Tucson's Best Country Clubs
By Scott Behmer
Cactus Golf Daily
Course Reviewer
November 3, 1998
TUCSON,Az - Tucson has an eclectic mix of country clubs
ranging from long and narrow to short and forgiving to pure
desert golf. It's certain that among these you'll find the
course that fits your game.
Tucson Country Club was created in the old "Midwestern"
style with lots of grass and large fairway bordering trees.
Straightforward, long par 4's account for much of the 6945
yards. They require length off the tee and a good putting
touch on the greens. Interestingly, the opening of the front
and back nines mirror each other, their distances not varying
by more than ten yards. Water comes into play on many of
the holes, further enhancing the "Midwestern"
feel. Greenside bunkering is minimal, but placed in the
proper spot to make it fully effective. Two years ago the
course was closed for the entire summer to reconstruct the
greens. Now, like years ago, the greens roll as if you're
putting on glass. Fast and true, these impeccable greens
are a Tucson Country Club tradition.
Tucson's other long-standing country club is 49er's Country
Club. On the far eastside, it's shorter at 6600 yards, but
tighter than Tucson Country Club. More three-woods than
drivers are hit here. If you drive the ball in the fairway,
you can take advantage of the shorter holes. Missing the
fairway results in lost balls. For the inconsistent driver,
49er's plays harder than most desert courses. Large trees,
houses, and in some places desert guards the fairways. The
greens are open, permitting a wide variety of chipping and
pitching opportunities. One oddity is that the backside
opens and closes with par 3's. How many courses do you know
offering that?
One of greater Tucson's newer country clubs is Oro Valley
Country Club. Great greens are its trademark. Mandatory spikeless
golf shoes have eliminated the spike marks. The putts roll
smooth and true on soft bent-grass greens. The course sits
in a valley of trees that keeps out the sounds of nearby Oracle,
leaving you with the quietest course in Tucson. Long and narrow,
it challenges a player's accuracy from the tee, with desert
often bordering one side of the fairway while trees line the
other. Medium sized but well protected plateau greens demand
accuracy. If you miss the green it will be difficult to get
a chip close to the hole. Oro Valley's finishing hole is one
of the most challenging and beautiful in Tucson. A 440-yard
par 4 with a waterfall behind the green, you'll be sure to
remember this hole long after your round.
Compared to Tucson's other country clubs El Conquistador Country
Club's two courses are uniquely southwest. Pure desert surrounds
the tee boxes and greens, and borders the fairways. Miss the
fairway here and you may be lucky enough to end up in a wash,
but there's no hope of bouncing off a tree to keep it in play.
Even the greens remind you that you're at a desert course.
Firm, fast, and dry, incoming shots will not spin back like
they do at the other three courses. In fact, you'll be fortunate
to stop the ball within ten feet of where it lands. El Conquistador's
courses demand spot targeting while providing a unique blend
of creative holes with dramatic elevation changes.
In Tucson, there's a country club course for everyone. Whether
you want a "Midwestern" feel, peace and quiet, short
but demanding holes, or a true desert test, you'll find it.
Playing any of these country clubs guarantees a challenging
round on a top-notch golf course. |
Wildfire Golf Club - Palmer Course