You voted for more than 4,000 nominees in nearly 400 categories (equaling 1.5 million-plus views at AZFoothills.com). Now, it is time to get to know your Best of Our Valley 2014 winners. From your favorite restaurants and resorts to your choice schools and shops, Arizona Foothills Magazine presents Best of Our Valley 2014.
Arizona is home to champion sports teams, some of the nation’s top golf courses and always-anticipated sporting events. Here are a few favorites of Valley sports fans.
Story by Lindsey Clinkingbeard 
BEST 19TH HOLE, BEST GOLF COMMUNITY, BEST PRIVATE CLUB AND BEST PRO SHOP – MIRABEL
MIRABEL IS THE PERFECT COMMUNITY for anyone who wants to enjoy the finer things in life with neighbors and friends—from a tasty 19th hole to the top golf-goods shop. The members-only clubhouse hosts everything from cooking classes and fitness clinics to charity events and more. Members enjoy full fitness, spa and salon services; a resort- size pool with cabanas; and a Har-Tru tennis garden. Plus, the luxury community’s location in North Scottsdale offers residents spectacular views and a great climate. With 345 homesites, this guarded community is spread across 700 acres for an ideal combination of privacy and a strong sense of community. Mirabel offers both luxury homes and custom lots. www.mirabel.com.
BEST SPRING TRAINING FIELD – SALT RIVER FIELDS AT TALKING STICK
AS THE SPRING TRAINING HOME of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick raises the bar for Major League Baseball training arenas. Not only it is surrounded by the best mountain views in Scottsdale, but Salt River Fields is always improving to be the biggest and best baseball facility in the country. The unique layout of the campus gives fans up-close action from their favorite players, allowing them the chance to interact with them and experience baseball like never before. www.saltriverfields.com.
BEST GOLF CLOTHING & SHOPPING – PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE
BEST CLUBHOUSE SPA – ENCANTERRA
La Casa at The Club at Encanterra is a 60,000-sq.-ft. resort club dedicated to delivering an exceptional membership experience. La Casa’s personalized elements include a fully equipped sports shop, a state-of-the-art athletic club, contemporary indoor and outdoor pools and, of course, the indulgent Alvea Spa. Reserve your appointment for a refreshing massage, facial, mani/pedi or body treatment in a soothing, comforting environment. www.encanterragolf.com/encanterra.
BEST ARIZONA PRO SPORTS TEAM – ARIZONA RATTLERS The Rattlers are a professional and passionate Arizona football team who are current champions of the Arena Football League. Founded in 1992, the Rattlers are led by head coach Kevin Guy and their home games are based out of US Airways Center. Since its establishment as a team, the Rattlers have won eight division titles and have played in eight ArenaBowl Championship games. www.azrattlers.com.
BEST PUBLIC COURSE – QUINTERO GOLF CLUB Luscious green grass covers the Quintero Golf Course in the middle of the Arizona desert land. Quintero focuses on providing guests with the finest playing surfaces and an ultimate challenge for their personal game. This course offers a true Southwest experience in the game of golf. www.quinterogolfclub.com.
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE – SPORT CHALET Founded by Norbert Olberz in 1959, Sport Chalet has grown to 45,000-sq.-ft. sporting goods stores with premium equipment, apparel and footwear. Each store includes a selection of specialty shops offering brand-name apparel plus traditional and specialty equipment for beginners and experts. Remaining true to Olberz’ vision, Sport Chalet is staffed with well-trained, knowledgeable sales associates. www.sportchalet.com. BEST SPORTS VENUE – CHASE FIELD Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Opening in 1998, Chase Field was the first stadium built in the nation with a retractable roof. Originally named Bank One Ballpark, the stadium now boasts a swimming pool sponsored by Dodge, which is rentable to patrons as a suite for $3,500 per game. The stadium is also home to concerts, football games and supercross events. www.azchasefield.com. FAVORITE ARIZONA COACH – KEVIN GUY, ARIZONA RATTLERS Having served as a football coach since 2000 and a former player himself, Kevin Guy has extensive knowledge of the game that he implements into coaching. Named the head coach of the Rattlers in 2008, Guy has won two ArenaBowls in 2012 and 2013. www.azrattlers.com. FAVORITE ARIZONA RATTLERS PLAYER – MARCUS PITTMAN Marcus Pittman is a six-foot five-inch, 290-pound player who competed in all 18 games of the Rattler’s 2011 season. During that year, he set a record with 8.5 sacks and made 27.5 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception and two forced fumbles. This season will mark his fifth with the Rattlers. www.azrattlers.com. 
FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER – CRISTIE KERR Cristie Kerr has succeeded in her golf career with 16 wins on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships. Motivated by her mother, Kerr is dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer through the foundation she created called Birdies for Breast Cancer. In 2009, she raised $750,000 through donations and an annual charity event. Kerr currently resides in Scottsdale. www.lpga.com.
FAVORITE MALE GOLFER – PHIL MICKELSON Phil Mickelson has won 42 events on the PGA Tour, including five major championships. Nicknamed “Lefty” for his left-handed swing, Mickelson now holds a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame. He learned the sport of golf at a young age and attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship. www.philmickelson.com.
FAVORITE ARIZONA CARDINALS PLAYER – CALAIS CAMPBELL In 2011, Calais Campbell stepped up as a defensive powerhouse for the Arizona Cardinals. Born in Colorado, Campbell played college football for the University of Miami in Florida. Campbell is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top defensive players. www.azcardinals.com.
FAVORITE PHOENIX SUNS PLAYER – CHANNING FRYE Channing Frye plays center and power forward positions for the Phoenix Suns. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Frye was selected eighth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2005 NBA Draft—the first college senior to be selected in that draft. It was also that year he was named Rookie of the Month. Since 2009, Frye has been playing for the Phoenix Suns. After discovering he had an enlarged heart and sitting out the 2012-2013 season, Frye is now back on the court. www.nba.com/suns.
