Encanto. December 11. Sunset 9, real pressure, real cash. If you want in on Phoenix’s most competitive after-work game, this is your shot.

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Encanto isn’t fancy. It doesn’t flex. It doesn’t try to be Scottsdale. And that’s exactly why it hits so hard.

Every time I walk onto Encanto 18, I feel like I’m stepping into old Phoenix… in a good way. Wide fairways, flat lies, morning light sliding through those palm trees along 1 and 18. You can hear the city humming a block away, but the course still feels like its own little world.

This place is golf stripped back to the essentials. No ego, no noise, no resort markup. Just vibes, pace, and a layout that quietly rewards anyone with a bit of discipline in their game.

And that’s why it’s the perfect home for our next Cactus Club event.

When we ran the first Skins Night here earlier this month, the energy was stupid good. Guys were rolling up after work, checking in through the Big Game app, grabbing range balls, and talking trash before the sun even dipped behind the palms.

It felt like what the Phoenix golf scene should feel like: competitive, welcoming, and just the right amount of chaos.

December 11, we’re running it back. Same formula, better execution, more players, and bigger pots. If you missed the first one, consider this your nudge to stop watching from the sidelines.

Encanto is a sneaky-perfect match for Skins play because everything is right in front of you. No trickery, no forced carries, no goofy design trying to embarrass you. Just solid golf shots and chances to roll in something for cash.

A few holes you’ll be thinking about all week:

Hole 5: Drive or Don’t

You can hit a 3-iron wedge all day here, but every time you step on that tee, the green whispers, “send it.” If you’ve got the carry, you’re eagle-hunting. If not, say hello to the right trees and a humble bogey.

Hole 10: Set the Tone

Start of the back nine, fairway is tighter than it looks, and the clever play is almost always the boring one. Hit your number here, and you might string together something silly on the way in.

Hole 17: The Silent Assassin

You’ve seen this hole a thousand times, and it still gets you. Birdie looks easy on paper, but miss your approach left and you’re praying to stop it close.

The best part: if you’re dialed, you can absolutely go low. And if you’re not dialed, you’re still having fun because the course doesn’t punish you for being human.

Last time, the boys were giving me grief about “field testing” a new tool. I’ll say this: the Big Game app made running the event smoother than any skins game I’ve ever hosted. Live scoring, pairings, and check-ins are all clean.

Call it a 4.5/5 now that we’ve broken it in.

You’ll use it again on December 11, and trust me, it makes the night feel professional without killing the fun.

Here’s the truth: the biggest advantage in amateur golf isn’t distance or gear. It’s a community.

When you play with better players, you get better. When you compete, you focus. When the group around you is locked in, you raise your own ceiling.

The Cactus Club events are built for that exact environment: serious golf with non-serious people. Good shots get loud. Foul shots get roasted. And every round feels like a story.

If you’re in Phoenix, if you’re competitive, or if you want to play in a format that actually gets your heart rate up, this is your night.

I’ll be there. The crew will be there. All that’s missing is you. Let’s make this one even better than the first.

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December 11: Big Game 2

Four groups. Nine holes. Skins, side bets, and cold cash. Join us at Encanto for the December Big Game. Spots are limited. (register)

1–3 minutes. One lucky member wins a $250 gift card every month.

Might as well be you.