Troon North: Monument Course

Troon North, Monument: In 1992 Golf Digest voted this Par-72 layout in the high Sonoran Desert of Arizona one of the best new private courses a year after it opened. Located to the north of Pinnacle Peak just north of Scottsdale, it compares favorably to its older sister, Troon Golf & Country Club, to the south which has been described as one of the best desert course ever conceived. Both were designed by the productive team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. These 7008 yards traverse balancing rocks, cinder cones, deep arroyos and splendid desert foliage interspersed with towering Saguaro Cacti. Elevated Tees allow spectacular views of the surrounding terrain, desert cities and distant Mazatzal Mountains. The routing while maintaining a focus on each individual hole follows the natural contours of the land and offers excellent balance, variety and memorability throughout. The greens are sometimes huge and often surrounded by gentle slopes that bring the chipping game into play. The course has been compared to the classic Pinehurst No.2 in its strategic options and challenge to the Pros. Because of the constant subtle changes in elevation, varying levels of the greens and the intervention of rocks, boulders and raw desert areas that sometimes slash across the fairways, distances can be deceiving and club selection difficult. For example the 392-yard Par-4, Tenth plays uphill to a landing area short of a bunker ahead and rough on the right. The green is beyond a wall of boulders and partially concealed. It is also about 14 feet higher and appears closer than it really is. Players have a tendency to under-club and in the often fierce winds, club selection and accuracy are a must. No wonder then that statistically it is one of the most difficult holes. The par-3 Sixteenth is perhaps the most beautiful hole on the course. The Tee plays to a green that is caressed by cool water front and right, backed by rocks with bunkers nestled between and guarding the left. It is the only water hole on the course and a tempting oasis for tired or errant shots.

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Artists' Golf is a conceptual work of art Copyright 1995 - 2008 by David B. Lewis and all original paintings, drawings and art works are Copyright by David B. Lewis. All rights reserved.  Maps of existing courses are original artistic interpretations and impressions from a variety of sources and are not intended to be accurate renderings or representations of the actual courses.  They indicate my interest and study and are intended purely for the pleasure and information of the viewers and are not for sale or profit.