AZ Golf Guides

NORTHERN AZ

Elephant Rocks Golf Course

WILLIAMS

Elephant Rocks Golf Rocks is Northern Arizona's gathering place for public golf. Stretched through stands of ponderosa pines on the outskirts of the town of Williams, the 18-hole golf course invites an affordable day of golf in high country. This setting, 30 miles west of Flagstaff on Interstate 40, mixes old with new at the foot of Bill Williams Mountain.

The original malapai stone clubhouse was built in 1932 by railway workers and members of the original Williams Country Club. Basically unchanged, the clubhouse contributes to the rustic appeal of this homey, laidback golf facility within a growing community. Named for the unusual natural rock formations at the entrance to the club, Elephant Rocks presents a relaxing and challenging layout by Gary Panks. Fairways stretching a moderate 6,700 yards wind through the pines and break out into clearings for an open view of the tranquil natural surrounding.

People began playing golf in Williams in the late 1920s, but the experience was nothing remotely close to the 18 grassed fairways and bentgrass greens Panks finalized in 2000.

The City of Williams owns and operates Elephant Rocks. PGA professional John McCahan and course superintendent Marty Yerian oversee operations and maintain the course at a remarkable playing level. McCahan reports that since the second nine opened in 2000, the course continues to attract and impress highcaliber golfers. According to McCahan, low handicappers will typically check the scorecard at 6,700 yards and head for the blue tees, only to show up a few hours later, humbled by everything that waits between tee and green.

Guests quickly discover that Elephant Rocks is a romp through tight tree-lined fairways where the actual yardage can be a moot issue if the next shot is from behind a towering ponderosa. McCahan is correct to emphasize accuracy and strategy. Still, Panks' design allows golfers their own style of play and comfort level, but many of the challenges are the same for everyone. Panks invariably staggers the difficulty, posing blatant challenges on one hole, while sublimely disguising the trouble style on the next. While the 416-yard Number 7 on this layout is bunker-free, it is by no means a complacent par 4. There is generally a prevailing wind and the narrow green is a difficult target.

In addition to the forest, three of the four par 3s play over water and all are well bunkered. At only 150 yards, Number 12 plays to a daunting peninsula-green with a traditional-style high-lipped bunker directly in front. At Number 14, the water runs the full 212 yards down the right side. Water is in play to some degree on three other holes as well. The round builds to the final thrill and challenges that come with the terrain on the final three holes. The Number 16 plays directly uphill 404 yards, dodging a tree or two along the way. The 518-yard par--5 Number 17 negotiates the hillside through undulating peaks and valleys to an elevated green. Number 18, a dramatic 212-yard par 3, finishes at the bottom of the hill 100 feet below the blue markers.

The Grand Canyon Railway is another top attraction in Williams. One suggestion is to plan an outing to Williams that includes both a round on this amiable golf course and a fun-filled scenic train ride to the Grand Canyon's south rim.

DAVID HUBBARD