Gray Hawk Raptor – Hole by Hole
In my last hole by hole from Royal Birkdale I promised that the next review would be two time Ryder Cup host, the Brabazon course at The Belfry. While I did play the Brabazon course it was so wet that pull carts were not even allowed out and it was the first time in at least twenty years that I had to carry my clubs. Needless to say the conditions were less than ideal for photographs and a proper course assessment, so instead I’m reviewing a course where rain is a rarity and sunshine the rule. Please join me as I play the amazing Raptor course at Gray Hawk in Scottsdale, Arizona.
History of Gray Hawk
After multiple reviews of courses in northwest England that all have a history that goes back well over a century and associations with some of the greatest names in golf, it might seem somewhat presumptuous to describe Gray Hawk which opened only in 1994, as having a ‘history’. That would be a mistake as, despite its youth, Gray Hawk does indeed have an illustrious list of professional and amateur tournaments with some big name winners.
There are two courses at Gray Hawk, the Talon course designed by U.S. Open champ David Graham and golf architect Gary Panks and the Raptor course, designed by World Golf Hall of Fame architect Tom Fazio. It is the Raptor course I will be playing today. Just outside the pro shop you see this display from the 2021-23 NCAA Championships and note that Rose Zhang became the first person to win the title twice. She then went on to win her very first LPGA tour event, a feat that had not been accomplished since 1951.
The first professional tournament at Gray Hawk was the World Match Play Championship 1n 1995. It returned in 1997 when Greg Norman triumphed and in 1998 when Colin Montgomerie held off Davis Love III on the Raptor course. Tiger Woods held his first foundation event at Gray Hawk in 2000 when Tom Lehman edged David Duval in the Williams World Challenge. The PGA Frys.com event was held here from 2007-2009 with compatriot Mike Weir taking home the trophy in 2007 for his final win on the tour.
While no PGA events have been held at Gray Hawk for a number of years, it is still a magnet for some of the best players in the game who participate in the Johnnie O Twin Fin tournament every year since 2001. The list of winners below include Fred Couples, Tom Lehman, Kevin Streelman and many other tour pros.
And then there’s the Keepers of the Coconut who include Fred Couples, Tom Lehman and the always entertaining Gary McCord.
In the men’s locker room there is a display of autographed Ryder Cup flags, including the one from 2001 match at The Belfry.
Many of the best players in the world reside in the Scottsdale area and Gray Hawk is one of their preferred places to play when not on tour. None has been more identified with Gray Hawk than Phil Mickelson who has been the PGA Tour Ambassador for the club since its opening. Phil’s Grill is named for him and contains memorabilia from his illustrious career. So don’t be surprised if you see some recognizable faces at some point during your visit to Gray Hawk.
During my visit to England I commented on the modesty of the pro shops there, some not much larger than a two car garage. Gray Hawk is the opposite with everything on a grand scale that is a feature of American clubs. Hats, you want hats. How about this selection?
The same applies to shirts and any other golf paraphernalia you might desire. It’s all here.
The excellence at Gray Hawk continues with the warm up facilities.
And the putting green.
But we’re here to play golf and not just to shop or warm up so let’s hit the Raptor course at Gray Hawk.
Raptor No. 1 Tom-a-Hawk – 353 Yard Par Four
While the Raptor Course is 7,221 yards from the tips, I will be playing from the much more modest Terra Cotta tee boxes at 6,040 yards which is plenty for someone my age.
The first thing you notice at Gray Hawk are the immaculate tee boxes which look like you’re the first group to play from them.
That conditioning continues with the fairways which, despite being recently overseeded, are as nice as any I have ever played. The Bermuda grass has been overseeded with rye which tolerates the cooler temperatures of the late fall and winter months. They are also quite generous so that if you can keep hitting them you’ll never get a bad lie. Between the fairway and the desert is a band of grass that technically is ‘rough’, but on many courses would be called fairway.
On this first par four the only danger is the trap on the left that can be reached with a decent drive. Stay well right and you should have something like this for your approach shot.
The greens on the Raptor Course at Gray Hawk are mostly huge and receptive compared to the links courses I have been playing in England. They are not so contoured as to be difficult to read and while fast, not insanely so. I had the definite feeling while putting the greens at the Raptor Course that the greenskeeper did not want to make the experience anywhere near as difficult as it could be. The biggest obstacle is three putts from 40 feet or more. Inside that and two putts or better should be the norm.
Tom-a-Hawk is a great starting hole.
Raptor No. 2 Hide-A-Way – 336 Yard Par Four
This hole demands a drive down the left side towards the traps which are out of reach for me. That will give a much better angle to one of the smaller greens on the Raptor course, but with only a short iron in. This is the first of the few birdie opportunities on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk.
Raptor No. 3 Kiss ‘n Tell – 392 Yard Par Four
Unlike many desert courses, the Raptor course at Gray Hawk does not demand monster drives to reach the fairway. This is a dogleg right with a ton of room to the left. Big hitters might challenge the right side bunkers, but for me the safe drive is get as far away from them as possible leaving this look for the approach.
One of the strengths of the Raptor course at Gray Hawk is the fact that every hole is distinct and not bounded by other holes. You see only the hole you are playing. Also the houses you see on this hole are the exception. On most holes there are no unnecessary distractions.
This is the toughest par four on the front and bogey is no disgrace.
Raptor No. 4 Peak-a-Boo – 500 Yard Par Five
The first par five on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk is the toughest on the front nine, but a decent drive to another huge fairway gets one off to a good start. The fairway narrows considerably for the second shot, but a well controlled wood should leave this third to a severely elevated green. Distance control is mandatory here as anything long, short, left or right will spell bogey or worse. This is actually a much tougher shot than the photo would suggest. However, if you do nail the approach then a birdie putt is the reward.
Raptor No. 5 Hand Full – 170 Yard Par Three
The first par three at the Raptor course at Gray Hawk is not really the hand full the hole name would imply. It does require a little more club than the length would suggest due to the slightly elevated green, but landing on or just short of the green should yield a two putt par or better.
By this point on the course you will undoubtedly have encountered plenty of avian wildlife, certainly coveys of Gambel’s quail and Inca doves. While these are interesting, the first road runner is always exciting for easterners who have often only encountered this bird in the Warner Bros. cartoon.
There is also the distinct possibility of seeing road runner’s nemesis, Wile. E. Coyote. We saw several, but didn’t get a chance for a photo.
Raptor No. 6 Horace Greeley – 312 Yard Par Four
Most of the holes on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk have whimsical names, but this one is different. Greeley of course was the famous newspaper editor who is credited with being the first to give the advice “Go west, young man”. The entire quote is even more interesting because a lot of people would say it applies as much today as it did then.
Washington [D.C.] is not a place to live in. The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country.
Although not long, this hole presents a bit of a dilemma on the drive. There is a ton of room to the right, but that requires a second shot over the huge bunker to reach the green. A drive that goes left brings the fairway bunker into play and the trees on the second.
If you do pull off the perfect drive this is what remains; a short iron to an elevated green that is one of the smallest on the Raptor course.
Raptor No. 7 Caddywampus – 443 Yard Par 5
Caddywampus is an Indigenous female spirit in the form of a cougar like cat that terrorizes local villages. Originally a Cherokee myth, it has migrated west, following the advice of Horace Greeley I guess.
Will this hole terrorize the average golfer? Not if you play it as a three shot hole and forego the driver for a couple of woods. That should take out the fairway bunker on the right and skirt the trouble caused by the fairway narrowing at about 230 yards from the tee.
Accomplish that and it should leave this quite doable third shot. All the trouble is in front so don’t be afraid to to take a little more club and Caddywampus won’t be the terror it could be.
Raptor No. 8 Aces & Eights – 149 Yard Par Three
This is absolutely one of the most beautiful par threes I have ever played. The full measure of the Sonoran Desert is on display with the green tucked into a bowl that demands precision off the tee. There is no pin placement on this hole that will not require clearing that massive bunker guarding the front so pick your 150 club and go right at it.
If you should fail, the bunkers at the Raptor course at Gray Hawk have very fine sand with a solid base about half an inch deep so you can give your ball perhaps a little more whump than in some other courses. The most important thing is that these bunkers are very consistent from hole to hole so that once you get the hang of getting out, they are not as debilitating as they might at first glance, appear to be.
BTW Aces & eights is known as the Dead Man’s Hand in poker and was allegedly what Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall in Deadwood in 1876.
Raptor No. 9 Tom’s Thumb – 394 Yard Par Four
Another gorgeous looking par four closes out the front nine on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk. It’s a dogleg right that requires a good drive. Only an idiot would try to shorten this hole by taking on the two fairway bunkers on the right.
A 200 yard + drive leaves this approach to another elevated green that has a protective berm at the back that will prevent overly aggressive shots from going over. The only thing not to do on the second shot is go left. Short, long or right still keep par in the equation.
Raptor No. 10 Quill Creek – 331 Yard Par Four
This photo does not do justice to one of the two holes on the Raptor Course at Gray Hawk where water comes into play. Quill Creek runs down the right side of the fairway for about 200 yards and then cuts diagonally across the fairway so at some point it needs to be crossed. The good news is that there is plenty of room for a straight drive that will not reach the creek.
For some reason I forgot to take the approach shot photo and have borrowed this one from the Gray Hawk website. Quill Creek is now guarding the entire left side of the green and bunkers on the right make this a demanding approach shot and one of the most memorable on the Raptor course. If it were not for #8 and #18 this would be a signature hole at any other course.
Raptor No. 11 Sunset Grill – 510 Yard Par Five
No. 11 is rated the toughest hole on the Raptor Course at Gray Hawk and from the Terra Cotta tees is definitely a three shot hole. Once you accept that, there is no need to try to bull your way to the green in two. That said, given the length compared to #7, driver is probably the best choice for the first shot. While the fairway is not as generous as many holes here, there is still plenty of room to avoid the reachable bunkers on the right.
After the drive, a five wood or hybrid should leave something like this for the approach shot to a green that slants right to left requiring toying with the right side bunkers in order to avoid rolling into the left side bunker. The hole gets its difficulty not so much from its length, but this difficult third shot.
Raptor No. 12 Mountain Lion – 416 Yard Par Four
The only true blind tee shot on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk requires perhaps the longest drive of the day to reach the crest of the hill and get the roll necessary to have any chance of reaching this green in regulation. Fortunately the fairway is so wide that a grip it and rip it drive will only get in trouble if it strays too far left.
Ok, you’ve hit your longest drive of the day and the reward is this sucker pin placement. Common sense should prevail, but even hitting for the middle of the green the ball will roll away from the hole leaving a very long two putt. Rated the #5 hole on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk, I found this the most difficult.
Raptor No. 13 Burning Bush – 183 Yard Par Three
This is the fourth consecutive hole on the back nine on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk that is rated on the more difficult side. Burning Bush is the #7 rated hole and is by far the most challenging par three. It plays uphill to a true yardage that is close to 200 so don’t be embarrassed to hit a driver here. Most people probably won’t, with the result that the ball will roll away from the green no matter where it lands. One of the few par threes you will play where bogey is not considered a bad result.
Raptor No. 14 Serenity – 371 Yard Par Four
There is a sense of serenity reaching the tee on #14 after the tough grind of the last four holes. This is not only another beautiful par four, but the good news is that you can’t reach the bunkers on the far side of the fairway. There’s no excuse for getting into trouble off the tee.
The approach on #14 requires a precision second that must avoid bunkers at the front, back and right sides. The solution is to take enough club to clear the front bunker and stay well left for a chance to two putt for a par.
Raptor No. 15 High Point – 374 Yard Par Four
The Raptor course at Gray Hawk presents yet another feast for the golfing eyes at No. 15. This is about the longest carry from tee to fairway from the Terra Cotta tees, but it should present no problem for most golfers. The bunkers on the left side of the hole are reachable with a good drive, but staying to the right side of the will leave a fairly long approach shot to the green.
Raptor No. 16 Wee One – 97 Yard Par Three
Wee one is the right name for this chip shot par three to a crowned green that is the real challenge to this hole. Even so, it is wedge of some sort and short be an easy par on this easiest hole on the Raptor course at Gray Hawk.
Raptor No. 17 Bagger Pass – 275 Yard Par Four
The shortest par three is followed by the shortest par four. No reason to take a driver on this hole. A wood or hybrid will leave a very short pitch to one of the largest greens on the course. On the other hand a well struck drive with the big stick will present a real birdie opportunity.
Raptor No. 18 Big Sky – 430 Yard Par Five
The finale at the Raptor course at Gray Hawk is spectacular. Not only is a beautiful hole to look at, it presents several different ways to tackle it. Since most golfers playing from the Terra Cotta tees won’t be able to reach it in two then the challenge is to make sure you end with a par. The water is not reachable from the tee, but the fairway bunker definitely is. Using a wood or even a hybrid makes sense. However, if you are up to it, a strong drive toward the water leaves the possibility of getting close to the green in two and bringing birdie into play.
I chose the three shot approach, coming up just short of the bunker and leaving this second shot. From here the the fairway opens up past the bunker allowing for a wood on the second shot.
This then is the final approach to this magnificent hole. The water is still a very real danger as the green slants left to right and you need to stay well left of the flag while avoiding the green side bunker. Those who opted for the driver and then crossed a portion of the water will be much closer, assuming they did pull off two great shots.
Not matter what strategy you use on 18 this will be a hole you will remember for a very long time and a very fitting end to the round at this great course at Gray Hawk.
In the next post I’ll play another of the must plat courses in Scottsdale, the Saguaro course at We-ko-pa. Please join me for round of great desert golf.