Lone Tree Golf Club

Today, I returned to the site of Monday’s Welcome Schamble tournament, Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler. The course derives its name from what’s left of the lone tree that sits just off the 9th tee. It was planted in 1899.

The course plays 7,007 yards from the tips and features some pretty challenging sight lines off the tee. I say that because I steered my tee shots on the Par 4 7th and the Par 4 11th because of the water guarding the right-hand side of the fairway on those holes. They share the same lake! I typically hit a draw, but it was still tough to pull the trigger because course architect Darryl Wilson didn’t allow for any rightward miss. Touche’ Mr. Wilson.

This course is public, and it’s in fantastic shape, especially the greens. You know how I feel about good greens. In my opinion, it can make or break a course, but you can definitely make some putts out here. Here are some of the highlights of the round:

Holes Worth Writing Home About
Lone Tree’s signature hole is the island green Par 3 12th. It plays 181 yards from the back tees, and while the green is big, the hole will make you think. Aim for the center and make your par. This is the closest thing many will get to playing TPC Sawgrass, so try to make the most of it.

Quiet Please…
Fantastic layout. Players I talked to like this course and think it’s a real gem in the Valley. Par is 71. This course is no joke. Lone Tree also has a great practice facility, good range balls, and putting and chipping greens before you head to the 1st tee.

Fore!
My best shot of the day came on the 470 yard Par 4 15th hole. I had 210 yards into the green after hitting a poor drive and hit a grip-down hybrid into the middle of the green for a two-putt par.

While We’re Young
We knew what we were doing, and it showed. We teed off at 12:45 and were back in the parking lot by 4:30. At Lone Tree, that’s moving. We had a foursome, but we didn’t have to wait for more than a couple of fairways to clear before we hit. It was pretty much “fire when ready” all day.

Next On the Tee
Oakwood Golf Course in Sun Lakes. It’s a 27 hole facility. I heard a few of my fellow students talking about the course at school today. I overheard someone say that there’s water on 17 of the 18 holes. I’m on the case!