Apache Stronghold Golf Course
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Rating Snapshot
About
Editor's Note: Course closed for business in 2021.
The Apache Stronghold Golf Course is situated upon pristine land that, according to legend, was created by the God Usen to provide the Apaches with everything they needed to survive. It was called the Apache Stronghold because it had the protection of the Chiricahuas, Aravaipas, Superstition and White Mountains, and it is said that here the Apaches could walk invisibly among their enemies. The scenic golf course is the centerpiece of the Apache Gold resort. The unique landscape provides elevated tees, desert arroyos, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. This 7,519-yard golf course will reward long hitters but golfers should be mindful of the washes and arroyos that crisscross the fairways. The layout doesn't have any water but there are 50 strategically placed bunkers coming into play and the rolling terrain provides plenty of hazards. Many holes are carved right into the foothills.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stronghold | 72 | 7519 yards | 74.6 | 145 |
| Warrior | 72 | 7007 yards | 72.1 | 138 |
| Apache | 72 | 6524 yards | 69.8 | 128 |
| Maiden (W) | 72 | 6077 yards | 70.9 | 123 |
| Chieftain (W) | 72 | 5535 yards | 67.9 | 123 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stronghold M: 74.6/143 | 472 | 176 | 418 | 480 | 186 | 614 | 510 | 230 | 458 | 3544 | 661 | 427 | 239 | 398 | 470 | 325 | 456 | 552 | 447 | 3975 | 7519 |
| Warrior M: 72.4/136 | 462 | 144 | 408 | 452 | 172 | 551 | 467 | 212 | 445 | 3313 | 562 | 395 | 211 | 334 | 463 | 311 | 435 | 542 | 441 | 3694 | 7007 |
| Apache M: 70.0/127 | 392 | 125 | 325 | 440 | 146 | 551 | 444 | 198 | 432 | 3053 | 550 | 368 | 171 | 329 | 429 | 310 | 392 | 521 | 401 | 3471 | 6524 |
| Chieftan M: 68.0/121 W: 73.7/132 | 379 | 119 | 323 | 373 | 131 | 469 | 432 | 174 | 422 | 2822 | 511 | 342 | 161 | 295 | 390 | 284 | 380 | 509 | 383 | 3255 | 6077 |
| Maiden M: 64.8/114 W: 70.2/120 | 345 | 110 | 291 | 365 | 115 | 416 | 375 | 133 | 375 | 2525 | 503 | 311 | 151 | 284 | 379 | 260 | 350 | 452 | 319 | 3009 | 5534 |
| Handicap | 5 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 37 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 5 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 6 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Lodging
Lodging AvailableAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Apache Stronghold: Tom Doak's High Desert Masterpiece
Back in 1999, Tom Doak opened the Apache Stronghold Golf Course, a beautiful accompaniment to the casino built at the same time. From the back tees, it was a complete beast, running a bit over 7,500 yards in length with a 145 slope. It possessed as fine a mixture of par threes in the state. Doak also included a drivable zero-horizon par four. The par fives were brilliant. There was nothing about this course that was second rate. But the death knell was that it was in Globe. There just wasn't enough traffic to keep it going. Year after year, it was allowed to go to seed and then, they simply closed it in the midst of the late 2000 financial crisis. Shut it down. For what appeared to be good.
The course reopened in 2013. It is STILL in rough shape and that is truly saddening. BUT the DESIGN remains and it is absolutely worth the trip to do a Stay and Play, simply to see what Tom Doak can do if you have never played one of his designs. If you have, then it's simply a celebratory ride through the High Desert, wishing that money was no object and that it would be poured into the course. Bring some cigars, a good buddy, have a few drinks while you play and keep your mind open. I promise you, you won't forget what a truly great golf course designer was able to do with such a remarkable stretch of land.
Course condition
Course in bad condition, greens need mowed and attention. Won’t be playing Apache stronghold for a while.
Worst greens I ever tried to play on.
For such a great layout the course is in poor shape and there is no grass on the greens, just weeds. It is a shame to call it a golf course as they could do so much better. The two of us were the only golfers on the course and now know why.
Need new Greens
The course layout and the friendliness of staff is great however the greens need to be completely re-sodded as the weeds and bad crab grass has overtaken the greens. Had to just play as two putt greens which does not help the effectiveness of exactly how you are playing start to finish. I would not recommend this course unless you are only paying $20 a round until the re-due the greens
unplayable conditions
I've played this course a number of times over the past 15 years and it was always a good experience. The course condition has always been a bit rough, but a really nice pure desert course. The most recent visit (10-1-21) was extremely poor. The course does not seem to have any regular maintenance. Large amounts of overgrown grass and vegetation, weeds, dead areas. The putting surfaces are unbelievably bad, crab grass clusters everywhere, it was impossible to actually putt the ball. This place needs to be closed for several months and have a full restoration done
Unplayable greens
Greens were unplayable, this golf Course never should never be on your site.. spent $165 I’d like to be reimbursed. Worst golf experience ever
Then course needs a lot of work
This course is not ready it needs a lot of work especially the greens.
My rating is 0 and we only played 4 holes because of then condition.
This course is a message. Nightmare greens
This course has a no cooler rule that caused my family to become dehydrated and had to leave the course early. 100 degree weather and you must rent a cooler from them that only holds 3 bottles. This is after I just dropped over $300 between tee times and pro shop purchases... They wouldn't let me bring my cooler that only had ice and water. Plus they didn't have enough golf balls for sale. The staff was friendly enough But it didn't make up for the terrible greens and asinine rules. If there Was a beverage cart coming around I could understand the no cooler rule. We won't be back
Avoid
The staff are the friendliest and kindest at any course I’ve ever played.
The course could use a major amount of TLC starting with a lawnmower on the tee boxes. Then the fairways. And the greens need a ton of work. This is like a municipal course not a casino course.
Beware
Before you drop $60+ dollars, the course is in horrible shape! You could probably putt better on shag carpet and I am not exaggerating. The greens are not mowed and I have never seen anything like it. Fairways are not cut, I actually lost balls in the middle of the fairway. A hard stroke on the green and the ball goes 5-10’ MAX! The management should be ashamed at charging the fees they do for the quality of golf. They also had “no carts on fairways” like it’s going to hurt anything! I used to love playing this course and I am very disappointed on how bad it is. Rudy and Mrs. Chapman were very pleasant as usual.
Don’t go There
Course is horrible! A cow pasture would be better. Unfortunately management hasn’t been able to maintain any kind of consistent staff so the course has turned into a cow pasture, even the greens.
Larry
For this time of the year when fairways in the mountains are dormant the greens are in great shape. The Greens really held approach shots.
Stringhold
Excellent layout. Too bad course has no maintenance. No green grass to be found. Fairways and greens all dead bermuda. No wonter seed planted. Bunkers have little sand. This course has the potential to be excellent but with no care from management down this course is in horrible shape. Really sad.
Course is great layout
Needs different grass on fairways. Needs a food service. Use to have water available on the carts and on the course. Both gone now.
The course is still improving. Not bad for winter conditions, but water for the golfers on the course would be helpful.
Very friendly staff, fairways are in pretty poor shape
Very friendly staff, fairways are in pretty poor shape As are a a lot of the greens
Apache Stronghold ok - enjoyable
Love course layout. Natural desert type course. Needs some tender loving care. Not place to golf if you enjoy relaxing after your round with your playing partners and a beer or two. “clubhouse” was closed when we completed our round and were only cars remaining.... almost appeared that person came back to golf course to put our two carts up for the day.
Beautiful Views
This course has a beautiful setting. However, it needs new grass, improved bunkers and at least some gravel on cart paths. Employees are friendly and worth going to at least once maybe. A few more signs to help direct hole to hole would be an improvement. Unfortunately, the management switched the hole numbers and they no longer line up with any GPS. However, to compensate they do have GPS in the carts.
Love the layout but....
The course has a real strong layout and it very scenic. The staff is outstanding and the course just excites you with it's architecture and vistas. But you need to put aside your need for pristine conditions and enjoy the course.
There is no over seeding, other than the tees. The greens putt true and are of average speed. The fairways are dormant and the bunkers are well, abysmal. There is no 19th hole and no water on the course.. The greens are over watered and that creates some very soft conditions short of the green.
But, the course is fun and the holes are well designed and a joy to play. There were 12 of us and we had a great time. We thought the greens were fine, the views were solid and the course layout was outstanding. We all agree that we would be back and accepting of the conditions. Make the drive and give it a try.
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