Williams Arizona is home to

Elephant Rocks Golf Course

For almost 100 years Williams has been home to what is now known as Elephant Rocks Golf Course. However, when it started out in the 1920’s it was far from the championship style course it is today. Read about the history of this beautiful course( reposted from Elephant Rocks website).

History of Elephant Rocks

Golf started at the course back in the 20’s, when the Williams Country Club was formed. The members and railway workers constructed the historic clubhouse in 1932 and it still stands today basically as it was constructed back then. That can not be said of the course – up to 1990 it operated as the Williams Country Club, a private members club. While much of the land was leased from the US Forest Service, the club did own the land covering three holes.

The Rocks for which the course is named.

The city hired top golf course designer Gary Panks to come in and carry out the work, while maintaining the integrity of the original design. Wanting to create a new image for the course the city decided to change the name of the course to Elephant Rocks at Williams, to recognize the massive lava rocks that are located each side of the road as you drive into the course. These rocks are strangely familiar to the shape of Elephants, especially after a visit to the historic 19th. Stories of these natural rocks abound and many a tale leaves with visitors after conversations with the enthusiastic locals.

In the spring of 1990, the redesigned 9 holes opened for play and quickly gathered the reputation of the best 9 holes of golf in the state. Despite its high reputation, it has retained its laid back nature and is a refreshing change after the hassle of modern life.

The year 2000 saw another major change, with the start of construction of an additional 9 holes. The city council seeing the future of Williams as a destination town with a strong influence of retirees living in the cool pines, struck a deal with local developer Bill Gary, to include 9 holes within his development and sell the course to the city, to create the 18 hole championship course we know today. This saw the return of architect Gary Panks, who, despite very different terrain, managed to blend the old and new 9 holes together to form a complete challenge. The new holes are more challenging and longer but still balance with the tight holes of the original nine.

The course is owned and operated by the City of Williams and the daily operations are under the direction of Scott Little(PGA Professional) and Marty Yerian (Superintendent). The city has appointed a committee of seven golfers to oversee the playing conditions and facilities at the course.

Relax at The Clubhouse

The clubhouse was originally built in 1932 by railway workers. The quality of materials (local stone and timber) and craftsmanship is apparent as this clubhouse is still in use today. Be sure to take a look at the natural rock fireplace and original timber roof beams. Sit back, relax and enjoy some conversation after the game. The Elephant Rocks Grill is open from early May to mid October.

Book The Pavillion

If you have a wedding or other big event coming up you should take a look at The Pavilion at Elephant Rocks. Here is what the website has to say about having a wedding on site. “Elephant Rocks Golf Course is one of the premier wedding ceremony sites in Northern Arizona. The majestic Bill Williams Mountain provides the canvas for your beautiful wedding while the beautifully manicured golf course and stands of tall Ponderosa Pines create an unparalleled setting. Our banquet hall, nestled in the tall pines, is located just across the first tee box from our main clubhouse. The walk from the ceremony site to the reception can be as little as a 30 steps depending on the desired ceremony location. This makes Elephant Rocks Golf Course the perfect all inclusive venue for your big day. A true convenience for the wedding party and guests.”