Gallery (South) - Arizona - USA

The course hosted two WGC match-play events and is a fine effort by architect John Fought. It checks the boxes in terms of hole variety. However, the biggest downside is the limited dimensional quality in terms of the routing. For the most part the opening seven holes march out on a straight line so the wind pattern faced is in the same manner -- time after time.

You then go the opposite direction for several holes.

Things do improve for the final third of the course but any course limited for the bulk of what it presents is not maximizing out its potential.

The turf quality is very good but if forced to choose I'd prefer to play the North layout because of the better routing and overall terrain. What many need to realize is that hosting professional golf events does not automatically mean compelling architecture of the highest order is also included.

M. James Ward