The Kokopelli Golf Stance

6620 Yds, Par 71, Slope 120, by Brian Whitcomb

They Say: "Golfers are sure to enjoy the variety of holes at the course at MountainBrook Golf Club as well as the white crushed marble sand in bunkers, undulating greens, and beautiful views. You will also be pleased to know that we offer a six acre world class, custom practice facility. Dramatic views of the desert hills and massive Superstition Mountains frame the course and clubhouse. A modern desert mountain golf course design, MountainBrook also features a full-service clubhouse and restaurant. We encourage group play, league golf, corporate golf outings, and numerous tournament events."

We played here on an incredible deal: a free round on your birthday -- both Mr Science & I -- we sorta had to resort to subterfuge to get us both into the same 4some with free rounds, but we felt it did not violate our Calvinistic Golf Principles, at all.

We were a little excited about the course, designed by Whitcomb, as I have dubbed him "a genious of affordable, fun golf", based on the back 9s at the 500 Club and Johnson Ranch . . . in some ways I think his courses are too easy, but OTOH, it might be the interest he instills in his shot values keeps me focussed and my attention doesn't wander, leading to dropped shots . . . ya think? . . . indeed, I shot 39-45=84, with no birdies, while Mr Science carded 36-44=80 with 2 birdies. Even tho' I was expecting the back9 to be more interesting than the front9, I didn't expect we would both shoot higher, so maybe it was harder, too. Mr Science blames most of his scoring bloat on unseen hazards, like a water hazard hidden in the inside of a dogleg at just the right distance.

That was an interesting stretch there . . . #11, 12, & 13, where Mr Science claimed he set a personal best for most holes-in-a-row-in-the-water . . . 8^D. . . the aforementioned invisible hazard on #11, followed by a blocked iron tee shot on #12 into the water, followed by a pulled line drive on #13 that smacked of irritation, if I didn't know Mr Science so well -- nothing bothers him, usually . . .

I was 3 over on the par 5s, mostly due to a very poor short game and indifferent putting; and 2over on the par 3s. I just kept missing my putts by a smidge, as measured by the QOG.

#8 especially, on the front9, was a very interesting hole, with large mounds that intruded into the fairway from the side to block our view of the fairway & green . . . there's not too much elevation change in the layout, but there is enough to provide variety & interest, and I think the whole 18, not just a 9, is very well done.