RE-CONTOURED AND RENOVATED
Last November The Phoenician trans-
formed its 27-hole facility into an 18-hole
course with natural rhythm and flow. The
course was rerouted and fairways re-con-
toured. The new course plays to a par of
71 and captures the beauty of the Sonoran
Desert. Tees are player friendly, ranging
from 4,594 yards from the forward tees to
6,518 yards from the championship tees.
The renovation of the golf course
coincided with the third phase of The
Phoenician’s multi-year enhancement,
the most extensive in its 30-year his-
tory. In addition to the golf course, the
most recent renovations include the spa,
athletic club and golf clubhouse as well
as J&G Steakhouse with its panoramic
views of the Valley and The Phoenician
Tavern with tasty gourmet burgers on
the menu.
The Phoenician’s luxurious oversized
rooms were also renovated during the
transformation to feature a modern, sleek
design and easy flow.
OFF THE COURSE
Scottsdale offers a slew of family-friendly
options when it comes to activities. The
unique Musical Instrument Museum,
for example, is the only global musical
instrument museum in the world. Just
vsga.org
Talking Stick Golf Club’s O’odham Course
offers views of the McDowell Mountains.
slip on your pair of high-tech headsets
and explore music and instruments from
all over the world.
The immersive experience at OdySea
Aquarium puts you up close and personal
with all types of sea creatures, everything
from sharks and penguins to otters and
sea lions. You’ll step on a massive esca-
lator that transports you down into the
ocean where the seas surround you. It’s
truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Even
the aquarium’s restrooms feature large
windows that look into the shark exhibit.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West,
Scottsdale’s only National Historic Land-
mark, is yet another site you shouldn’t
miss. Wright designed the house to blend
into the scenery so as not to disturb the
natural look and feel of the area. The
home was built with the rocks and sand
of the Sonoran Desert and sits among the
lower McDowell Mountains.
The design also incorporates natural
light with an abundance of windows and a
roof that hangs over the walls to keep the
home shielded from the hot rays of the
sun, especially in the summer.
Guided tours of the house give you
a greater knowledge of Wright and his
thought process in building his South-
western winter home.
Scottsdale always has its eyes on the
future while keeping its attention on the
environment as well as the history and
the culture that is the Southwest. So next
time you visit think beyond the greens.
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