Grand Canyon University Golf Course

5902 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix,Arizona,85033

Type: Public

No. Holes: 18

Phone:

(623) 846-4022

Website:

http://www.gcu.edu

Architect:

John Fought (24)William F. Bell (87)

Detailed description

Grand Canyon University Golf Course, previously named Maryvale Municipal Golf Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in west Phoenix, Arizona.

Maryvale Golf Course first opened for play in 1961. The course was designed by William F. Bell. Bell designed San Diego's fabled Torrey Pines.

Maryvale Golf Course played to a par-72 and a maximum distance of 6,646 yards for a course rating of 70.7 and a slope rating of 120. The forward tees play to 5,664 yards and a course rating of 71.5 and a slope rating of 113.

The course closed in the spring of 2015 for an $8 million dollar renovation.

The 54-year-old municipal facility – it's owned by the City of Phoenix –was closed for a significant renovation, and reopened in December 2015 with an entirely new identity. It is now the home course of Grand Canyon University's golf teams. Grand Canyon's campus is only a few miles away.

Grand Canyon,funded the $8 million facelift as part of a 30-year agreement with the city. The University got to rename the course and will manage the course and pay all its operating costs.

The renovation was done by Scottsdale-based course architect John Fought.

The renovation was all-encompassing – it entailed a complete renovation as Fought transformed the course from a 6,600-yard par 72 to a 7,200-yard par 71.

Among the most notable of Fought's upgrades are elevating the greens, adding some undulation to the flat fairways and rebuilding – and sometimes relocating – the course's 80 bunkers. The original routing by William F. Bell was retained.

Green fees, which are set by the City of Phoenix, remained unchanged (from $16 to $30), and GCU plans to launch an extensive youth program at the course.

The intent is to make Grand Canyon University Golf Course a tremendous community and university asset.

Nearby Golf Courses

Glen Lakes Municipal Golf Course, CLOSED 20184.04miles

Desert Mirage Golf Course4.07miles

Topgolf Glendale5.22miles

Villa De Paz Golf Course, CLOSED 20135.43miles

Encanto Nine Golf Course5.49miles

Encanto Park Golf Course5.70miles

Palo Verde Golf Course6.00miles

El Caro Golf Club, CLOSED 20076.33miles

Phoenix Country Club7.17miles

Peoria Pines Golf Course7.20miles

Reviews

This course has been reviewed 9 time

This is a gem. I’ll be back a bunch of times. Put in monthly rotation. Plays like a private club.

F Smith

Scottsdale,AZ

March 24, 2018

I love this course. Greens are not as fast as in the spring time, but still very good.

John Johnson

Phoenix,AZ

January 1, 2017

Very nice course. The renovation was top notch.

Chuck Hunter

Loveland,CO

May 22, 2016

Maryvale GC, now known as the Grand Canyon University course after a complete overhaul, is nothing like it was for the past decade+. Formerly a flat, open course with mature trees, it has been toughened up considerably, not the least of which was adding another 500 yards to now stretch it out to over 7200 yards from the tips. An old William Bell design (Papago and Torrey Pines are other courses in his portfolio), it has been refreshed by adding many bunkers (which are excellent) which frame the shots very nicely. Considerable dirt was moved and there is now a lot of movement and vertical in the fairways and many greens have been built up slightly. Most of the mature trees have been retained so it still has a parkland feel. Maybe the most interesting change is the putting surfaces. They put in Champion Bermuda, a relatively new "ultradwarf" Bermuda with fine texture compared to more traditional Bermuda. It has not been overseeded and is a very fast (probably running about 11+ right now), extremely true putting surface. A brand new restaurant and pro shop was added that is likewise very well done. A new must-play in Phoenix, especially with the reasonable pricing. Only complaint I had was the pace of play, and I will be back!

Thomas Klabunde

Tempe,AZ

January 25, 2016

Fun, "old style" course - trees, grass & some water, no desert! Rather flat compared to other PHX muny courses, though we walk all of them. A bit tighter fairways than many PHX area courses and caution due to opposing fairways with our slices & hooks. But overall was pleasant and completed the round in under 4 hours (started at 0900). We tend to play the PHX municipal courses since they're walk-able, good condition and very reasonably priced, especially for the winter months.

Bill Hipple

Phoenix,AZ

January 24, 2012

Older, flat Phoenix municipal course. Relatively straight forward but with some water, doglegs, trees. Good greens and adequate other conditions.

Ken Strachan

Phoenix,AZ

February 13, 2010

Flat, but otherwise an interesting variety of holes, and the price is right. Not difficult, but there are ways to get into trouble. Real trees, not something you usually find in this area.

John O'Connell

Scottsdale,AZ

March 23, 2009

Overseeding near completion

bil criteser

El Mirage,AZ

October 31, 2008

A fine course for a casual round on a sunny Sunday afternoon and you can walk this course comfortably which only adds to the golf experience. Being a muni you will run into the usual hazards, the slow play duffers/hackers (is that my ball?)or the speedsters who think of golf as a racecourse ( I try to play 9 in an hour)these guys are always behind you and will be chomping at the bit on that next par 3. Maryvale has generous fairways that go left and right that creates more interest for the seasoned golfer requiring more fades and draws, most fairways are tree lined which gives some character to a relatively flat layout and requires more creativity on that second shot if you are off the fairway. Depending on his mood the pin placements can be generous or demanding- play from the blues if you have game (less than a 10 handicap) otherwise enjoy the day and play from the whites- far too many of the weekend players' reach does not exceed their grasp. Late afternoon is an ideal time to play as the trees create shadows that break up the blazing sun. Have fun- play Maryvale!

tom boyle

Phoenix,AZ

March 1, 2008