
Arizona · Course 1
Cholla Course
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Yards
- 7225
- Est.
- 2001
A stunning desert course offering breathtaking views and challenging play, designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape.

Arizona
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club delivers one of Arizona’s purest public desert golf experiences, with two award-winning courses set in open Sonoran Desert terrain near Scottsdale. With no homes, roads, or commercial development lining the fairways, the property feels more natural and secluded than many resort-style Scottsdale golf stops.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club has two public courses with distinctly different styles. Saguaro is the walkable Coore and Crenshaw design, with wider corridors and more ways to use the ground. Cholla is Scott Miller’s target-style desert course, using ridges, arroyos and elevation changes to create a more demanding visual test. Our We-Ko-Pa golf trip planning guide compares the courses and explains where to stay and how many nights to plan.
Swipe to view all 2 courses
A We-Ko-Pa golf trip can be built around one round on Saguaro and one on Cholla, with lodging at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort or a Scottsdale base. The complete We-Ko-Pa planning guide covers the tradeoffs between staying close to the courses and staying nearer Scottsdale dining and other JEL destinations.
From $1,595 per golfer
Play both We-Ko-Pa courses — Saguaro and Cholla — while staying at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort or a nearby Scottsdale-area resort.
All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.
From $2,195 per golfer
Build a premium Scottsdale-area itinerary around We-Ko-Pa, with optional rounds at Troon North, Grayhawk, Talking Stick, TPC Scottsdale, or other desert standouts.
All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

We-Ko-Pa is a must-play for groups that want Scottsdale-area golf without the real-estate corridors. The Saguaro Course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw is a walkable, minimalist desert layout shaped around the native land, while the Cholla Course by Scott Miller offers a bolder target-golf experience with elevated shots, desert ridges, and huge mountain views. Pair both with nearby We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, Scottsdale dining, spring training, and other top desert courses, and it becomes one of the easiest high-quality Arizona golf trips to build.
The most convenient stay is We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, located close to the golf club with casino gaming, dining, pools, spa amenities, and desert views. Groups can also stay in Scottsdale resorts or vacation rentals if they want more nightlife and restaurant access.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is built around a pure desert golf experience with two championship courses, a strong practice setup, clubhouse dining, golf shop, group golf services, and close access to We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.
Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.
Swipe to view more stays
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is in Fort McDowell, northeast of Scottsdale. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the main arrival airport, typically about 30–35 minutes away by car depending on traffic, and Old Town Scottsdale is roughly 20–30 minutes away.
November through April is the most dependable window for comfortable golf at We-Ko-Pa. October can work, but fall overseeding and transition dates should be checked before booking; late spring and summer bring substantially hotter conditions.
Best for buddies trips, public-golf purists, winter golf escapes, and groups that want a quieter Sonoran Desert setting near Scottsdale.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club has two 18-hole public courses: Saguaro and Cholla.
The Saguaro Course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, while the Cholla Course was designed by Scott Miller.
The biggest difference is the setting. We-Ko-Pa has no homes, roads, or commercial development surrounding the courses, so the golf feels more natural and isolated in the Sonoran Desert.
Saguaro is often favored by architecture fans because of its walkable Coore & Crenshaw routing and natural ground-game design. Cholla is more dramatic and target-oriented, with elevated shots, desert carries, and big scenery.
Yes, especially Saguaro, which was designed with a more traditional walking-friendly routing. Many Arizona groups still ride because of heat, pace, and resort-style trip logistics.
Yes. We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is the closest lodging option and is commonly used for stay-and-play style trips. Scottsdale hotels and vacation rentals are also easy options.
November through April is the most dependable season for comfortable golf at We-Ko-Pa. October can also work, but groups should confirm the current overseeding and reopening schedule before choosing dates.
We-Ko-Pa is usually about 30–35 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by car, depending on traffic.
East Toh Vee Circle, Maricopa, Arizona 85264, United States
© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors
Open in MapsShare your dates, group size, and the courses you have in mind — we'll reply within 48 hours with a tailored itinerary and secured tee times.