Finishing by noon, I drove a half-hour south to the Golf Club of Estrella, which features a Nicklaus signature. Not Jack, but oldest son, Jackie, though the pencil didn't fall far from the drafting table on this design. Estrella bears all the Nicklaus hallmarks, especially the three risk-reward par 5s with greens guarded by diagonal desert washes. It was surprisingly walkable, with narrow paths from tees to fairways and even a set of rock steps into and out of a steep, deep ravine fronting the par-3 17th green.
My final round was at the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, the longtime tour stop, a Morrish & Weiskopf creation with more topography, faux-desert areas and water in play than I expected. It's by far the most walker-friendly in the Valley, with wide paths from tees to fairways. The Stadium took $291.31 out of my budget, but it was worth it because it included a $100 forecaddie, Pete, who ended up grabbing my bag after two holes.
It was a special kick playing the final four holes seen so often in broadcasts. Just a week after the FBR Open, the towering skyboxes still surrounded the 162-yard 16th. Even without 30,000 booing fans, I managed to bogey the hole. But I rebounded by reaching the green on the par-4 17th from the tee. OK, it was only 254 yards from the tee I played, but still ...
The less said about my finish on the 18th the better, but I will note that it took me three swings (two from gnarly rough) to reach the plaque commemorating J.B. Holmes' 354-yard drive when he won in 2006. It will be replaced by a new one honoring his final drive in this year's win, 359 yards. I think they ought to keep both plaques and add to them like stepping stones as Mr. Holmes comes closer and closer to driving the green on this 438-yard dogleg left over water.
If I could elevate one Phoenix-area course to 5 stars, it would be the TPC's Stadium. I guess I'm a sucker for following in the footsteps of tour pros.
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