Golf Digest named two Arizona golf courses to its 2017 release of the “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” list. 

Though some may claim that baseball is America’s favourite pastime, it can be argued that golf is definitely up there when it comes to favoritism. The popularity of the sport has rocketed skyward and the demand for exceptional golf courses have also heightened.

However, with success, comes a downside. The higher the popularity and fame that these courses receive, the larger the expectations are to reach. The demanding standards of frequent goers and newcomers, though it brings great business to the course, increase.

Arizona has found a way to take the good business and turn it into constructive criticism, being home to two of the courses on the list. One of the courses, recently made the list for the first time, and for certain are not going to let their service fall anymore after achieving the prestigious honor.

Arizona’s very own Quintero Golf Course in Peoria and Fort McDowell’s We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Golf Course have broken the top 100 list for our nation’s greatest golf courses.

Quintero ranks at No. 86, placed right beside Highway 74, nestled nearby Lake Pleasant. This course is constructed with variety and pride in the topography. For instance, on the same course, one can be digging out their ball out of the Sonoran desert, or can find themselves surrounded by mountain ridges.

No. 98, Fort McDowell’s golf course is designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to establish a desert setting. Upon their course, one can find elevated tee pads, fairways along desert washes and greens which are specifically shaped to adhere to the them.

Number one on the top 100 list is located in the sunny setting of California on Pebble Beach.