I’ve lived in Phoenix for eight years, but until recently I’d never spent much time in Arizona’s other major city, Tucson, just a two-hour drive from my home.
But that eventually changed when I got the chance to play my first Tucson golf at the Omni Tucson National Resort & Spaa sprawling property nestled in the scenic foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, making for a truly stunning backdrop. The resort features two championship golf courses: the Catalina Course and the Sonoran Course.
The Catalina is a park-style course that made its debut in 1961 and hosted both the PGA Tour’s Tucson Open and the PGA Tour Champions’ Cologuard Classic from 2015 to 2023.
The Catalina has an old-fashioned look and was in beautiful condition thanks to the sown rye grass fairways. I was particularly impressed with the 374 yard par-4 3rd hole, a dogleg left requiring an accurate tee shot, with water problems on the left and trees on the right; and the 170-yard par-3 4th, a beautifully crafted hole that requires a significant amount of water. The challenging finishing hole of the Catalina, a par 4 of 443 meters surrounded by two lakes, was once one of the toughest on the Tour. I could see why! The landing area between the two bodies of water requires a good tee shot And a good approach. And the elevated green offers no respite, with a bunker at the front and back and deep, rough shots to prevent foul shots.
For a true desert-style golf experience, there’s Catalina’s sibling, the Sonoran Course, which was designed by Tom Lehman in 2005. I loved the multitude of holes with sweeping desert vistas and dramatic elevation changes, especially the picturesque par-3 3rd of 183 yards, which is an extremely fun tee shot to hit; and the 453-yard par-4 9th. The beautiful layout features a total of 69 bunkers, so it’s a wise strategy to hone your sand game before your tee time.
Courtesy of Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa
After golfing, resort guests can enjoy a variety of activities, such as a dip in the resort’s infinity pool, a visit to the full-service spa or a meal at one of the luxurious dining options. Off-site adventures include horseback riding, desert jeep tours, group cattle drives, hot air ballooning and even gold panning excursions.
My favorite post-golf activity is a cold drink and snack on the patio, and the on-site Legends Sports Bar offers fantastic views of Catalina’s 18th green and some of the best ‘Crisp Cauliflower’ I’ve ever had, served with apricot sesame glaze and scallion.
It’s hard to find a better winter golf destination than Arizona, and for anyone looking for a getaway that ticks all the boxes, the golf experience at Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa more than delivers.
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