Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 35

C6 The Arizona Republic Thursday, August 12, 1993 Arizona golf Boulders courses world-class mishmash Bill Huffman IF YOU GO The Boulders North Course WHERE: 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive in Carefree. Take Scottsdale Road north until you almost reach Carefree. Follow signs. PARYARDAGE: 72, Championship: 6,731 yards; Regular: Red: 4,893.

GREENS FEE: Currently $60; $105 in June and September, $150 during peak season, October-May. TEE TIMES: 488-9028. The Arizona Republic Like the trademark granite boul ders that are found in huge stacks throughout the area of Carefree, the "36 holes at The Boulders Resort have gone through an aging process a metamorphosis, so to speak. i The first 1 8 holes were put together Jack Snyder and "somebody else" in the 1970s, before Westcor bought 'the resort and leveled the golf course in 1983. Famed architect Jay Morrish began putting the North and South courses together nine holes at a time.

I First came the Boulders Nine, by the Saguaro Nine. Eventually the Lake Nine was added, and that's the way things stood 27 Wholes until Morrish came back in to add nine more. Today, the North Course is made 'up of the Saguaro (front nine) and ILake (back nine), while the South Course is a combination of The Boulders and the nine new holes. "Basically, both courses are a mishmash but a very good mishmash," said Bob Irving, who has the director of golf at The I Boulders for 1 1 years. Experts agree.

Both courses are often mentioned in national publica-tions, and the resort is considered the finest in the world. Good newsbad news As with any upscale layout, playing JThe Boulders is not cheap. In that ifegard, I have some good newsbad Jlews for you. During July and August, greens lees drop from $150 to S60, and the jwblic is welcome. Unfortunately, only the North Course is open this summer, as the 'South is undergoing a major face lift 5md won't open until October.

Does this mean that only the lesser of the two courses is available? Well, ihat depends to whom you're talking. Personally, I prefer the South Course. With its sweeping vistas, massive rock outcroppings and elevated tees, it's awesome. You get a bigger feel on the South, and I think Jnore of a challenge. Tournaments fourth annual Fraternal Order of Police Maricopa Lodge No.

5 Dan Majerle Honda Charity tournament is Aug. 27-28 at the Arizona Biltmore. Cost is $300 per player, and benefits the Arizona Children's Burn Camp. Call 263-0202 or 440-8859. The second annual Philly's Bar Grill fund-raiser for the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club is Aug.

28 at Stone-. creek. Cost is $65. Call 860-660O. The Pro Celebrity tournament is Aug.

30 at Red Mountain Ranch. Cost is $100. Call 641-1207. the approach shot on the 420-yard par-4 minded me that the best way to play this rather tight layout is to pull out your driver only when you have to, as you'll get better results with 3-woods and 2-irons off the tee. Despite the Phoenix area being in the middle of "hell season," as I refer to our blistering heat, the North Course is in outstanding shape.

How many courses have you played lately where the greens actually hold approach shots? Hey, the ball even backs up on these bentgrass beauties. And as far as the overall look, well, both Boulders courses always are Suzanne StarrThe Arizona Republic dogleg right. immaculate whether it's summer or winter, and the service is superior. So, in a way, $60 isn't totally out of line. Several holes stand out on the North Course, which is made up primarily of dogleg par 4s, short par 3s and winding par 5s.

No. 5, 410-yard par 4 A great dogleg left, where positioning your tee shot right will help you avoid a big tree that guards the left side of the green about 75 yards out. No. 9, 347-yard par 4 A splendid view from an elevated tee box built out of those ubiquitous Course is a great closer. This view depicts most people, especially the resort guests, enjoy the South Course because it is so scenic.

Among the membership, it's probably about 50-50." Not much difference In a way, we're talking about the difference between one model of Mercedes and the other, so the differences are not that great, mainly because they have the same architect and landscape. A recent outing on the North Course was enjoyable. And it re- Holes in one Bruce E. Evans of Phoenix at Pine Meadows in Overgaard, 142-yard No. 4, 5-iron.

Jeff Meyer of Scottsdale at Scottsdale CC, 189-yard No. 2, 5-iron. John Flynn of Phoenix at Scottsdale CC, 1 97-yard No. 7, 7-iron. Dan Hammell of Scottsdale at Pavillion Lakes, 197-yard No.

7, 3-iron. Jon Entner of Phoenix at Gold Canyon, 120-yard No. 14. Dan Bunkers of Phoenix at 500 Club, 196-yard No. 8, 6-iron.

Mike Howard of Ahwatukee at Ahwatu- kee CC, 184-yard No. 4, 5-iron. Bob Trelo of Albuquerque at Cochise at Desert Mountain, 140-yard No. 13, pitching wedge. Items for the "Chip Shots" column can be phoned in to Bill Huffman at 271-8269, or mailed to "Chip Shots," 77ie Arizona Republic Sports PO Box 1950, Phoenix 85001.

NOTE: Holes in one must be called in by courses and include all information. boulders. The slight dog left plays to a tricky, two-tiered green. No. 16, 419-yard par 4 The first of three solid closing holes, this one weaves left, then right, with your approach having to carry a rock wall that runs across the fairway about 25 to 50 yards out.

No. 17, 195-yard par 3 This one offers a panoramic view of the Valley. Be wary of the unique trap guarding the right side of the green that includes a huge boulder in the middle of the sand. No. 18, 420-yard par 4 Every course needs a finisher like this one, a big dog right to a green fronted on the left side by a lake.

You need to hit a fade off the tee for position aim at the big boulder pile. Another thing I really like about this course(s) is the serene setting. It's almost like playing golf in a wildlife refuge, as the quail, rabbits, roadrun-ners, red-tailed hawks and coyotes are everywhere. And who can forget the boulders, which were formed during the Ice Age and have weathered into majestic monuments of time. "They really are so unusual," Irving said.

"It's funny because it's the one thing our guests really get a charge out of." That, and playing the resort's golf courses. OUR 1 SELLING LEATHER GLOVE Cougar "SOFTIE" CABRETTA LEATHER GOLF GLOVE Valued at $11.95 (311L11 wo) Sliop LOGO OVlhiuN GOL053ALLS suggefO iC'Sil DOZEN WHw THEY LAST ONLY 1000 DOZ TO SELL SORRY WE CANT PRINT VAN'S PRICE! lAll is right for golfer Price since becoming PGA champ The 18th hole on The Boulders' North But like so often is the case when you're talking about golf courses, my opinion is not shared by everyone. For instance, Irving likes the North Course better. "It's funny, because we get so many different opinions on the two courses," he said. "The reason I enjoy the North over the South is because you get short, target golf on the front side, and a little more length and potential trouble on the back.

It's extremely demanding and probably a little more traditional in concept. "Overall, however, I'd say that The inaugural Jackie Labbe Memorial Scholarship Fund tournament is Sept. 18 at the Wigwam Country Club. Cost is $100. Call 938-1676.

The second annual Valley of the Sun YMCA Classic is Sept. 20 at Troon. The scramble is $1,000 per foursome. Call 257-5121. Golden Gold Legends tournament is Sept.

27 at the Wigwam Country Club. The $150 entry fee benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Call 224-0068. Clinics The Troon North Golf Academy will conduct a ladies clinic Aug. 21.

Cost is $20 and limited to the first 20 students. Call 585-5300. The 500 Club will conduct a junior clinic Aug. 23-25. Cost is $30 for the three, 2Vi-hour sessions.

Call 492-9500. Pavillion Lakes is offering evening clinics Wednesday and Friday. Cost is $15. Call 948-3370. Mi Nick Price results." As in any success story, however, there were good breaks and heartbreaks along the way.

One good one came early. He earned his PGA Tour card in the 1982 qualifying school but was struggling to keep it in '83. Then, in August, he scored his first victory the World Series of Golf, which carries a 10-year tour qualifying exemption. "I remember saying to Steve Melnyk on TV, 'I can't believe it was this And I wish I hadn't said it it took me IVi years to win the next one," Price said. But the exemption gave him time to restructure his game.

"It took a burden off me, and I was able to concentrate on my swing instead of my score," he said. "It was the smartest thing I ever did. I knew you had to make sure your swing was repetitive, and wouldn't break down underpressure, to be a great player 75TH PGA WHEN: Today WHERE: Inverness PARYARDAGE: DEFENDING PURSE: $1.6 TV: Today, Friday, 8-1 0 a.m., TBS, 8-10 a.m., TBS, CHAMPIONSHIP through Sunday. Club, Toledo, Ohio. Par 35-3671, 7,024 yards.

CHAMPION: Nick Price. million, $280,000 to winner. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., TBS; Saturday, 1 0:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Ch. 1 Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Ch. 10.

i Men's or Ladies' i Right or Left Hand Attractive Colors OVTL TOUR GOfiF SHIRTS MEN'S S-XXL 11 COLORS $99 -j- ALL, from page CI Frances. She's the first girl after 1 1 straight boys in the Price family, and his mother is ecstatic over it. Nick Price is ecstatic over just about everything. 2 "Life doesn't get any better than this," he said. "I've had a smile on my face for four months, and it'll take a lot of 3-putts to wipe it off." Price has shared his happiness.

A.fter winning at Memphis two weeks ago, he quietly donated $25,000 to the sponsoring St. Jude Hospital and another $25,000 to the Red Cross for flood relief. This was all in character for Price, genuinely nice guy who is labeled "St. Nick" by admiring fellow competitors. I "I just try to treat people like I like Jo be treated," he said.

But he has given opponents a different sort of treatment on the golf fcourse. In the Sony world rankings, Price js third, behind Nick Faldo and Greg Norman. Some think Price should be first. J. "You have to understand they are Jtbout a player's ranking over the last (fhree years," Faldo said.

"It's a system, and others probably say there should be a different No. I player. I guess Nickie Price has the best Claim." Price's explanation sounds simple. "It's basically because I've gotten disciplined and can isolate each shot I lake," he said. "I try to concentrate Jnd do the absolute best on every shot.

If you do that, then add it up at the you'll have j.ome good a3 and mine wasn't." Price had demonstrated this dramatically at the 1982 British Open. He led by 3 shots with six holes to go. But he caved in, and Tom Watson won. "It did me more good than harm not winning that British," Price said. "It strengthened my determination." Less traumatic was his British Open experience in '88, when he led by 2 strokes after three rounds.

Price didn't blow this one; Seve Ballesteros won it with a closing 65. And Price's game kept improving and finally his putting, the last piece kicked in at last year's PGA Championship. "Things just fell in place," he said. Though Price is right, he's not satisfied. "You're measured by the number of majors you win," he said.

"And my ambition was to win all of Jhem so I'm only 25 percent of the Jiy." 8 VALLEY LOCATIONS SERVING ARIZONA SALE ENDS 81393 i.