December golf in Tucson
is easy on the wallet
By Brendan McEvoy,
Contributing Editor
If being a serious golfer simply meant seeking out the world's greatest
courses on a daily basis, then life would be simple. But golfers are
consumers, most of whom are looking for the best deal.
It's no secret that desert golf isn't easy on the wallet. Find a course in
Scottsdale or Las Vegas with green fees under $80 and it's probably not
worth playing. But in Tucson, the desert is full of deals at quality courses
for the thrifty golfer. The common theme is "Play now, because in January
... whoa," everything goes up.
 The exception to that theme is Del Lago Golf Club. The 3-year old
course has matured with fabulous fairways and greens in great shape. The
Nugent Golf design is routed through desert and nine lakes with views of the
Rincon and Catalina Mountains. Monday through Thursday, 18 holes at Del Lago
cost $39 before noon, $24 after noon and only $20 after 2 p.m., cart
included. The first two rates jump $10 in January, and the twilight rate
only increases by $5.
But perhaps the best December deal is with IRI Golf Group's four courses --
San Ignacio, 49er Golf Club, Canoa Hills and Arizona National -- in
Green Valley. Purchase a Wildcat Trail card for $59, and a round of golf is
free the day you buy it. The purchase also includes a 25 percent discount at
any of the four courses through Dec. 31, a hat, bag tag and six days
(instead of five) to make advanced tee times. Conventional wisdom says the
card pays for itself after six rounds or less, depending on what venues are
chosen.
 San Ignacio and Canoa Hills have the same green fees through Dec. 18, $55
before 12:30 p.m., $40 after, cart included. After Dec. 18, the prices go up
to $72 and $56. With the card, those prices fall to $41.25 and $30 before
Dec. 18, and $54 and $42 after.
Fourty-Niner Golf Club is slghtly higher: prior to Dec. 18, $59 before 12:30
p.m. and $51after. After Dec. 18, the fees increase to $79 and $59,
respectively. The course has undergone key renovations in the last year,
including a remodeled golf shop, new cart paths and alterations on two
holes. The water problems it's had in the past have been cleared up.
But the deal really strikes home at IRI's flagship course in the Tucson
area, Arizona National (formerly The Raven at Sabino Lake). Arizona National
made Golf Digest's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" list. Until
Dec. 19 and on Monday through Thursday, it costs $75 to play Arizona
National, $95 on the weekend and $45 after 2 p.m. From Dec. 20 through
April, the cost jumps to $135 during the week, $165 on the weekend and $85
after 2 p.m. Obviously, the card saves the golfer more money at this
high-end tract.
For a weekend getaway, Tucson Omni National Resort-- annual home of
the PGA Tour's Tucson Open -- offers a competitive stay-and-play package.
For $109 room fee, golfers get free breakfast and a buy-one-get-one-free
coupon to walk the same fairways the best professional golfers will in
February. Green fees until Jan. 1 are $115, and $65 after 2 p.m.
With plenty of days left in December, now is the time to take advantage of
Tucson's best deals.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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