Just getting caught up on my round reviews from Saturday 8/25. The executive Desert Trails at SCW was my early warm-up before the GK Plays at Grandview. Thanks to Johnny and Pat from SCW for setting u... Continue »

Just getting caught up on my round reviews from Saturday 8/25. The executive Desert Trails at SCW was my early warm-up before the GK Plays at Grandview. Thanks to Johnny and Pat from SCW for setting up this 6:00 tee time and making sure I was able to get out first in front of a club group. I did have to play through a group of ladies after the turn, but otherwise it was smooth sailing.

The course was in really nice condition. As good, if not even a little better, than Grandview later in the day. However, I think it was more about the early morning light and the damp grass looking a little "prettier" in photos and to the naked eye. Tee boxes, fairways and rough were all lush and nicely kept. They did lose a number of trees around the course due to recent storms, so there were some fresh-cut stumps and GUR areas roped off. The greens were receptive with some morning wetness and rolling smooth at slow speeds. I wasn't in any bunkers and there aren't really that many on the course, but they appeared decent.

This is a solid 18-hole executive (par-61) that's in the SCW mold. Reminded me a lot of Stardust, which I played a couple years ago. Pretty similar courses overall. The best holes on Desert Trails come toward the end (14-17) with some water hazards in play. Otherwise, it's a good mix of lengths on the few par-4s and all the par-3s. Good value course to work on your game and not get too beat up, and the conditions being nice surely helped make it more enjoyable.