LONGBOW GOLF CLUB
A Classic Course Revitalized: Longbow Golf Club

Par: 71
Yardage: 5,202-7,003

The "new" Longbow Golf Club in East Mesa was redesigned and renovated in 2003, and the results have been spectacular. Ken Kavanaugh, the original architect, did most of the rerouting on the second nine holes, which has made for a stronger finish.

Still, Longbow Golf Club remains a friendly tract, with even wider fairways and new elevated tee boxes that take in the entire East Valley. The front side is a warm-up, although it's by no means a pushover. If in doubt, club down as accuracy into the greens is more important than the longer ball. The backside finishes with a flurry, as a player needs every club in his bag from the 14th hole on.

What's great about Longbow Golf Club is that it is easy to walk for a desert course, and a good score can most definitely be had. That, and the beautiful new clubhouse is "pure Arizona," with a front-porch feel that is cozy and spacious right down to its open-air fireplace.

Steve Nicodemus' Tip: They took a good course and made it better in every way. Longbow is generous off the tee but more difficult as you get closer to the greens, which range from small to quite large. The par-3s are all good, and you have to golf your ball on the (par) 4s and 5s. I guess the best thing about Longbow is that it is simply a fun course. It's the perfect layout for "regular guys".