The Courses of the Tucson Open

December 13, 1998
TUCSON, Az - The Tucson Open is the ninth oldest tournament on the PGA Tour. First played on January 19-21, 1945, at El Rio Golf Club, it has toured through five of Tucson's most challenging courses. Over the years, every "big name" in modern golf history has competed. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, and Jack Nicklaus all played but never won. Arnold Palmer rewarded "Arnie's Army" with a victory in 1967. Lee Trevino gratified "Lee's Fleas" with wins in '69 and '70. "The Desert Fox," Johnny Miller, won three in a row from 1974 to 1976 and added a fourth in 1981. Recently, the tournament has acted as a launching pad for great young players who recorded their first wins here: Lee Janzen in 1992, three-time winner Phil Mickelson in 1991 as an amateur, then in 1995 and 1996. This year, David Duval's victory helped kick off his great season and propelled him into one of the game's elite.

El Rio Golf Club hosted the Tucson Open from 1945 to 1962. The flat, straightforward holes are still reminiscent of the course style back then. Tree-lined fairways emphasize accuracy off the tee. Greens elevated two-feet for drainage are firm, making it difficult to stop the ball. However, they're small, so if you hit the green, you'll have a good birdie opportunity. A par 70-design, both nines culminate in a reachable par 5. The 524-yard 18th provides an exciting finishing hole. With a severe dogleg right at 170 yards, a controlled slice is required. If played correctly you can have as little as 200 yards in for a possible eagle. In 1952, a Tucson student, Buddy Sullivan had an 18-foot putt for eagle, to shoot 59 and set the PGA scoring record. Instead, he three-putted, but still holds El Rio's scoring record at 61.

In 1963, the Tucson Open moved to 49er's Country Club. Though only held there two years, it proved to be a memorable site. In 49er's inaugural year, Don January became the first wire-to-wire victor in Tucson Open history, and did so in impressive fashion, winning by 11 strokes. 22-under par at this par 72-layout is incredible. 49er's narrow fairways are lined with trees and out-of-bounds stakes. There are many difficult long iron approaches, and the greens are well protected by bunkers. Good scores are possible, but January's four days in the 60's including two 65's is astounding.

The Tucson Open first visited Tucson National Golf Resort, its current site, from 1965 to 1978. During those 14 years the tournament welcomed "Arnie's Army," "Lee's Flea's" and "The Desert Rat" to town. The tournament, co-hosted by Starr Pass, returned to Tucson National with a thriller in 1993. Masters winner Larry Mize had a blazing putter on the backside and pinpoint accuracy with his irons, pulling ahead on the crowded leaderboard.

Tucson National is one of southern Arizona's most beautiful courses. The exquisite use of water challenges each player's shot-making skills. If those shots are executed properly then the course can be taken advantage of. The recently replaced greens came in stronger, providing even truer rolls, so watch for Larry Mize's pure putting stroke again this year.

PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beaman moved the tournament to Randolph North Golf Course in 1981. Ticket sales jumped 18 percent and host Joe Garagiola dubbed this "The People's Tournament." Tucsonans who watched the event saw what a fine municipal course they had, and following the tournament Randolph set records for rounds played. Now, Randolph North and the adjacent Dell Urich course are the second most played public golf location in the country. Randolph North continues in the Midwestern style of tree-lined fairways and straightaway holes. It's a long course and very well maintained.

Each year from 1987 to 1996 Starr Pass Golf Resort either hosted or co-hosted the Tucson Open. In 1991, it served as 21-year old Phil Mickelson's coming out party. In winning by one shot he became the youngest player ever to win on Tour, and he was still an amateur. Starr Pass is a very challenging desert golf course. Miss the fairway and you're in the desert. This is exemplified on hole #3. In 1996, the 430-yard par 4 was the hardest hole on Tour. A slight dogleg left demands an accurate tee shot. The green is elevated, small, and shallow, with two bunkers and desert eager to penalize errant shots. The stroke average in 1996 was 4.66, higher than easy par 5's.

The Tucson Open has helped Tucson's golfing industry by showing off these excellent courses not only to Tucsonans but to the world.