On October 18, 2007, the PGA Tour made a stop at the Raptor course at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Canadian Mike Weir claimed victory at the Fry’s Electronics Open, marking his first win since early 2004.
Scottsdale is to desert golf what Scotland’s Ayrshire coast is to links golf, with Grayhawk standing out among a cluster of top-tier 36-hole facilities, including The Boulders, Troon North, We-Ko-Pa, Talking Stick, and TPC Scottsdale.
Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1995, the Raptor course offers stunning panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains and a desert landscape adorned with towering saguaro cacti. The course features wide, rolling fairways leading to large bentgrass greens, with minimal forced desert carries, making it accessible yet challenging.
Key features of the Raptor include its strategic swales and deep bunkers, which require precise play to avoid. The 156-yard par-three 8th hole, known as “Aces & Eights,” demands a full carry to a double-tiered green, backed by a breathtaking mountain view. The closing hole, “Big Sky,” is a nerve-wracking par five with water guarding the approach on the right and bunkers on the left.
Grayhawk’s Raptor and Talon courses have earned accolades, including spots on Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play” and Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Public Courses.”
