Beloved Mountain Shadows Closer to Finish

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. - May 16, 2016 - PRLog -- Built in 1961 at the base of the infamous Camelback Mountain, just a few miles from downtown Phoenix, the iconic Mountain Shadows Resort is being granted a new and exciting life. At the hands of golf course architect Forrest Richardson, who worked with Arthur Jack Snyder, the original designer, the 18-hole, all par-3 layout has completed shaping and will begin turf installation in mid June. Completing the renaissance will be a new 180-room hotel and 40 unit resort condominium building, both embracing the Mid Century Modern design hallmarks of the original resort buildings.

Snyder's breakthrough 18-hole, par-56 design was hailed by Golf Digest and other publications after its debut as being one of the world's best "executive layouts," a term coined by golf architect William Mitchell who reasoned that "...such courses could be quickly and enjoyably played by business executives at the tail end of a hectic workday." Snyder's design, considered by many to be daring at the time, had just two par-4s and was built on only 40 acres.

"The early ads for Mountain Shadows are stunning to read," notes Richardson. "They are nearly a play-by-play to what we are finally getting people to realize today, that golf needs to be fun, take less time and involve less resources." Indeed, Snyder's Mountain Shadows was billed as a "…course you can enjoy with the whole family, and in less time…" The ads appeared in local newspapers and magazines throughout the 1960s.

The new course will be a fully re-built version using the Snyder routing as a foundation. The two par-4 holes were converted to par-3 due to corridor widths and a new focus to create an exciting all par-3 experience with holes playing from 75 to 200 yards.

During their work together Richardson and Snyder made occasional visits to Mountain Shadows. "Jack absolutely believed his work there to be among his best," says Richardson. "While he brought big courses to Wailea and throughout Hawaii, and across the Western U.S., it was always Mountain Shadows that he brought up as being one of the most enjoyable projects of his career." Snyder passed away in 2005, just before discussions began on closing the aging resort and eventually giving it a new renaissance. His memorial service was held at Mountain Shadows in the original clubhouse.

Beginning in 2006 the property changed hands and in 2008 the resort finally closed. The golf course, however, remained open and continued to have a remarkable following until its final closing in mid 2015. "It was certainly odd," commented Richardson, "to see a shuttered resort with chain link fence around it, yet a golf course still being operated as if nothing were out of place." This vibrant following for the short course confirmed Woodbine Development's vision that golf should remain a part of the creative mixed use project.

Woodbine, based in Dallas, Texas, is no outsider to Arizona development. Their award-winning Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, Arizona has remained one of the strongest retail developments in the U.S., with its uniquely configured retail, office and residential offerings integrated to a town square setting. Under a joint development agreement, Woodbine is developing the new Mountain Shadows with long-standing Arizona resort entity Westroc Resorts. Westroc will operate the resort and golf components, and will develop the condominium component of the project.

The 1960s plan for Mountain Shadows was breakthrough for its time period. The resort, restaurants and amenities were all enjoyed by guests and residents, including those from nearby neighborhoods who found the property ideal for parties, weddings and local conferences. The golf was compact, but it provided the open space and recreation that was a welcome reprieve. "We hear all the time from people who recalled playing there with their parents and grandparents," notes Richardson. "Compared to the other golf in Phoenix at the time, one can see why Mountain Shadows was so popular. It was not only different, but the round could be enjoyed by those of every skill level. It was the ultimate equalizer."

The new course will measure just under 2,500 yards and play to par-54. Holes 1-5 climb up the foothills toward landmark Camelback Mountain and then transcend into the interior property where a pond and stream has been preserved from the original design. The routing then flows down toward the resort grounds.

In between Holes 17 and 18 Richardson has fulfilled a dream of building a bonus 'par-2' hole, a concept he wrote about in his 2001 book Routing the Golf Course. "The idea for a par-2 had always been to creatively use small spaces," he says. "Until now it has never presented itself, at least not on a site where it fit the routing." At Mountain Shadows the par-2 has affectionately been named 'The Praying Monk' after the prominent rock formation that towers above the resort. Players arrive at the 'tees' which are set to include green surface and an area of apron. The choice is either to putt or bump the tee shot down a cascading green that measures 120-feet in length. The format for the par-2 is up the golfer, whether to settle bets or continue a betting game.

The 18th hole spills into the new resort, culminating to a new concept called 'The Golf Lounge' where players will find innovative twists on golf management. The Golf Lounge concept, according to the developers, speaks to a new generation of golfers by embracing technology and melding the golf experience with food, beverage and the resort lifestyle. Among the innovations being considered are paying for green fees and purchasing balls from the lounge bar, and being shown to the tee by one of the grill staff on the patio overlooking the opening hole. A large putting green has been integrated to the resort courtyard just off the Golf Lounge.

The course is being constructed by Landscapes Unlimited and will be maintained by their sister entity Landscapes Unlimited Golf Services. Current plans are to open the course along with the new resort in February 2017.

http://www.golfgroupltd.com/mountain_shadows.html

http://westroc.com/collection/mountain-shadows/