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Photos: Jay Morrish-designed Pine Canyon in Flagstaff completes $6 million renovation

Pine Canyon’s 19th hole is dubbed “Double or Nothin.”

Pine Canyon Golf Club in Flagstaff, Arizona, has announced the completion of a $6.4 million renovation with a longer, improved layout and sustainable irrigation technology.

The private course, originally designed by Jay Morrish and opened in 1994, bills itself as a “19-hole championship golf course.” The 18 holes play 7,265 from the tips while the 19th hole, aptly named “Double or Nothin'”, is a 100-yard shot to an island green. It’s perfectly situated from the men’s lockerroom patio as well as the clubhouse dining veranda. It’s popular among the membership for social events, tournaments and closest-to-the-pin competitions.

The renovation’s aim was better visuals and playability while adding about 100 years while also being more sustainable with new technology in the irrigation system with 30 percent enhanced water efficiency and reduced sprinkler count.

To go along with the renovation is the announcement that 12 high-end homes are now up for sale in the high country. Owned and developed by Symmetry Companies, based in Scottsdale, the sales launch is for the final new homes at Pine Canyon called Ghost Tree.

Billed as “an exclusive enclave of 12 ultra-luxe homes,” prices will start at $3 million, setting market record of more than $1,000 per square foot. It’s the first time new homes have been up for sale at Pine Canyon since 2021, when all 26 homesites at Pine Run sold out in one day. The Ghost Tree name comes from the iconic gnarled, weathered, decades-old Ponderosa Pine with an Osprey nest atop.

Ghost Tree at Pine Canyon — A rendering of a home’s back patio with a view of the golf course and the ghost tree at Flagstaff’s Pine Canyon Golf Club. (Symmetry Companies)

The golf community encompasses close to 600 acres.

The $6.4 million golf course renovation represents the largest investment in the course’s history. Michael Kuhn & Associates did the renovation.

In addition to the golf course, Pine Canyon has a full-service spa, fitness facilities and numerous outdoor recreational activities such as a soccer pitch, a flag football field and a whiffleball diamond.

Check out some images of the golf course renovation and home renderings.

5 ways to get outside in Flagstaff, Arizona

Find the fun in Flagstaff!

Sometimes, I think Flagstaff, Arizona, has shot itself in the foot with all the “gateway to the Grand Canyon” hype. At 75 miles away, it is close to that epic hole in the ground. But Flagstaff is a fun and cute city with plenty to do, and it deserves travelers’ attention as a destination, not just a place to drive through.

The city of 77,000 rests 7,000 feet above sea level — the sweet spot for ponderosa pines, which grow at 6,000 to 9,000 feet. Tree huggers will love visiting the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest surrounding Flagstaff. Since the 1960s, international athletes have used Flagstaff as a high-altitude training site. So pack your hiking boots and sporty layers, because it’s time to get outside.

Explore curious cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon National Monument

Tour the canyon and caves.

A visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument lets you imagine yourself 700 years back in time when earlier people lived in cliff dwellings with incredible views. Check out the forested canyon, the cacti, and the blue sky. You might just fantasize about living here yourself.

Limestone caves. — Cliff dwellings at Walnut Creek National Monument. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

The monument is 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. Archeologists refer to the 12th- and 13th-century inhabitants as Sinagua cave dwellers. But don’t mistake these folks for cavemen. People lived in a complicated and cooperative society in the canyon.

Their dwellings were very clever. They used what nature provided — back walls, floors, and leak-proof ceilings — in the rock alcoves. Then, they built thick side walls out of limestone blocks and mud, providing insulation and retaining heat in winter. They probably decorated their living spaces with rugs and hung animal skins over the small door openings facing the canyon.

A scrub-lined canyon. — Early cliff dwellers had sensational canyon views. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Archeologists think the larger rooms were living spaces, and the smaller rooms stored water, food, and tools. They might have kept a 100-day water supply in large pottery vessels. Archeologists have recovered sandals, knives, and tools for making arrow shafts and pottery.

Walnut Creek created the surrounding 400-foot canyon. The cliff dwellings are naturally carved from Kaibab limestone. Early people added a hole to let smoke escape from their heating fires.

A hole in a cave wall. — Smoke escaped through a hole high up in the cliff dwelling. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

On a recent visit, the site felt very peaceful and quiet (despite quite a few visitors). There was little sound except the wind and an occasional passing bird. The one-mile Island Trail — paved, with stairs and handrails — descends 185 feet into the canyon. At almost 7,000 feet in elevation, it can be a little strenuous on the way back up, especially if you’re a sea-level dweller. Hike slowly, and be sure to carry some water with you. The trail is too steep for wheelchair users, and pets aren’t allowed.

A blue sky above a scrub-lined canyon. A small building sits at the top of the canyon. — The visitor center on top is built to blend in. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Alternatively, you could take it easy and stay on the Rim Trail above, from which you can look down into Walnut Canyon. At the top, the monument has a nice interpretive center with a good selection of Arizona books.