When Jack Nicklaus completed Chiricahua Golf Course at Desert Mountain in 1999, he synthesized lessons from 12 years of building championship desert courses—creating a layout that combines the best elements of Renegade, Cochise, Geronimo, and Apache while introducing its own championship character.
As the fifth Nicklaus Signature course at Desert Mountain's exclusive North Scottsdale enclave, Chiricahua Golf Course challenges players across 7,347 yards of championship desert golf with dramatic elevation changes from 3,000 to 3,300 feet. This par-72 layout features a slope rating of 147 from the Golden Bear tees and winds through the Village of Saguaro Forest with eight holes playing downhill, nine uphill, and one sideways across natural Sonoran Desert terrain.
Fifth Course in Desert Mountain's Championship Collection
Chiricahua Golf Course represents the culmination of Jack Nicklaus' design evolution at Desert Mountain. Opening 12 years after Renegade (1987) and three years after Apache (1996), Chiricahua incorporates design principles tested across Desert Mountain's growing collection while introducing unique challenges through the Saguaro Forest terrain.
The course name honors the Chiricahua Apache, continuing Desert Mountain's tradition of naming courses after Apache tribes and leaders. The routing showcases Nicklaus' mature understanding of desert golf design, with elevation changes that create strategic advantages and dramatic vistas across Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Pros
- Championship test: 147 slope from Golden Bear tees ranks among Arizona's toughest
- Dramatic elevation: 300-foot range creates variety and great views
- Fifth Nicklaus course benefits from 12 years of Desert Mountain design experience
- Tuscan-inspired clubhouse with Constantino's fine dining and 3,000-bottle wine tower
- Part of world's largest collection of private Nicklaus courses (6 championship layouts)
- Golf Digest #12 ranking in Arizona validates championship credentials
- Multiple tee options (5 sets) accommodate all skill levels
- Bermuda grass provides consistent playing surface in desert climate
Cons
- Strictly private—requires Desert Mountain membership or guest invitation
- 147 slope rating makes this extremely challenging from championship tees
- Elevation changes demand precise club selection and distance control
- Guest access limited (6 rounds per individual per year across all Desert Mountain courses)
- Summer heat (June-August) creates difficult playing conditions
- Target desert golf requires accuracy off the tee
Signature Holes at Chiricahua
Chiricahua features four official signature holes that showcase the course's championship character and dramatic desert setting.
Hole #7 - Strategic positioning and elevation awareness combine on this challenging par-4 that rewards players who manage the desert terrain.
Hole #10 - Mid-round test that exemplifies Chiricahua's blend of target golf and elevation changes with outstanding desert vistas.
Hole #14 - Demanding par-3 that showcases Nicklaus' green complex design philosophy with precise distance control required.
Hole #15 - Championship par-5 that tests course management skills across dramatic elevation changes in the back nine.
Tuscan-Inspired Clubhouse at 3,300 Feet
Chiricahua's clubhouse represents a departure from Desert Mountain's other facilities with its Old World Italian design inspired by traditional Tuscan olive vineyards and farmhouses. Perched at 3,300 feet—the highest point on the course—the clubhouse overlooks the 18th hole with panoramic desert views.
Constantino's offers fine Italian dining anchored by a dramatic 3,000-bottle wine tower, while Angelo's provides casual lunch options for members finishing their rounds.
Course Specifications
| Tees | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|------|---------|--------|-------| | Golden Bear | 7,347 | 74.6 | 147 | | Blue | 6,796 | 72.0 | 140 | | White | 6,289 | 69.4 | 135 | | Red | 5,614 | 66.0 | 127 | | Green | 4,998 | 63.4 | 119 |
Access and Membership
Chiricahua Golf Course is exclusively available to Desert Mountain members. As a Platinum Club of America, Desert Mountain maintains strict access policies with no public play.
Guest Policies:
- Maximum 12 guest rounds per month across all Desert Mountain courses
- Maximum 30 guest rounds per season across all courses
- Individual guests limited to 6 rounds per calendar year total (all courses combined)
Contact: (480) 595-4000 or [email protected]