Seven Canyons golf adds to the prestigious offerings at Enchantment Resort
Always a premier choice for a comfortably elegant, active relaxation experience, Enchantment Resort now offers an exclusive golf opportunity for its’ guests at the private Seven Canyons course.
Since 1987, Enchantment Resort has welcomed visitors from around the world, providing a luxurious blend of service, amenities, and activities in the spectacular setting of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon in the temperate Arizona high desert. The addition of guest access to the award-winning Seven Canyons golf course, designed by Tom Weiskopf, demonstrates Enchantment Resort’s dedication to exceeding expectations.
“Golf at Seven Canyons really complements the overall experience at Enchantment,” said Babs Harrison, Director of Communications for Enchantment Group. “Adding a world-class golf course to everything the resort already offers gives our guests another reason to visit.”
Previously, in 2001, as part of Enchantment’s commitment to exceeding the expectations of its guests, destination spa Mii amo opened on the resort grounds. Mii amo, featuring 16 rooms dedicated to spa guests and offering unique restorative treatments, has twice earned Travel+Leisure’s “World’s Best Spa” award and global recognition for the skill of its therapists.
Then, in 2013, Seven Canyons, a nearby private course in Sedona previously available only to members, came under the same management as the resort. Now, Enchantment Resort and Mii amo guests also have playing privileges on the picturesque Weiskopf layout. Weiskopf, winner of more than 25 professional tournaments worldwide, including the 1973 British Open and 1995 U.S. Senior Open, utilized the natural elements of the Coconino National Forest and Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness on the par-70, 6,746-yard course.
At an elevation of 4,600 feet, the fairways of Seven Canyon are lined with juniper and pine trees, rather than the saguaro cactus found at Arizona courses at lower elevations, such as in the Phoenix area. Despite the high desert elevation, Seven Canyons is playable year-round, with few winter weather closures. The course has narrow landing areas and small greens; I addition, strategically placed water hazards and Weiskopf’s bunker placements puts accuracy at a premium. Errant shots that avoid the junipers and pines will frequently find their way into dry wash areas that quickly bring bogey or worse into play.
Seven Canyons began earning accolades soon after opening in 2003, including being named one of Golf Digest’s Top 10 New Private Courses and earning a Best in Design award from The Golfer. As expected, the views of the surrounding red rock walls and outcroppings are breathtaking throughout the dramatic elevation changes of the course.
“It’s a visually stunning place, but it’s also a great test of golf,” said Dave Bisbee, the Golf Operations and Membership Director for Seven Canyons. “It’s easy to get distracted by the amazing scenery, but if you do, your score will suffer.”
A good way to get used to the scenic distractions is to spend time at The Practice Park, another visual stunner. Red rocks surround the two-tiered, 25-station practice tee, which is as serene as it is spacious. The Practice Park also features four target greens, a 5,000-foot putting green, and a chipping area with a practice bunker. Practice tip: Focus on your swing, not the surroundings.
Guests at Enchantment Resort and Mii amo can have their clubs transferred to and stored at Seven Canyons for convenience. The resort also offers complimentary transportation to and from Seven Canyons, which expects to open a new 14,000 square foot clubhouse in April.
Players can take advantage of Mii amo’s “Seven Treatments for Seven Canyons” which offers pre-round (Yoga for Golfers, Mindful Golf Meditation, and Golf and the Law of Attraction) and post-round (Seven Canyons Champion, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Massage, Competitor’s Facial). The skeptical should keep in mind that the 16 rooms at Mii amo are frequently booked to capacity with well-heeled visitors from around the world, who come for all-inclusive stays of three, four, or seven nights.
Enchantment Resort offers a Spa and Golf package, which includes a 60-minute spa treatment and a round of golf at Seven Canyons, plus breakfast at any of the resort restaurants or in-room dining. Visit www.enchantmentresort.com and click on the “Offers” link for more details on the Spa and Golf package and other seasonal offers.
Other golf options in Sedona include The Oakcreek Country Club, which is open to the public and features a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course with panoramic views of Sedona’s natural splendor. Also open to the public, Sedona Golf Resort has one of Arizona’s most photographed golf holes, the par-3 No. 10. When you stand on the tee, you’ll understand why shutterbugs come flocking.
Both The Oakcreek Country Club and Sedona Golf Resort are only a few minutes away from Enchantment Resort, which, despite its’ tranquil solitude is a also only a few minutes away from the town of Sedona. Resort guests wanting to shop or visit the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in town have easy access.
Enchantment Resort completed a two-year, $25 million complete renovation to the 70-acre property in 2012, including the 218 guest accommodations. Private decks and expansive windows in each of the casitas, casas, junior suites, and haciendas provide breathtaking views of Sedona’s famed sunrises and sunsets, accentuated by the region’s signature red rocks formations. Enchantment Resort and Mii amo guests can use room keys to open a gate on the grounds to Secret Mountain Wilderness in the Coconino National Forest, which enables direct access to the area’s not-to-be-missed hiking and biking paths along the Boynton Canyon Trail.
Dining and beverage options are numerous at the resort. Restaurants and bars on the grounds offer the largest selection of Arizona wines in the state, including sought-after vintages from wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, including Javelina Leap Vineyard and Page Springs Cellars. Che-Ah-Chi (the Apache name for Boynton Canyon) is the signature restaurant, offering a menu featuring many locally sourced items.
“Our chef at Che-Ah-Chi works with local growers to create a sophisticated menu using a lot of fresh, local ingredients,” Harrison said. “And guests who want gluten free or organic choices will find lots of options.”
Tii Gavo (meaning “the gathering place”), the resort’s casual dining restaurant, serves Southwestern foods indigenous to the region and features local craft beers on tap, as well as specialty cocktails and margaritas, including the signature Prickly Pear margarita. Mii amo Café offers health conscious “intelligent cuisine” featuring mostly organic ingredients, including from Mii amo’s own organic garden.
Enchantment Resort is easily accessible from California; from the Los Angeles area, it’s about a 7.5 hour drive, or about two hours from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Private and charter flights go into Sedona Airport, 15 minutes from Enchantment Resort.
After arriving, sink into nature, enjoy the view from the private deck, take a sunrise hike, and, if the putter betrays you on any of Sedona’s golf courses, give the “Seven Treatments for Seven Canyons” treatment a try.
