GOLF IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY!!!!

 

      

Golf in Santa Cruz County offers much more than the ongoing battle to make par. It also provdes a quick lesson in the native vegetation and desert critters that inhabit many of the area's courses, from majestic mountains to our beautiful green grasslands. Not to mention the wonderful sense of history these golf courses provide. You might be playing at a course designed by the great Robert Trent Jones Sr. Or play the same course where movie star Stewart Granger used to own it's ranch and have its frequent visitor John Wayne.

 

And if you've booked a tee time, don't worry about the weather. There may be only five days a year when the courses are out of play.

 

 

Kino Springs Golf Club 

 

NOGALES                                                                                   Â

520-287-8701

187 Kino Aprings Dr.

Nogales, AZ 85621

http://www.kinospringsgc.com/

 

Kino Springs Golf Course is located on the historic Estancia Yerba Buena Ranch, right in the middle of ranching country. You’ll find waving grasslands studded with mesquite and oaks under a vast blue sky and cottonwoods along the Santa Cruz River. Lying on a major North American flyway, Kino Springs is well known to savvy birdwatchers. You’re likely to see flycatchers, orioles, kingfishers, gray hawks, and many more.

 

Just north of Nogales on the back road to Patagonia, has two distinct looks. The first four holes are flat and wide open. Then you play nine holes once described as "a trip to the moon." The driver may stay in the bag during this nine. Then you finish with another five holes that are flat and wide open. The clubhouse at Kino Springs was once the ranch house of movie star Stewart Granger. It has a John Wayne cabin, as he was a frequent visitor.

 

18 holes, par 71, 6,506 yards, rating/slope 71.5/131. Three sets of tees offer variable levels of play, while rolling terrain, mesquites, pines, and bentgrass greens create a pleasant natural environment.

 

 

Palo Duro Creek Golf Club

 

NOGALES                                                          Â               

520-377-2708

2690 N. Country Club Dr.

Nogales, AZ 85621

 

Built on historic Simmons Ranch Built on the historic Simmons Ranch, the Palo Duro Creek Golf Course is laid out in desert canyons and foothills, and finishes with three holes bordering one of Arizona's few natural wetlands. The course has classic high desert vegetation and year-round water that attracts many species of rare birds and other wildlife.

 

The golf course is in someway split into two both possess panoramic views of the Santa Rita & San Cayetano Mountains. The first half are called the Canyon Course and the back is called Lakes Course, water coming into play in five of those nine holes. These courses also attract many rare species of birds, so bring your binoculars if you're so inclined.

 

Palo Duro Creek Golf Course offers 18 holes, par 72, 7,000 yards, rating/slope 72.7/133. Enjoy cooler temperatures at this Nogales golf course while you play the recently upgraded greens!

 

 

Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico Golf

 

RIO RICO                                                                                           

520-281-1901

1069 Camino Caralampi

Rio Rico, AZ 85648

http://www.esplendor-resort.com

 

Esplendor Resort at Rio rico has one of the best, overall golf course layouts in Southern Arizona. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.in 1973, who created 79 courses used for the US Open and other national championships. On an average Rio Rico averages 5 degrees cooler than Tucson, which helps keep the course lush and green.

 

Though the course challenges all players, the wide, rye grass fairways and lack of required carry off the tees is inviting. The Esplendor Golf Course offers splendid views of the Santa Cruz River Valley from desert views to fields of gorgeous grasslands; as well as, dramatic elevation changes.

 

The Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico is and 18 hole golf course, par 72, 7,119 yards, rating/slope 73.0/132. This course ranks among Arizona's top 25 public courses where its challenging 18 holes go through vibrant cottonwoods and rolling hills.

 

 

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa

TUBAC

520-398-2211

1 Otero Rd.

Tubac, AZ 85646

http://www.tubacgolfresort.com

 

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa is filled with great history. It was opened nearly 50 years ago, Bing Crosby was a members of the ownership group. The Tubac Golf Resort & Spa dates back to 1789 when it was a cattle ranch. The property spans the ages in every way, from its 200 year-old Otero House and ranch buildings of which many still exist, to it moder- day revision. Designed in 1959 by renowned golf course architect Red Lawrence and in 2006 Kevin Kavanaugh with is vision designed the additional nine holes making a current total of 27 holes. The Number 4 hole known as the Tin Cup hole probably gets the most acclaim, as it served as one of the movie sets for golf flick starring Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, and Cheech Marin.

 

This tranquil retreat nestled between the Santa Rita Mountains and Tumacacori Mountains has never looked better. All 27 hole lie between beatiful sceneries with cottonwood trees, mesquite groves, and green hillsides.

 

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa has 27 holes, par 71/71/72, 6,870 yards, rating 69.9/71.5/71.7, slope 124/127/131. Beautiful views, tranquility, and the thrive in playing at a championship course!