Tucson, Az. Courses

[jez]

Going to be in Tucson Oct 5 to 7th and looking to play a few rounds. Any course recommendations? Willing to travel up about 40 miles. Most of the courses I looked at are closed for over seeding. Staying at Star Pass.

P.S. How about a few good places for dinner? Thanks

[Arizonalefty59]

I live right next to Starr Pass, about 1/2 mile down the road. That resort is pretty spectacular. I'll list my recommendations but I have no idea as to what the overseer schedules are for any of them.

In order:
1) Starr Pass, simply because you are staying there and it'll give you a taste of pure desert golf. Hell of a test.
2) The Gallery, I believe the South course is public. Awesome, awesome course.
3) Dove Mountain, super long, challenging and fun.
4) Sewailo, not your everyday Arizona course
5) Ventana Canyon Mountain course


Haven't really been able to try out to many restaurants but there are more Mexican restaurants down here than you can even imagine. My favorite place down here is a burger joint called Lindy's on 4th.

[jlbos83]

For an interesting meal, try Cafe Poca Cosa. It's Mexican, but NOT burritos and tacos. A good value, and amazing food. And not too far from Starr Pass, besides!

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='jez' timestamp='1411489899' post='10169423']
Going to be in Tucson Oct 5 to 7th and looking to play a few rounds. Any course recommendations? Willing to travel up about 40 miles. Most of the courses I looked at are closed for over seeding. Staying at Star Pass.
P.S. How about a few good places for dinner? Thanks
[/quote]

The timing of your visit will be affected by the overseed. Check out the schedule and see if you can find any courses that will start the process AFTER your visit. Otherwise look for places that started earliest. Unfortunately, conditions will typically be sketchy after reopening. There are however, some courses with bent greens - so if you can find one of those, your experience will be much better.

[url]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1080163-2014-arizona-overseed-schedule/[/url]

[jez]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check the reseed schedule and figure something out. We'll also check out Lindy's and Poca Cosa. Thanks again

[jez]

What about the Golf Club at Vistoso. They're not seeding until after Oct 7th.

[teejaywhy]

That's a pretty good choice. It is generally regarded as one of the top public options in Tucson.

It may be a bit dry and they usually start to scalp the fairways the week before closing but IMO, far preferable to soggy, cart path only and shaggy greens typical of a course with just a few weeks of grow-in.

[Arizonalefty59]

[quote name='jez' timestamp='1411646920' post='10180523']
What about the Golf Club at Vistoso. They're not seeding until after Oct 7th.
[/quote]
Good choice and I think the rates out there right now are super cheap.

[jez]

Booked the Golf Club at Vistoso for Sunday, super cheap rates. And Dove Mountain for Tuesday. Starr Pass was cart path only so they must have already seeded. Thanks for the help

[Arizonalefty59]

[quote name='jez' timestamp='1411730747' post='10187415']
Booked the Golf Club at Vistoso for Sunday, super cheap rates. And Dove Mountain for Tuesday. Starr Pass was cart path only so they must have already seeded. Thanks for the help
[/quote]
Stay out of the desert at Dove Mountain, some of the gnarliest wildlife you will ever find on an Arizona course.

[oldschooltarheel]

Ventana is a fabulous place… I enjoy both courses, (prefer the Canyon) and the Flying V is a great place to eat…. try the guacamole..

[Arizonalefty59]

If anyone wants to play an odd/cool course, then hit up Quarry Pines. Super, super narrow with a couple demanding par 3's. It just came off overseed so the greens are a little trashy but worth it for $25 IMO.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='oldschooltarheel' timestamp='1411825392' post='10194027']
Ventana is a fabulous place… I enjoy both courses, (prefer the Canyon)...
[/quote]

Not a fan of the Canyon course. It's a nice cart ride, interrupted on occasion by golf holes.

[Jefe21]

Where did you end up playing? Sorry I missed this as Ive played probably 80% of Tucson courses. Which is a lot because we have 70+

Cant believe no one mentioned AZ National

[jlbos83]

Has AZ National recovered well then? The last I played it was just before it closed a couple summers ago, and it was in really bad shape. I hopes it is back, it's really a beautiful site and an interesting course.

[Arizonalefty59]

Since I've been living in Tucson for the past 3 months, I can honestly say Tucson golf is better than the Valley by far. There are so many different options and all of the golf is super cheap. If I don't find anything at an upscale course for cheap, El Rio is my back up course where it's always less than $20 and about a mile away from my apartment.

Just wish I could find a course that offers like an all day range practice are where you can hit wedges from like 75 yards and in. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Jefe21]

[quote name='jlbos83' timestamp='1414169098' post='10344613']Has AZ National recovered well then? The last I played it was just before it closed a couple summers ago, and it was in really bad shape. I hopes it is back, it's really a beautiful site and an interesting course.[/quote]
I havent been since April but its been in great shape for the past year and a half or so. Just came off overseed Oct 13th so I imagine its in excellent shape right now. I believe new management as well. One of my favorite courses to play. I dont think Ill get there this weekend but probably next weekend.

Niners is also about to be in the best shape its been in. Played there Wednesday and the grass just needs some trimming. They just got electric carts as well. So much money going into that facility right now.

[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1414171302' post='10344775']Since I've been living in Tucson for the past 3 months, I can honestly say Tucson golf is better than the Valley by far.[/quote]
Tucson golf has got to be in the top 10 in the country. So many options

[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1414171302' post='10344775']Just wish I could find a course that offers like an all day range practice are where you can hit wedges from like 75 yards and in. Anyone have any suggestions?[/quote]
Vistoso has a few targets under 75 yds. Ventana has a good range but not a lot of targets under 75yds. I have spent hours there hitting hundreds of balls in one sitting. Tip the starter and you are good to go. Enke is not bad plus you can bring your own balls which is cool.

You might check with Practice Tee on something like that. Id also look into the Saddlebrooke/Oro Valley courses. Lots of nice range setups

[Arizonalefty59]

Headed out to play Starr Pass in a little. Got it for $26, I'll post some pics.

[jlbos83]

Good to hear that AZ National is in good shape. And 49er! I played just before they closed, and then a couple times after they got bought, it was coming back, but kind of rough. Then it seemed to dip for a while, so I went other places.

I have been really impressed at the condition of El Rio, actually in pretty good shape all summer long, and getting really nice now.

Has anyone got any good info on when/whether San Ignacio is going to reopen? And any current update on the conditions at Rio Rico? It was so close to getting good, then seemed to take a bit of a nose dive!

But on the whole, I have a hard time imaging a better combination of choice and value than we have in and around Tucson.

[teejaywhy]

I played Rio Rico about this time last year. Bunkers and greens were awful. And I'm not one who is particularly delicate about conditioning. It is a wonderful layout and the price was right, but it needs some TLC (as of Nov 2013 anyway).

[jlbos83]

That about the last time I played Rio Rico, as well. It was one of my regular spots, such a good value, but the conditions made it less and less worthwhile. I may head down there in the next few weeks and see what's up!

[teejaywhy]

A couple of other south of Tucson courses on my radar, have you played them?

Canoa Ranch in Green Valley (not to be confused with Canoa Hills) - it's a Schmidt & Curley design, I really like their work at Southern Dunes and Wildfire.

Kino Springs near Nogales. An old school Red Lawrence layout from the 60's that I want to play before it disappears. Stopped in for a look-see one time and what I could see looks interesting. Really neat hacienda style clubhouse. Bent greens. Totally deserted on a spring Sunday when I visited though.

[Jefe21]

Canoa Ranch was fun and is usually cheap. Very nice soft greens. Some tough holes though like 11 where you have to place 2 shots perfectly just to have a chance at the green. Great views out there

 

 

 

Also played Torres Blancas down there. They usually include a meal with their rounds. I think they had a 600+ yard par 5

 

Has anyone got any good info on when/whether San Ignacio is going to reopen? And any current update on the conditions at Rio Rico? It was so close to getting good, then seemed to take a bit of a nose dive!

 

Not on this list for some reason:

 

http://golfmix.com/2...eding-schedule/

[herbygolf21]

Lindy's is the best burger anywhere. I travel the country, and nothing beats it!

[divebreck]

[quote name='jlbos83' timestamp='1414601551' post='10368509']
Good to hear that AZ National is in good shape. And 49er! I played just before they closed, and then a couple times after they got bought, it was coming back, but kind of rough. Then it seemed to dip for a while, so I went other places.

I have been really impressed at the condition of El Rio, actually in pretty good shape all summer long, and getting really nice now.

Has anyone got any good info on when/whether San Ignacio is going to reopen? And any current update on the conditions at Rio Rico? It was so close to getting good, then seemed to take a bit of a nose dive!

But on the whole, I have a hard time imaging a better combination of choice and value than we have in and around Tucson.
[/quote]
They have not seeded San Ignacio so chances are not going to open. Canoa Ranch has only been partially done (not sure whats happening there). Last time I went to Rio Rico which was late in the summer, I took out my gap wedge and added a weed whacker!!

[jlbos83]

Disappointing to hear that about San Ignacio! I had seen a banner ad on Golf Now saying they were going to open in the fall...but fall is here, and they are not! It is one of my favorites, especially the back nine.

I enjoy Canoa Ranch, as well. It has a lot of interesting holes. The eleventh (in the picture above) is a bear, at least the tee shot is downhill! But long and you are in that ditch. Then the second shot, and another ditch! But some shorter par 4's, and 6 par threes, it's interesting.

I havn't been to Kino Springs recently, but I like it as well. I don't know for sure, but I think it must have been nine holes, and then had the middle nine added. They are a different style over different terrain. I need to get back down there!

[Arizonalefty59]

While everyone in the Valley is getting hammered by the high rates, I'm playing Dove Mountain for $27 including tax tomorrow.

[fore_life]

[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1415159249' post='10399041']
While everyone in the Valley is getting hammered by the high rates, I'm playing Dove Mountain for $27 including tax tomorrow.
[/quote]

But you have to live in Tucson

[Arizonalefty59]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1415161476' post='10399139']
[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1415159249' post='10399041']
While everyone in the Valley is getting hammered by the high rates, I'm playing Dove Mountain for $27 including tax tomorrow.
[/quote]

But you have to live in Tucson
[/quote]
Literally went out to the 7/11 down the street and there were 8 cop cars surrounding a house yelling through the intercom telling the guy to come out or the dog is going in. That was like an hour ago lol.

It's my B Day tomorrow, had to play my favorite course in AZ.

[fore_life]

Happy birthday dude!