golf courses. These lush, well-manicured, traditional layouts are located amidst gorgeous scenery in the heart of Scottsdale. McCormick Ranch opened in 1972 and has over the years hosted the Arizona Amateur Stroke Play Championship, the Golf for Women National Club Championship, the Arizona Open Professional Golf Tournament, and the National Junior College Golf Championship.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the Conference Center on site at the Cottonwoods Resort.
 Evening: Enjoy a fascinating and entertaining program from local golf pro Bobby Eldridge. Bobby has been a PGA certified instructor for 36 years and has a prolific collection of instructional DVD's with sales of over 200,000 copies. Discover Bobby's golf story as he relates the influence of his mother, who was a pioneering female golf pro/instructor of the 1940's, to his pure love of the game.
   
Accommodations: Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: PING Factory tour and 18 holes of golf at Mountain Shadows Golf Club.
(Tuesday, November 12)

Note: Players can choose to walk or use carts for play today, While the course is only 2700 yards in length, there is some rolling terrain. Players who choose to walk must maintain the pace of those who drive.



   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a continental breakfast buffet at the resort.
 Morning: Take a field trip to the Ping Golf Factory. This is a fascinating excursion where you will visit an actual manufactoring site, not a demo, or "store" front. Begin with the history of this family run business and then launch into the physics of golf club design, proper fitting, learn why the newer designed clubs will enhance the sweet spot and shave strokes off of your game, and tour the factory where all the action is taking place.
 Lunch: Lunch at the Mountain Shadows Golf Club.
 Afternoon: Enjoy 18 holes of golf at the Mountain Shadows Golf Club. Mountain Shadows Golf Club, nestled in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, is one of the most scenic golf courses in the state. This par 56, 3,081-yard Executive course, which seemingly plays directly into Camelback Mountain, is lined with both oleanders and palm trees to guide you through each shot. The well manicured fairways and greens in combination with the scenic value of this course makes it one of the top executive golf courses in the Western United States.
 Dinner: Tonight's dinner is left open for participants to experience one of the many adjacent restaurants and culinary delights to be found in the "Bogata of Scottsdale"
 Evening: Enjoy a free evening to rest up after our busy day. It is typical that we will return from our round of golf around 5:30 PM.
   
Accommodations: Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Desert Ecology talk and 18 holes of golf at Mountain Shadows Golf Course.
(Wednesday, November 13)

Note: While golf carts are mandatory for play, it is possible that players will have to keep carts on the cart path and thus have to walk up to 2 - 3 miles, on top of the rigors of playing 18 holes. The golf course is largely flat terrain.



   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a continental breakfast buffet at the resort.
 Morning: Stay on site at the Cottonwoods Resort for a presentation on the amazing adaptive means of survival employed by the flora and fauna of Arizona's great deserts. "Demystifying Deserts" will give participants a whole new level of appreciation for what can appear at first glance as a god forsaken country.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at the StarFire Golf Club.
 Afternoon: Enjoy 18 holes of Golf at the Starfire Golf Club. Starfire is recognized today as the oldest and most historic golf club in Scottsdale, AZ. A traditional style layout with spectacular views of the McDowell Mountains, while meandering through some of the oldest Eucalyptus and Pines in Scottsdale. There are over 535 accessible shade trees for your enjoyment. This Arnold Palmer designed layout has a friendly yet challenging layout which means players will spend their time making pars instead of looking for their balls. Superb year-round course conditions, coupled with impeccable customer service create a memorable and historic golf experience.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the Conference Center on site at the Cottonwoods Resort.
 Evening: Enjoy a golf discussion from PGA golf pro Mike Barnett. Mike is a life member of the PGA of America and charter member of the Montana Golf Hall of Fame having won 11 Montana state championships. Mike will discuss some golf fundamentals and their individual application. He will also share insights into making it on the pro tour where he spent years on various global professional tours as well as the PGA Tour Qualifying School, prior to becoming a full-time instructor.
   
Accommodations: Scottsdale Cottonwood Resort & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Guided visit of Taliesin West.
(Thursday, November 14)

Note: 1.5 hour field trip requires walking of less than one mile but standing for most the time while moving from room to room.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the resort.
 Morning: We will top off our week with a visit to Frank Lloyd Wrights former winter home, Taliesin West. Experience firsthand Wright’s brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. Visit the Cabaret Theater, Music Pavilion, Kiva and Frank Lloyd Wright’s private office—all linked by dramatic terraces, gardens and walkways overlooking the rugged Sonoran Desert and valley below. Knowledgeable and experienced guides explain how the site relates to the desert and provide a general overview of Wright’s philosophies and theories of design.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Scottsdale, AZ Heard Museum
Explore the museum’s rich history as one of the Phoenix area’s first cultural attractions, and see how the museum has grown to be one of the world’s finest destinations for learning about American Indian arts and cultures. For additional information, visit www.heard.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert


Author: Patricia Wentworth Comus (Editor)


Description: "Once in a generation, a guide to understanding a major North American landscape comes along. This book is such a touchstone, sure to become a classic. The emphasis here is on biodiversity, mutualism, co-evolution, and, especially, ethno-relationships—the long history of connection between desert peoples and their homeland, on both sides of the border.



Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water


Author: Reisner, Marc


Description: The story of the American West is the story of a relentless quest for a precious resource: water. It is a tale of rivers diverted and dammed, of political corruption and intrigue, of billion-dollar battles over water rights, of ecologic and economic disaster. In Cadillac Desert Marc Reisner writes of the earliest settlers, lured by the promise of paradise, and of the ruthless tactics employed by Los Angeles politicians and business interests to ensure the city's growth. He documents the bitter rivalry between two government giants, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in the competition to transform the West. Based on more than a decade of research, Cadillac Desert is a stunning expose and a dramatic, intriguing history of the creation of an Eden--and Eden that may be only a mirage. 608pp



Explorer's Guide Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona & Central Arizona: A Great Destination


Author: Christine Bailey


Description: Imagine all the adventures you’ll have in Arizona— touring the mountains and red deserts, seeing one spectacular natural wonder after another: the Grand Canyon, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument...Discover the art galleries, museums, resorts, and cuisine that help make Phoenix and Scottsdale such hot destinations. Full-color photographs throughout.



Golf in Scottsdale


Author: Joan Fudala


Description: For 100 years, golf in Scottsdale, Arizona, has challenged and entertained professionals, duffers, and spectators alike. Courses have evolved from the oiled sand courses of the early 1900s to championship layouts with breathtaking scenery lush green fairways surrounded by cacti, boulders, and desert washes. Rarely seen images in this new retrospective have been gathered from a variety of local archives, historical societies, and private collections.



The Southwest


Author: Lavender, David


Description: A historical and cultural overview, including discussions of present-day racial, conservation, and economic problems. Easy reading, fascinating history. 364pp





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