By Ryan Finley
GolfArizona.com Staff Writer
TUCSON - Guess what? Tucson is sunny most of the year and houses
some of the nation’s finest golf facilities. Duh!
Jim Moriarty, travel writer for Golf Digest, uncovers this and
many other little-known facts about the Old Pueblo in this month’s
issue. I’ll try to break down what he said about Arizona’s
golf paradise and save everyone the $3.99.
Use these reviews to start a debate of your own. Maybe you’ll
get in as many fights and my roommates and I have gotten into.
Private Courses: Moriarty loves both the mountain course at Ventana
Canyon, Vistoso, and the Raven. Vistoso gets his vote for the
most difficult course to navigate, advising that any aggressive
golfer “wear long pants.”
The Ventana course, known as much for its high-profile guests
as for its links, also has the innate ability to frustrate the
uninitiated. Moriarty, in fact, claims the challenging course
will “lighten your golf ball burden.”
The Raven Golf Club, home of the University of Arizona men’s
and women’s golf teams, is also given four stars on the five
star system. Easier to navigate and more “user-friendly”,
the Raven is given top billing for private courses.
The Westin La Paloma course, arguably the most challenging as
well as picturesque course in the city, was given a measly three
stars. According to Moriarty, designer Jack Nicklaus designed
it “in his mean streak—the mid '80’s.”
For locals, his review can do nothing but spark debate.
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Public Courses: The North Course at Randolph Park seems to be the
only course worth mentioning for the Golf Digest people. The home
of the LPGA Welch’s/ Circle K Championship, Randolph Park will
only cost around $29.
According to the author, “Public golf in Tucson is a true
bargain.” What? With the rates rising and locals heading
to Green Valley in droves, Golf Digest must’ve stumbled upon
the wrong city.
Did You Know?: According to Moriarty, the following is true about
the city of Tucson:
Tucson is the fourth-least humid city in the nation. What, is Al
Roker the contributing editor? Humidity’s bearing on golf has
very little to do with…well, golf.
“If it’s molded from clay, it’s somewhere in Tubac”—is
this the same Tubac I pass on my way to Mexico? Tubac is hardly
Haight-Ashbury, if you ask me.
“The best Mexican place in town is the original, family-oriented
El Charro Café”. Getting two people to agree on Mexican
food is like getting people to agree on toppings for a pizza:
everyone always thinks the other is right. Personally, I like
Macayo’s on Oracle.
“You’ve been in the desert too long if you’ve
been to biosphere 2”---Correction. You’ve been in the
desert too long if you’re writing about Biosphere 2.
Moriarty, like any good travel writer, has highlighted Tucson’s
advantages. For locals, however, his review can do nothing but
spark debate. I’m guessing that’s what he wanted all
along.
McCormich Ranch Golf Club - Pine Course