Rancho Manana Golf Club

Rancho Manana Golf Club sits in the high Sonoran Desert foothills of Cave Creek, roughly thirty miles north of Phoenix. Designed by Bill Johnston and opened in the 1980s, the course occupies rolling desert terrain characterized by elevation changes, natural washes, and the distinctive saguaro cactus and boulder formations typical of this part of Arizona. The layout takes advantage of the property's natural contours, with holes routed through arroyos and over ridgelines that provide views of the surrounding mountains. The course plays as a traditional desert design where native vegetation and rock outcroppings frame fairways and define playing corridors. Johnston's routing incorporates the site's topography to create variety in hole length and shot requirements, with several holes playing uphill or downhill and others traversing relatively level ground through the desert floor. Water features appear sparingly, keeping the focus on desert golf's characteristic risk-reward decisions around carry distances and recovery options from native areas. Rancho Manana operates as a semi-private facility, offering both member and public play. The club serves the Cave Creek community, an area known for its Western heritage character and proximity to outdoor recreation in the Tonto National Forest. The course provides a desert golf experience that reflects the region's landscape without the resort-scale development found closer to Scottsdale, appealing to golfers seeking a more natural desert setting within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.