GOLF AND SPRING TRAINING - A MATCH MADE IN TUCSON

Tucson, AZ - We all know that Tucson has become a spring training Mecca, what with the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Chicago Whitesox all calling the Old Pueblo home during the month of March. We also know that Tucson has always been a pantheon of golf - sporting some of Arizona's most talked about links and poshest resorts. It stands to reason that any excursion to this corner of the Sonoran Desert during March should include taking in a spring training game and a ballpark hot dog, as well as round of golf on one of the region's finest desert tracts. For those not familiar with Tucson's geography, the assumption is that these two recreational gems must take place on separate days. Nonsense - we can tell you how to pull it off before dinner. Prepare to stuff you dayplanner.

Where to Stay

Grab a room at the Double Tree Hotel. The hotel is across the street from the Randolph/Del Urich Municipal Golf Course, and less than a mile from the Hi-Corbett field, home of the Rockies' spring training games. The rooms are spacey and clean, the pool is immaculate, and the Javalina Cantina (on-site) can provide you with meals and other nineteenth hole necessities. The Lodge on the Desert, located only a five iron away from the Double Tree, offers a more intimate - bed and breakfast style setting.

Where to Play

You say you haven't come all the way to Tucson to tee it up at a muni? Don't let any of the LPGA's top guns catch wind of your snubbery of all things muni. The Randolph/Dell Urich Municipal Golf Course annually hosts the Ping/Welch's LPGA Tour stop featuring a veritable who's- who of the LPGA money list (held this year from March 11-14). The course is centrally located between the Double Tree and Hi Corbett Field, home to the Rockies spring training games. Grab an early morning tee time at either of Randolph' s challenging eighteen hole layouts: Randolph North, which features a classic layout of gently sloping, tree lined fairways, or the Dell Urich Course, featuring newly remodeled fairways with elephants buried under them from tee to green, and speedy undulating greens that will challenge the deftest of rollers.

Where to Watch

Hi-Corbett Field - Tucson's classic baseball venue. The park is a throwback to the days when baseball stadiums were located among people - not parking, and is the spring home of the Colorado Rockies. Tucked between Randolph Park and the historic Colonia Solana neighborhood, Hi Corbett hops with the sounds of the boys of spring. Most afternoon games start at 1:05 p.m., so you should have almost an hour to mozy over from Randolph or Dell Urich. If you missed lunch on the links, try one of Hi-Corbett's legendary hotdogs.

Who to Watch

If you 're at Hi Corbett, a least half the show is provided by the Rockies, so you might as well scout them to get a handle on whether or not they have a shot at winning the talent rich National League West Division. Pay close attention the first two to three innings when projected starters usually take the field for limited play. Take in a few Larry Walker tosses from right field - while his arm strength isn't quite what is used to be, Walker can still pick up an assist or two with a laser throw to second or third base. Better yet, check out the defending National League batting champ and 1997 MVP at the plate as he takes his smooth southpaw cuts. In the infield, check out two of baseballs up and coming talents in shortstop Neifi Perez and first baseman Todd Helton. All Helton did in his rookie season with the Rockies was slug a paltry .315 batting average, drive in 95 runs and hit 25 homers whie finishing second to the Cub's Kerry Wood in Rookie of the Year voting.

Where to Eat

Still hungry? Head back to the Javelina Cantina at the Double Tree for 19th Hole Happy Hour specials. Or, belly up at Tucson's most famous neighborhood bar, Bob Dobs, located on the northeast corner of Tucson Blvd. and 6th St., about a five minute drive from the stadium.

Colorado Rockies Spring Training Ticket Info

Hi Corbett Field Seating Chart

The Double Tree Hotel - (520) 881-4200

The Lodge on the Desert - (520) 325-3366

Dell Urich and Randolph Reservations - (520) 791-4336

Pro Shops - (520) 325-2811