Front
and Back Nine
Starr Pass Highlights
By Shane Sharp
Regional Staff Writer
TUCSON, Ariz -- Local Tucsonans will site this claim to fame as
quickly as they can rattle off the starting five of the 1988, Final
Four Arizona Men's basketball team. This claim to fame is that the
Tucson basin is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in
north America.
What in the world does that factoid have to do with golf? Nothing
really. It just sets the stage for the fact that despite it's
location in the wild, wild west, Tucson has some serious history
going for it. That history is reflected in Starr Pass's signature
hole, the 350 yard par-4 15th hole.
In the early 1800's, the Richard Starr Stagecoach line traveled
through the mountain pass that is now the 15th hole on its way
to downtown Tucson. Today, the 15th presents one of the more entertaining
challenges of golf in the Old Pueblo as it takes you ever closer
to the the inviting Starr Pass clubhouse and proshop.
The hole literally runs through the middle of two craggy desert
mountains, and a blind tee shot conjures up the same anxiety that
early travelers through the perilous pass must have felt. When
it played host to the Tucson Open up until 1996, the 15th must
have been one of the more entertaining holes to watch the Big
Boys attempt to conquer.
The Hole: The 15th hole at the TPC at Starr Pass. A par-4
that plays 350 yards from the tips, 295 yards from the middle
tees, and 267 yards from the ladies tees.
Architect: Robert Cupp and Craig Stadler
The Layout: Looking out from the tee box, the pinnacle
of Starr Pass rests at the top of the hill, framed by a fairway
that jogs slightly to the right. A rock outcropping looms large
on the left side of the fairway, but a solid tee shot should take
it out of play. Your approach shot will be to one of the many
postage stamp sized greens on the course that is protected both
front and back by greenside bunkers.
The Strategy: On the 15th is largely dependent upon just
what you need to finish up your round that day. If you are in
need of a low score to get in at or below you handicap, the downhill
slope of the backside of the fairway will enable you to go for
the green in one.
If you just are in need of some solid course management to finish
up at you number or to take a tasty Nassau booty home with you,
poke a nice long iron on top of the hill to set up a nice little
approach shot
The Average Golfer: Should employ the same strategy that
has gotten them through holes 1 through 14 - keep it straight
and narrow. Whatever club you feel will place your ball front
and center in the short stuff should be the play of choice. Do
not worry about going for the green off the tee - chances are
you will just be playing rock pool with the landscape.
Don't Play: A high week fade that will drop off into the
desert to the right. A strong hook is not the ideal shot either,
but at least it stands a chance of ricocheting off the hardpan.
Play the Holes: Late in the afternoon when the hole becomes
one of the most scenic golfing experiences in Tucson. Unlike desert
courses that are located in the valley itself, the Tucson Mountains
create some of the most unbelievable shadows in the desert southwest.
Inside the numbers: The 15th Hole is the No. 6 handicap
hole at Starr Pass.
Shane Sharp is a staff writer for Myrtlebeachgolf.com and
GolfArizona.com. Contact him at sharp@rockies.com
Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Sidewinder Course