DOVE VALLEY RANCH
A Rewarding Challenge : Dove Valley Ranch Golf Course

Par: 72
Yardage: 5,337-7,011

Robert Trent Jones II carved Dove Valley Ranch Golf Course out of the desert in Cave Creek just below Black Mountain, and it turned out beautifully. It also has a bit of teeth, which was one of the attributes Jones picked up from his father, the famed Robert Trent Jones Sr.

There is a lot to like about Dove Valley Ranch Golf Course, as players will need every club in their bag to negotiate their way through these snake-like fairways that play to greens with lots of movement. To his credit, RTJ II did an excellent job of mixing sand and water with spectacular vistas, as there is never a dull fairway or green setting en route to the clubhouse. Several stretches stand out, and there is no long wait to get them, as the course delivers its signature hole almost immediately. That would be the 447-yard No. 2, an extremely exhilarating par-4 over the water that doglegs to a green featuring three tiers.

Of course there are those who will argue that the water-guarded ninth and 18th holes, two demanding par-4s that stretch 419 and 401 yards, respectively, are just good. All dilemmas should be so sweet. Unlike some desert courses, players won't get their heads knocked off at Dove Valley Ranch Golf Course if they can negotiate the somewhat treacherous, double-dogleg par-5s.

Steve Nicodemus' Tip: I like the course a lot because of the risk-reward factors built into it. Keeping the ball in play on the back nine as you weave your way through the desert is the key to a good round. You'll definitely need to pay close attention to the yardage book on the backside. But mostly, Dove Valley Golf Course is just fun.