El Conquistador Country
Club Gears up for the Future
By Shane Sharp, Regional Staff Writer
TUCSON - Sunrise and Sunset are the two most beautiful times of day
in Arizona. Shadows dance around the cactus, prairie dogs come out
to play, sprinklers spring on to soak the parched grass, the beverage
cart girl hands you the keys to the beverage cart - o.k., so maybe
that doesn't actually happen. But there are two courses at the El
Conquistador Country Club that will be catering to the fantasies of
golfers in the near future.
The Sunrise and Sunset courses at El Conquistador have been Tucson
staples of country club/resort style golf for years. Only a free
seven minute shuttle ride away from the Sheraton Resort, these twin
tracks of the northwest valley offer one of the fairest tests of
golf around. And hang on to your visor Tucson, because these tests
are about to notch up in difficulty and enjoyment.
Both the Sunrise and Sunset courses were designed by Jeff Hardin
and Greg Nash, so similarities abound throughout each layout. But
cognizant of the fact that the local membership would require some
disparity between courses to keep their interest perked, Hardin
and Nash have distinguished each track by using the surrounding
landscape to the fullest extent.
The Sunrise Course presents the most interesting terrain, with
elevation changes and elevated tee boxes. A Hardin and Nash trademark,
a number of the hole on the Sunrise Course feature fairways that
seem to rise up from the desert floor, reaching their pinnacle at
elevated greens. The key on the Sunrise Course are accurate approach
shots - greens are slightly faster and better bunkered than the
Sunset Course.
The Sunset Course, while it may lack some of the changes in elevation,
is considered by many to be the more challenging layout. The course
follows the ravines and traces the foothills of the west Catalina
Mountains like rainwater after a storm. The key on the Sunset Course
lies in accuracy off the tee, as the fairways do not boast the generous
landing areas of the Sunrise Course
This differences may appear subtle to the average student of course
design, because frankly, they are. But not for long. As Director
of Golf Mark Bakeman explains, both courses will undergo significant
redesigns in the upcoming months.
The Sunset Course is down right now," says Bakeman. "It
will become more of a park style course with grass from tee to green.
The Sunrise renovation will take place from May of 2000 until November
of 2000, and it will be a true desert style target course."
The impetus for the redesigns, according to Bakeman, was to provide
both members and visitors with two distinct playing experiences.
It makes all the sense in the world. If you are going to have two
courses, spice it up.
"Right now, the courses are fairly similar and we want to make
sure we have two different courses to play since we have the money
right now," adds Bakeman. "This will appeal to both members
and tourists. There will be four sets of tees and we are adding
yardage to the tips of both courses."
When it is all said and done, the Nash redesigns should reassert
the El Conquistador Country Club as one of the finest multi-course
facilities in southern Arizona.
CHIP SHOTS: The Sunset Course will reopen with its new look
in November of 1999.
CLASSIFICATION: Resort
GUEST POLICY: Open
DRESS CODE: No denim, collared shirt and bermuda shorts required.
SEASON: Open all year
TEE TIMES: Accepted 2 days in advance.
EARLIEST TIME TO CALL: 6:00 a.m.
PRO SHOP PHONE: (520)544-1800
PRO SHOP OPENS: 6:00 a.m.
Shane Sharp is a staff writer for Myrtlebeachgolf.com and GolfArizona.com.
Contact him at sharp@rockies.com
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