TROON NORTH GOLF CLUB (Monument Course)
Course Architect(s): Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish (Monument), Tom Weiskopf (redesign, 2007), Ron Despain/Brad Anderson (2017)
Year Opened: 1990
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Slope: 148. Rating: 73.3
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,039
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 444 Yds 10 - Par 4 396 Yds
2 - Par 3 172 Yds 11 - Par 5 512 Yds
3 - Par 5 556 Yds 12 - Par 4 426 Yds
4 - Par 4 420 Yds 13 - Par 3 222 Yds
5 - Par 4 464 Yds 14 - Par 5 570 Yds
6 - Par 4 306 Yds 15 - Par 4 299 Yds
7 - Par 3 205 Yds 16 - Par 3 244 Yds
8 - Par 4 408 Yds 17 - Par 4 495 Yds
9 - Par 5 530 Yds 18 - Par 4 370 Yds
Par 36 3,505 Yds Par 36 3,534 Yds
Key Events Held: Merrill Lynch Championship (1990),
LPGA Mitsubishi Championship (1991-93),
Arizona Mid-Amateur Championship (1992).
Awards Won: No. 10 Best Courses You Can Play in Arizona by Golfweek (Monument), 2023, No. 130 Best Resort Courses in the US by Golfweek (Monument), 2023, No. 126 Best Resort Courses in the US by Golfweek (Monument), 2022, Platinum Award Winners by Association of Golf Merchandisers, 2022-24, Best in State Rankings by Golf Digest (Monument) - Ranked 24th (2015-16), #25 (2017-2020), #29 (2023-24), 100 Greatest by Golf Digest (Monument) (1995-98), #2 Best New Course by Golf Digest (1996).
HISTORY: The Monument and Pinnacle courses designed in the high desert, north of
Scottsdale were crafted by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. The Monument Course, which
opened in 1990 while the Pinnacle Course, designed by Weiskopf, saw its first
action in 1995.
The Troon North facility has received rave reviews, such as, #1 in the state by the Arizona Republic and Golfweek Magazine, #70 in the United States by Golf Magazine, #8 in the United States in places you can play by Golf Magazine and #10 in the United States in places you can play by Golf
Digest. The courses are part of an 1,800 acre master planned community, which blends an incredibly challenging golf experience with the amazing landscape of the Sonoran Desert. Not only do the courses twist and turn through the desert, but they also play in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak.
Under Weiskopf’s direction, the 36-hoile facility was reconfigured by blending both courses and changing the sequence in which the holes were played in 2007.
In 2017, changes were made to both courses, such as updating the green complexes to their original size and design. This was done through GPS coordinates gathered from Weiskopf’s original work.
In addition, all of the putting surfaces were resurfaced with creeping A4 bent grass and the collars of the greens were reworked with TifGrand semi-dwarf Bermuda grass. Bunker renovations were also completed with new liners and sand. Drainage in all of the bunkers were updated as well.
“We are committed to providing our guests with the finest course conditions on the planet at our flagship facility,” said Dana Garmany, chairman and chief executive officer, Troon. “Through these green and bunker enhancements on Monument, we are proactively improving and reinvesting in one of the top daily-fee courses in the nation. We plan to keep both courses at the top in a competitive marketplace.”
When the course reopened four months after the renovation work, the course enhancements brought the Monument layout back into the forefront of Arizona golf.
“The green and bunker changes on Monument have further elevated an already tremendous golf course,” said Mitch Harrell, president, Troon Golf. “By proactively improving and reinvesting, we are wholly committed to maintaining Troon North’s standing as one of the top daily-fee facilities in the world.”
COURSE REVIEW: The opening hole on the Monument Course is a lengthy par four stretching 444 yards from the black tees. An ample fairway awaits, however stay clear of the bunker down the left side. A mid to long iron will be needed to find the putting surface that trends from back to front. Avoid the bunkers left and right, as well as the rock formation to the left of the green. Par is a great score.
The par three second hole at 172 yards is the shortest hole on the course. A forced carry over the desert is featured on this hole, however there is plenty of real estate before the green if you come up short. The putting surface is quite wide and narrow with a pair of traps protecting the right side of the green. Stay clear from a back-right flag and play for the center of the green.
The second-longest hole on the course comes way of the par-5 third at 556 yards. Doglegging sharply to the right, this beaute features a large rock outcropping in the middle of the fairway (hence the name of the hole, The Monument), as you swing to the right. Be careful not to cut off too much of the dogleg, as you might end up in the desert. This hole can be had, but make sure your approach is spot on, as the green is quite long and falls off severely on both sides.
Although just 420 yards from the back markers, the fourth hole is quite intimidating, as you must traverse over the rocks and the desert to reach the landing area. This hole features a very wide fairway, devoid of sand, but missing this fairway will result in bogey or much worse. Two enormous bunkers guard both sides of the putting surface, not to mention another rock outcropping just short of the green.
The hardest hole on the course is the fifth hole, a rugged par four stretching 464 yards. Desert and vegetation flank both sides of the fairway on this monster, the longest par four on the course. The hole swings to the left, ever so gently, but must be negotiated if you want a chance at par. No sand involved on this hole, however the fairway slopes to the right and the putting surface is one of the most difficult on the course. Elevated with fall offs on both sides make this hole a brute.
Number six is a wonderful risk-reward hole of just 306 yards. The big hitters can reach this one from the tee, but the mere mortals, should just lay up short of the cross bunkers and leave yourself a simple wedge to a boomerang-shaped green. Birdie is a certain possibility.
At 205 yards, the seventh is the first of three, 200-yard plus par threes. Bunkers frame both sides of the enormous putting surface that slopes from left to right. Some say that the play is short of the green and rely on your short-game to get up and down. Not a bad play!
One of the many signature holes on the Monument course, the eighth is framed by desert, thick green vegetation and features a wonderful view of Pinnacle Peak in the distance. The bigger hitters need to negotiate a desert wash that sits just 100 yards from the putting surface, so club selection is key. A short iron should remain after a successful tee ball to set up a realistic chance at birdie. Just one bunker guards the right portion of the green with severe slope to the left of the putting surface. There is plenty of trouble, but success is possible.
The straightaway, par five ninth completes the opening nine. Homes and desert flank both sides of the wide fairway. With a quality tee ball, the ninth can be reached in two, however you need to stay left, as a large bunker guards the right. A nice layup will set up a short pitch to a very accessible green, guarded nicely by a trio of bunkers. Avoid the pot bunker on the right, as this will leave a very awkward chance at saving par.
The inward nine opens with a fairly straightaway par four of 396 yards. Although under 400 yards, the hole plays uphill to the green, which is elevated with a guarding bunker on the right and falloffs to the left. No shame in making par as you start your trek home.
The uphill par-5 11th is one of the most difficult on the course, despite stretching only 512 yards from the back markers. Framed on both sides by rock formations and of course the Arizona desert, this hole requires shot-making at its best. Uphill with your second shot, you’ll need to be precise, avoiding sand left, as this will leave a short pitch to a very long green. A real birdie chance
One of five par fours over 400 yards in length, the 12th is 426 yards from the tips and plays every bit of it, as it plays uphill to a very small green with five bunkers protecting the surface. A par here will go a long way on the scorecard.
Number 13 ranks as the easiest on the course…Hardly! At 222 yards this par three is a bear, with a water hazard on the right, as well as two bunkers. The putting surface is also the longest on the course, so make sure you pick the right club, otherwise you’ll leave yourself a lengthy putt.
The longest hole on the Monument Course comes by way of the 14th hole at 570 yards. This hole plays longer than the yardage indicates, as it is uphill all the way to the green. A fairly wide fairway awaits, however your second and third shots will require precise line, as the hole tightens as you get closer to the green. You’ll need to cut the corner to the left to set up your third shot to a tricky green that falls off sharply in the front and is guarded by a deep and large bunker on the left. No shame in bailing out to the right and have your short game to save par.
Playing from an elevated tee, the par four 15th is just 299 yards in length. A wide fairway will accommodate a less-than driver off the tee, short of the fairway bunkers on either side. If you want to be aggressive, go for it, but be wary of what lies if you stray off the fairway. The putting surface is long and angled to the right, so double-check pin placement for your approach.
The longest of the quartet of par three’s is the massive 244 yard 16th. Playing downhill from an elevated tee, the 16th offers wonderful views of the Arizona mountains and landscape. The putting surface is island in like, as it is surrounded by desert and needs a well-struck tee ball to navigate the surroundings.
Although under 500 yards in length, the 17th requires precision off the tee, as you must avoid the bunkers down the right side and play short of the desert wash that crosses the fairway. Whether you go for the green in two or lay up short, you’ll have plenty of landing area to achieve your goals. This is a real birdie opportunity, so don’t let it go to waste. Go for it!
The closing hole on this wonderful design, as it plays from an elevated tee. Avoiding the water hazard down the right and the fairway bunkers on either side is key. Your approach shot will play uphill to the green, which is extremely wide and severely sloping with several bunkers guarding the surface. Finish with a par and you’ll exhale a sigh of relief!
FINAL WORD: Troon North Golf Club is a true desert golf experience that rewards quality shots and penalizes poor play. Both courses meander through natural ravines and foothills with forced carries on most holes and featuring desert vegetation on both sides of the fairway. Not only are the courses challenging, but the visual beauty, steep arroyos and forests of saguaros (cactus) make this stop, a time you will soon never forget.
To top it off, the clubhouse, practice facility, pro shop and amazing customer service make your trip a complete package. If you can stand the heat in the summer, the price is right and don't be afraid,
36 holes a day can be done.
After a return trip to Arizona and the Monument Course, I was once again enthralled about the layout. The reconfiguration of the course, the enhancements that were completed eight years prior to my return have made this course and the entire resort a must-visit. How I waited this long to return is a mystery to me. That won’t happen again. In the words of the Terminator, “I’ll be back.”