Golf at Westin Kierland

Anchoring The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is The Kierland Golf Club's 27-hole layout twisting through the natural beauty of the dramatic Arizona desert. The course is recognized by the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary programs for featuring more than 45 species of wildlife and at least 30 native plant types. Emerald-green fairways are etched into golden-colored desert grasses, sweeping over constantly changing elevations to flawless bent grass greens.

Navigate dry desert washes, canyon rock and more than 300 steep-walled bunkers. Designed by architect Scott Miller and managed by Troon Golf, a round here is an unforgettable walk through Arizona's rich golf legacy. Our top-ranked instruction, pro shop and popular Brittlebush Bar & Grill all work together to form the exceptional Kierland Golf experience.

Join us for a friendly competition, a low-key and inclusive team-based tournament, to start the BroadSoft Connections 2004 Executive Users Conference off with an afternoon of sun and fun. Rental clubs will be available in the pro shop, so remember to request them when you register for the conference. We gather at noon at the pro shop, and our tournament starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. on 10 October, so don't be late!

The Kierland Golf Club

Escape the city and experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert as guests float down one of Arizona's desert rivers. The scenic lower Salt River and Rio Verde are favorite foraging areas for Bald Eagles, coyotes, wild horses, mule deer and desert bighorn sheep. Rugged mountains fill the background as guests journey downstream between towering saguaro cactus and shady mesquite groves.

Our experienced and knowledgeable guides will give guests a day of excitement and thrills to create a memorable experience. Along the river, guides are eager to entertain with interesting tidbits of history and intrigue about earlier inhabitants and the native plants and animals that may be encountered along the way.

Rafting has become an enormously popular half-day activity. After all, what better way to recover from the hectic duties of everyday life than to relax and sunbathe while floating along a scenic stretch of river? With soaring eagles, towering cacti, and wild horses in the Tonto National Forest, this activity is sure to please!

Bring your suit, shades, towel, and sense of adventure! Transportation to the river departs from the hotel lobby at noon on 10 October, and we provide the box lunch for the drive.

Salt River and Rio Verde

Taliesin West Tour

In the late 1930's, Frank Lloyd Wright dreamed of and created Taliesin West "out of the desert." Wright and his apprentices gathered rocks from the desert floor and sand from the washes to build this desert masterpiece. Taliesin (pronounced TALLY EHSSEN) literally means "shining brow" in Welsh, the nationality of Wright's ancestors. Taliesin West is located on a broad mesa with views of the valley stretching beyond. Wright's goal was to make the structure an integral part of nature, evident in the low and sleek design; a momentary intrusion on a level plain before the desert rises again to the mountain behind it. From the beginning, this remarkable set of buildings astounded architectural critics with its beauty and unique form. Situated on 600 acres of rugged Sonoran desert in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, Taliesin West is now a National Historic Landmark.

Visitors to Taliesin West will not see a museum, but rather a remarkably vital and active community of and architects and students working together to maintain Wright's vision. Today 70 people live, work and study at Taliesin West. Guests will experience firsthand Wright's brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. The Panorama Tour will include various rooms at the home as well as an explanation of how the site relates to the natural desert. A general overview of Wright's basic theories of design, history of the site and activities of Taliesin Fellowship community life is bound to astound.

Transportation to Taliesin West departs from the hotel lobby at noon on 10 October, and we provide the box lunch for the ride.

Taliesin West

Horseback Riding

Experience Arizona's spectacular desert scenery and wildlife the old-fashioned way - on horseback! Enjoy the serenity and beauty of the Tonto National Forest. This one and one-half hour horseback ride transforms guests into an "Arizona Wrangler."

Guests will see the Valley of the Sun's most spectacular views while riding the trails of the wild Mustangs on the historical 25,000-acre Fort McDowell Indian Reservation. Steep, soaring mountain walls stand off in the distance accentuating the desert sky, offering a watercolor backdrop to this awesome and peaceful setting. The Sonoran Desert, with the densest foliage in the country; promotes the chance to see native cacti, trees and plants. Riders will have a horse personally selected; gentle horses for gentle people, spirited horses for spirited people, and for those that don't like to ride, we have horses that don't like to be ridden!

Calling all cowboys…jeans suggested and 10-gallon hat optional. Transportation to the ranch departs from the hotel lobby at noon on 10 October, and we provide the box lunch for the drive.

Around the hotel

For those who prefer to explore leisure activities in and around the hotel on their own or those who arrive throughout the afternoon of 10 October, the Westin Kierland offers several pleasant ways to pass the time. Click the links below to see several options, or check with the concierge on site for more suggestions.

Pool, tennis: Beautiful on-site pools and tennis courts are located on the resort grounds and offer a welcome opportunity to relax or play in the sun. http://www.kierlandresort.com/experience_pools.html

Shopping: A walk down Kierland Commons' Main Street reveals Valley shopping at its finest, with over 50 retailers including Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel and Restoration Hardware, to name a few. Spend an hour or the whole afternoon exploring the shops just a short stroll from the hotel. http://www.kierlandresort.com/experience_commons.html

Spa: Centuries ago, native peoples unlocked the healing powers of the agave plant. Since then, settlers have brought their own culture and healing remedies to this rough-and-tumble land. We celebrate these healing traditions at Agave, The Arizona Spa. Advance reservations are required. http://www.kierlandresort.com/spa.html

Valley of the Sun'