Boulders (South) - Arizona - USA

Desert playability is front and center here. The architecture is not uniquely special but a matter-of-fact presentation.

One of the issues is the amount of housing that engulfs a good portion of the course. The desert experience is simply tempered because of this intrusion.

Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf created a number of quality layouts during their partnership. Boulders South starts off well with a challenging par-4 that features a very tapered fairway the longer the tee ball is played. The rest of the

course is a pleasant experience but the kind of design details that could elevate the experience are just toned down.

Guests coming to the Boulders want golf without the harshness and the architectural duo have seen fit to comply on that score.

Given the site -- the architects did a fine job in squeezing 18-hole although the back-to-back par-3 holes at 15 and 16 are simply pushed together in a forced manner. Fortunately, the ending two holes are far better with the par-4 17th featuring a fairway cutoff by the desert to a well crafted putting green. The 18th, a par-5 of 514 yards, has the obligatory pond next to the green and gives players one last shot at glory with a closing birdie.

The raison d'être for the Boulders is much more than the 36-holes provided. The resort is truly a place to enjoy the full dimensions it provides. Golf is on the menu but it's not the singular reason why people head there.

M. James Ward