Camelback Inn - Where Time Stands Still

- Camelback is a Southwestern resort set on 125 acres of naturally-landscaped desert, at the base of Mummy Mountain overlooking Cambelback Mountain. And the list of awards this resort has collected could take up a whole article. That's how good it is.

Just a few though include Mobil travel Guide's Five Star Award for 27 consecutive years and AAA's Five Diamond Award for 20 years, Successful Meeting Pinnacle Award for 11 consecutive year and Meetings and Conventions Gold Key Award 16 times. Then there's Golf for Women's Most Women Friendly Course and Links magazine Best of Golf award and on and on. No wonder Camelback is recognized as one of the most award-winning resorts in North America.

And it's no wonder too that celebrities have frequented this course over the years since it first opened in 1936 (in those days a deluxe room cost $18-$25/night). Just some of these celebrities include Dwight D. Eisenhower, Robert Young, Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, J.C. Penney and Jimmy Stewart.

Today, the resort is still a popular retreat for the stars, attracting the likes of Dick Van Dyke, Johnny Carson, Gene Hackman, Reba McEntire, Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Lewis and Don Shula.

J. Willard Marriott Snr. and his wife vacationed here for many years and became so enchanted with the resort that they finally bought the property in 1967. Bill Marriott Jr. Chairman of the Board and President of Marriott Corporation and his family still vacation here every year.

In fact, Camelback Inn was Marriott's first resort and launched the corporation's resort network which now includes 22 resorts.

So what’s the attraction? Not one but two outstanding golf courses.

The 6,559 yard par 71 Padre course, designed by Red Lawrence in 1971, is lined with mature pine and eucalyptus trees, rolling fairways and bursts of colorful gardens. The classic designed greens are modestly bunkered and set like elevated stages at the end of each fairway. The strong player will have to work the ball, bending it left and right to score well. Those mature stands of pine and eucalyptus menace the wayward hitter. Careless approach shots to the mostly medium-sized elevated green often are punished via an oversized oval of sand. For the beginning or average player, run-up possibilities abound without any intimidating long tee-shot carries. Thus at Padre, the game can be played on the ground or in the air, much as the Scots themselves intended.

The 7014 yard, par 72 Indian Bend course, which is laid out in links-style in a verdant natural wash, with nine holes out and nine coming back to the clubhouse, will delightfully intrigue the most discriminating player and is perhaps better suited to power hitters. It's a treat, nonetheless, for less-talented players because of the fairness and balance of the design. Towering palm trees predominate, but they mingle nicely with liberal scatterings of pine. Dozens of yawning sand traps await the unwary. Designed by Jack Snyder in 1978, the Indian Bend features secluded sand traps, gently rolling terrain, an abundance of water holes and magnificent mountain vistas as a backdrop. Both the Padre and India Bend courses are scenic, well-maintained and challenging resort courses with grace and subtlety.

While neither course rivals the toughest or more memorable course in the Southwest, that is not the point. What is significant is they can be enjoyed by every class of player.

Unusually, while most golf courses have one golf pro on hand, Camelback has 20, eager to help improve the golfer's game with individual or group instruction.

Service includes club and shoe rental, a driving range, putting greens and chipping areas and once the guest has finished playing, their clubs are carefully cleaned while a pro visits with them about their game. The cart is then washed and prepared for the next game.

Facilities include clubhouse restaurant and pro shop. When not golfing, the visitor can enjoy six tennis courts--five illuminated for night play, three outdoor swimming pools, whirlpools, children's playground, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, shuffleboard, 9-hole pitch and putt course, mountain biking trails and bike rental.

Outside the resort, there is shopping in Old Scottsdale, horseback riding, desert jeep tours, hot air ballooning, river float trips, Heard Museum, Phoenix Zoo, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Arizona State University, the Grand Canyon (five hours drive away), Sedona and any of the 17 Native American tribe reservations across Arizona.

Camelback has Stay and Play Golf Packages. With 330 days of sunshine in this area, any time of the year would be good to visit.

Website: http://www.camelbackinn.com/arizona-golf-resort/