Encanto Golf Course

Phoenix, AZ

Before I make myself sound like Superman in golf shoes, I have to confess that these weren't 27 "real" holes of golf. But, they were 27 holes of Phoenix golf in 1 summer day nonetheless.

I got up early in the morning to golf a "quick" 18 holes at my neighborhood public golf course in Phoenix (Aguila Golf Course). When I arrived at the parking lot, I found a bus-load of junior golfers preparing to sprawl across the entire course. It turns out these kids were from Portland, Oregon, which blows my mind. Why would they leave the cool, comfy climate of Portland for the scalding, summer monsoons of Phoenix? Being junior golfers, they must not have known any better. Or, maybe their church wanted them to experience hell for a couple of days so they could appreciate heaven (i.e. Portland in the summer). Either way, 18 holes at Aguila Golf Course was out of the question for me this morning.

Instead of wasting a trip six blocks from my house to the golf course and back, I decided to play 9 holes on Aguila's par-3 course. Like most par-3 courses it was simple, short, and good practice with my irons. I finished with several par's and a birdie in under 50 minutes, so I was feeling pretty good about myself. Plus, the clubhouse manager had comped me the 9 holes since he felt bad about my morning plans being interrupted by the junior golfers' siege of the golf course. And, as a rare occurrence, it looked like a cloudy day was settling into Phoenix. With so many good things converging at once, it could only mean one thing: I had to play 18 more holes.

The next closest course to me was Encanto Golf Course in central Phoenix. I zoomed up 19th Avenue to find the course almost completely vacant on this summer weekday. I walked up to the first tee and hit a driver 240 yards straight down the center of the fairway. Maybe this was going to be my day after all? My next shot found a sloshy, water-filled puddle from the morning's irrigation run. Maybe this wasn't going to be my day, but I played on for a safe bogey.

As I would soon find out, Encanto Golf Course is suited for the beginning-to-intermediate golfer. Completed in 1935, Encanto is the 3rd oldest golf course in Arizona. The fairways are wide and the course is almost completely flat. There are very few hazards or tricky holes on the course, but beware of the ants guarding the ball-cleaner on hole 10 (they quickly found my shoes and ankles, and I was fighting with them for the rest of the hole). Given the course's age, it does have some impressive old palm trees and its location in central Phoenix is very convenient.

One word of caution: bring plenty of water with you on the front 9 holes. A few holes into my round, the sun started to peak out and I found myself water-less. I kept expecting to find a water fountain at the next hole but didn't reach one until the 7th. The back-9 had several watering spots, but by then I was trudging my way around the course like a slug in sand.

I was definitely overheated by the 13th hole, but finding a water fountain rejuvenated me enough to finish the last 5 holes with 3 bogeys and a par. All I could keep thinking to myself is, "Am I crazy? I'm going to complete 27 holes in one day! In a Phoenix summer!" Granted, it was only 9 holes of par 3 and an easy 18 holes of public golf, but it gives me some pride and a good story nonetheless. Have you ever golfed 27+ rounds in one day? If so, let me know. I'd love to hear YOUR story.

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