COURSE
REVIEW
Spring in
Arizona filled with
baseball and golf
By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer
TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 6, 2003) -- This town is so used to playing second fiddle to Phoenix, it barely notices the music anymore. In fact, the Old Pueblo has made it its life's mission to be the "anti Valley of the Sun," whether it's touting its environs (smaller city, bigger mountains), its university (better basketball team, larger endowments), and even its Cactus League squads (fewer teams, bigger stars.)
There is one thing that Phoenix and Tucson have in common this time of year, however: the magical countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training. Anyone who has ever ducked out of the office on a weekday afternoon to bask in the sun of a minor-league ballpark will tell you without hesitation that there is nothing better. Doesn't matter if the office was on Central Ave. in Phoenix or on Stone Ave. in Tucson.
Oh, and throw in 18 holes on some sublime desert track in the morning to make it a true Southern Arizona rite of passage. Just don't expect your job to be waiting for you when you get back.
The Teams and Stadiums
The
Arizona Diamondbacks: World Series champs from two years ago
continue to retool their roster around All-Star starting pitchers
Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. The snakes traded homegrown
talent Erubio Durazo but signed all their arbitration eligible
players and continue to work on contract extensions for Johnson
and outfielder Luis Gonzalez. Arizona recently shored up its bullpen
with the addition of relievers Manny Aybar, Ricky Battalico, Mike
Jackson, and Ron Villone. Stadium: Tucson Electric Park. Atmosphere:
new park with crisp lines, good eats and a terrible location south
of downtown.
The Chicago White Sox: Tucson's oldest MLB Spring Training tenant is poised for a run at the top spot in the American League Central. First
baseman Paul Konerko is coming off his best offensive season and continues to develop into one of the better hitters in the A.L. The Chi-Sox added former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Rick White to the bullpen, picked up free-agent Brian Daubach from the Red Sox, and resigned closer Billy Koch to a two-year, $10.65 million contract. Stadium: Tucson Electric Park. Atmosphere: See above.
The Colorado Rockies: Flirted with the idea of trading long-time right fielder Larry Walker, but eventually stood pat. Acquired stud prospect Luke Allen from the Dodgers for Jason Romano and added veteran lefty Darren Oliver to the Spring Training roster. Strengthened infield with free agent signing of All-Star shortstop Jose Hernandez from the Milwaukee Brewers. Stadium: Hi Corbett Field. Atmosphere: older park with intimate setting amid lush park just five minutes from downtown.
The
Golf Courses
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon: Ventana is the crown jewel of Tucson golf, and the resort features
two splendid Tom Fazio designed layouts in the Mountain and Canyon
courses. The Mountain course, with its par-3, third hole being the "most
photographed hole west of the Mississippi," is the most sought-after
play at the Lodge. But the Canyon Course is just as popular among locals
and Lodge employees. Both courses play through the craggy foothills
of Santa Catalina Mountains and feature incredible views and a good
sampling of desert target golf.
Web site: The
Lodge at Ventana Canyon
Course review: The
Ultimate Arizona Experience
Next Day tee times: Click
here for unsold Tee Times
Book here
Call 1-866-444-0992
The Westin La Paloma: La Paloma is home to three nine-hole Jack Nicklaus designed
courses, and yes, they were all built in the 80s during the Golden
Bear's "impossible par, easy bogey" stage. Difficulty aside, the
Hill, Ridge, and Canyon layouts are widely recognized as some
of the best desert golf tracks in southern Arizona. In typical
Nicklaus fashion, greens are large and overcooked with undulation,
and fairway landing areas are generous and visible from the tees.
Tee times: 1-866-444-0992
Web site: The
Westin La Paloma
Course review: La
Paloma Country Club
The
Golf Club at Vistoso: Paloma and Ventana are golf resorts,
but the Golf Club at Vistoso is just a golf course - but man, what
a golf course. This Tom Weiskopf-designed layout was a readers write-in, Golf Magazine's
Top 100 you can play four years ago, and is a "sneaky" favorite
among locals and visitors alike. The layout is nowhere near as
penal as Ventana or La Paloma, and if you can find better greens
in Tucson, let us know. Take note of the 166-yard, par-3 third
hole - on a clear day (there are only 323 of them) you will catch
an amazing view of the north side of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Tee times: 1-866-444-0992
Web Site: The
Golf Club at Vistoso
Course review:
Golf Club at Vistoso
Arizona National: Arizona National, formerly The
Raven at Sabino Springs, is one of the newer high end daily fee
desert courses in Tucson, and one of the best. Designed by Robert Trent
Jones Jr., the course is routed through arroyos, rock outcroppings and
more saguaros that you can shake a putter at. Test your desert golf
mettle by playing the course from the back tees, where it weighs in
at nearly 7,000 yards. The par-3 fourth hole overlooks the entire city
and provides vistas reaching to Mexico on a clear day. Arizona National
is a favorite among Arizona Diamondback players when the team is in
town for spring training and is the home course of the University of
Arizona's men's and women's golf teams.
Web Site: Arizona
National
Course reviews:
- Raven
Golf Club at Sabino Springs
- Raven
Golf Club Review - Hole Profile: No. 11
- Raven
Golf Club Review - Plenty to Hold Your Interest
Next Day tee times: Click
here for unsold Tee Times
Book
here
Call 1-866-444-0992
Extended Stay and Play
|
Book here
Call 1-866-444-0992
Starr Pass: Once a TPC course that was the sister site of the
Tucson Open, Starr
Pass is on the rise again after a few lean years. Craig Stadler
designed the course, and a number of the holes had PGA players and duffers
scratching their heads.
Book here
Call 1-866-444-0992
Tubac Golf Resort: Used for the opening rounds of the movie
Tin Cup. Traditional Red Lawrence designed course 40 miles south of
Tucson in the village of Tubac. Worth every minute of the drive, the
course is traditional, playable, affordable, memorable and under new
ownership.
Book here
Call 1-866-444-0992
Where
to Eat
Daisy Mae's Steakhouse - located out Anklam Road just west of the Starr Pass entrance. Best ribs in the state fall off the bone. Old West atmosphere with wooden floors and walls, complete with a gas fire out on the porch.
Rosa's - Some of the best Sonoran Mexican food in Tucson, and it is located right in the heart of a shopping center on the way to the foothills (on the southwest corner of Campbell and Ft. Lowell). Best Margaritas and chile colorado in town.
El Minuto - Favorite among downtown locals. Located at the northern edge of Barrio Historico, El Minuto is known for its hearty soups and carne seca (dried beef flavored with onions and garlic.)
Little Abners Steakhouse - located out in the sticks, LAS is a must chow if you have the time. Head out Silverbell Road towards Marana, and you will ultimately run into the best steaks in town.
El Terrero - head down to South Tucson for a taste of Mexico and Mexican food. Located on a small side street, El Terrero is known mainly to locals. Check out their famous cheese crisp, and savory chimichangas.
