Vistal Golf Club, CLOSED 2015

Vistal Golf Club At South Mountain is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Previously know as Thunderbird Country Club at South Mountain, the course opened in 1957. The course was designed by Johnny Bulla.

Vistal Golf Club first opened for play in November 2001. The 18-hole par-71 course replaced a tired 1950s-era resort and 18-hole and 9-hole course that had occupied the property

The design was done by PGA Tour Design Services Inc. with advice from Phoenix-area professionals Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair and Howard Twitty. What they created is largely a links-style course with lots of lumps and knolls, many very narrow fairways and more than 80 sand traps. The landscaping is strictly desert-style, with bunch grasses, brittlebush, and sages. There are acres of ponds, rocky creeks, and picturesque waterfalls.

Although this is a 7,013-yard experience from the championship tees, there are five sets of tees in all. The forward tees measure just 4,727 yards. It's easy for almost anyone to find a tee they're comfortable playing.

The forward tees cut down distance, and also allow players to bypass some hazards.

The four par 3s are one of the treats at Thunderbirds. Their length varies, and each offers a new view of scenery and landscape. They all try different tricks on unsuspecting golfers.

Par 3 No. 3 is 167 yards from the back tees, 91 from the front. This hole has a peninsula green. The water wraps to across the front two-thirds of the green and all around the back. You'll want to approach from the left. The green slopes left to right toward the water.

Par 3 No. 8 is 144 yards from the back tees, 73 from the front. You have to hit across a wide desert area to get to the green, and many balls fall short in the brush. Some days, the pin is placed right behind a sizeable tree, and of course, there's a huge front bunker to catch balls as well.

Par 3 No. 13, is 218 yards from the championship tees, 133 yards from the front. You need lots of club to hit the green no matter where you stand because you're shooting uphill to an elevated green and over a desert wash. But hit straight; go too far left or right, and you can end up in a bunker or the desert.

Par 3 No. 15, is 191 yards from the back tees and 97 from the forward tees. This hole points toward Camelback Mountain, many miles away. The very fast green on this hole seems way too small for a normal golfer to handle.

The second toughest hole on the course, No. 6 (430 yards, 256 yards), is also the most scenic. The elevated tee boxes on this par 4 are tucked into the natural rocky side of South Mountain. First shot from the tips forces the golfer to carry 200 yards of the desert. It's also a dogleg right, but if you go ever so slightly too far right, you'll end up in one of three fairway bunkers on that side.

Hole #9 is one of three par 5s on this course. You can see all 18 holes and a view of Phoenix from the tee boxes on No. 9 (537 yards, 404 yards). This dogleg left also has one of the widest fairways on the entire course. You might think it's safe to hit that driver now as hard as you can. But don't forget that bunker that splits the fairway about 90 yards from the green. And what about that lake on the right-hand side?

Blue tees: 7,013 yards, rating 72.5, slope 129. Gold tees: 6,625 yards, rating 71.1, slope 125. White tees: 6,119 yards, rating 68.7 slope 120. White tees (Women's rating): 6,119 yards, rating 68.7 slope 120. Red tees (Women's rating): 5,235 yards rating 70.4 slope 124.

Course Closure, 2015 ___________

 

Greg Leicht, the general manager at Vistal, said the course officially closed June 1, 2015.

Scottsdale-based Grayhawk Development has owned the property for many years, operating it as an 18-hole championship golf course. Built abutting South Mountain Park, the 140-acre parcel was rezoned for up to 550 homes, according to a description on the developer’s Web site.