Paul Connelly

Review of Ocotillo Golf Resort

I've been in S. Chandler for 20+ years and have pl...

I've been in S. Chandler for 20+ years and have played well over 300-rounds at this course. Ocotillo has always been one of my FAVORITES - not the most challenging, but ultra convenientt for a Chandler resident and always in GREAT shape. Troon did a great job (as always) managing the overall club, but the course could always be counted on as REALLY GOOD. Since this management take over (Phil's company) the course has consistently gone DOWN HILL - to currently being at its absolute lowest point in its history. The course is basically in TERRIBLE shape. It is so disappointing to see the course like this; the fairways are essentially GONE. The course kind of 'looks' green, but it really does not matter where you hit your t-shot, you will not have a good lie - the grass is DEAD - -literally crispy and hard pan in the MAJORITY of the fairways. The t-boxes... again, so said to see Ocotillo in this shape - they are bad, like never before. Uneven for one, but torn up and basically destroyed on many. Scalping turf from a t-box (#5 on Gold) has NEVER happened - but its the case now. Greens... not TERRIBLE, but certainly not "Ocotillo greens'. To see large parts of greens DEAD, hard pan, and just unattended.... sad! If the fairways and t- boxes are any indication of what is to come - I expect the greens to be wasted away in no-time. Bunkers... really? How much is SAND??? How do you NOT have ANY sand in the bunkers - for months?!!? Just bad.... the staff should go to The Legacy for a lesson in how a course should be kept and managed. I have to assume there was a HUGE turn-over in key personnel with the management change. Most of the long-time personnel (course, pro-shop, restaurants / bar - all gone -- I'm sure because they were making 'too much money' and this new management is eager to show much more 'profit' can be taken. NEWSFLASH -- you will lose ALL OF YOUR CLIENTEL and eventually lose the course. Whoever the Superintendent / Greens keeper are - they need to be FIRED, seriously. Putting mats on driving range....? Really? Does Phil like to practice off mats? There are city courses that Make Ocotillo look bad right now. Phil (or delegate) -- TAKE ACTION, PLEASE! Ocotillo Golf Course is a mainstay for Chandler residents, its going down the tubes at an ALARMING RATE.