By Scott Gaertner
Lifestyle Contributor

I thought Desert Mountain was one of the best golf facilities in the world when I was on staff there in the late 1980’s, and there were only 3 golf courses back then. Today the Desert Mountain members are adding a seventh golf course to their already incredible golf facility! Aptly named Seven Desert Mountain, the course will be built over 90 acres just west of the main gate and will also add up to 190 new homes. The course is part of a national movement toward building more user-friendly golf courses. No. 7 at Desert Mountain is styled after the incredibly popular “Li’l Wick at Wickenburg Ranch and will be a par 54, 18 hole short game golf course that will incorporate the open air clubhouse, providing a “sports bar” type entertainment experience as you play. (Scott’s note: If you are a golfer and haven’t played Li’l Wick you need to!) Lighted putting greens, wide open seating and music areas extending from the clubhouse will enhance the player enjoyment of their round. If you are one of those thinking “…as if Scottsdale North needs another course”, I would remind you that this is a golf course where you can also have Happy Hour. Of course we need it! The course is under construction and home sales will begin this fall. Homes will be sized between 2,300 to 6,500+ square feet and priced from $1 million to $3 million+ and most will have views of the golf course. If you would like updates on these home sales, drop us a line at [email protected]

Terravita Completing Yet Another Update to Their Amenities
Terravita continues to prove its commitment to stay at the forefront of best membership experience with a $5.2 million-dollar renovation of their main clubhouse. This improvement is the culmination of years of planning based on their member’s input. In 2012, the community completed a fantastic update and expansion of the already great fitness facility. They followed that with a complete overhaul and expansion of the community center in 2016. Now they are in the middle of making current their main clubhouse, which serves as the focal point for the 50 or 60 different social organizations that are the heart and the hub of the community. The new design aims to maximize the views from inside the clubhouse to the outdoor desert and mountain vistas. It will also capitalize on our area’s fantastic outdoor living by incorporating sliding door systems and additional terrace seating. The disappearing sliding doors remind me of the first time I saw that feature at Isabella’s Kitchen in Grayhawk. Very exciting stuff!

I was on staff with the developer, and a member of the club when the first club house was built, and it was fantastic. These changes should add immensely to Terravita’s incredible lifestyle value.

Other Scottsdale North Communities
We have heard rumors that Winfield is evaluating the possibility of adding Pickleball to their amenities but could not verify that. Possibly more next month. Bellasera is apparently in the process of renovating their clubhouse and revitalizing their mailboxes. If your community has something interesting happening and you would like people to know, drop us a line at [email protected]