McDowell Mountain Golf Club

Getting To Know: McDowell Mountain Golf Club

An Insightful Interview With Kevin Neel, Head Golf Professional

By Brian Weis

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Kevin Neel who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, has become one of the premier public golf courses in the Valley. Built on the foothills of Scottsdale's McDowell Mountains and adjacent to the nationally recognized Westworld equestrian center, this outstanding Scottsdale golf course now stretches to a 7,072-yards and delivers a stunning Scottsdale golf experiences that will keep you coming back for more.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Our golf course and clubhouse have some of the best views in the entire Valley. We are always in great shape and we are the best value in North Scottsdale.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
There are many challenges off the tee and an emphasis is put on executing solid tee shots. Playing conservative off the tee will usually give most players the best chance to make par on this golf course.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
We are most proud of our new owners. From course renovations to a newly built clubhouse, they spared no expense in creating first class facilities for our guests.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Number 14, our shortest par 3 has to win the honors. The backdrop of this gem provides scene views of the McDowell Mountains.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole is number 18. Playing 508 uphill and usually into the wind, this hole depands a long carry on the tee shot. With out of bounds left and right, as well as protected by bunkers, this is a stern test of golf. Par on this hole is a great score! Best way to play this hole is playing a fade off the tee, which usually leaves a long iron or fairway wood depending on the wind. The second shot also favors a cut. You do not want to miss the ball right on any shot.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Our wide variety makes it hard to choose a favorite. From our craft beers to our savory Southwestern inspired cuisine, you cannot go wrong!

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Kendall Critchfield and he shot a 62 from the tips with a bogey on the last hole!

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 7072
Slope: 137
Rating: 73.3

More Information
McDowell Mountain Golf Club
10690 East Sheena Dr
Scottsdale, AZ, 85255
480-502-8200
www.mcdowellmountaingc.com

Revised: 09/19/2013 - Article Viewed 31,877 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.