Assessing We-Ko-Pa, A Contender For Scottsdale’s Best One-Stop Shop

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If Scottsdale is one of America’s great golf trip cities, We-Ko-Pa has a pretty good argument as its best one-stop shop.

Located on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land about 30 minutes northeast of downtown Scottsdale, ​We-Ko-Pa​ gives you 36 holes of high-end desert golf. Importantly, its two courses feel very different. And you get all the self-contained entertainment of a casino-resort while still getting access to so many of Scottsdale’s other highly regarded courses. You’re within reach of spots like TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, and Grayhawk.

The resort’s second course, added in 2006, is the standout. Designed by Coore and Crenshaw to blend naturally within the desert terrain, Saguaro sits on a slice of land that brings a bit more drama than is typical of desert golf. It’s a walkable routing—a relative rarity in the area—and its surrounded by 360-degree mountain views. Fried Egg ​calls it​ “one of the best public golf options in the greater Phoenix area, if not THE best.” A ​former entrant​ on Golf Digest‘s 100 greatest public courses, Saguaro today finds only GOLF magazine’s adjacent ​list​, where it sits 65th. Sort of unbelievably, though, that’s good enough to lift Saguaro to the top Arizona spot on our ​composite rankings​, where it comes in at 106th. Arizona’s roster is deep, but it lacks all-stars.

Cholla is the counterpunch. Scott Miller’s 2001 design offers a more classic Arizona experience, weaving through desert washes and over ridges. It’s far from an afterthought, though, ​ranking among​ the best 10 or so public courses in the state.

That’s a hell of a one-two punch. There’s a reason that We-Ko-Pa, as a destination, is so highly regarded. Saguaro is in good company on Golfweek‘s ​list​ of the best casino golf courses, ranking 6th behind places like Shadow Creek, Fallen Oak, French Lick, and The Greenbrier.

Next door to the golf sits a 246-room casino resort. With Scottsdale roughly 20 minutes away and so much more great golf to see, not everyone will make We-Ko-Pa home base. But if you plan to play both courses, there’s something to be said for doing so. You’ll have access to a spa, casino, and a handful of restaurants.

An obvious choice for winter golf, rates are about what you’d expect during peak months, perhaps even a touch better. From October 23 through January 7, you ​can play​ both courses for $448. You’ll get even more value out of stay-and-play, though—Golfbreaks has quite the deal: ​$399 per person​ (affiliate link) for two rounds and two nights on property. However you play it, We-Ko-Pa is one to bookmark for your next trip to Scottsdale.

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