Tin Star to Tin Cup
Desert Sands to Lush Fairways – Historic Golf in Southern Arizona – Tucson to Tubac
A ride on horseback in the 1880’s, from Tucson to the Mexican border Barrio of Tubac, was a two-day journey with temperatures climbing to 46 degrees Celsius. On this passage, your constant companions would be five ancient mountain ranges and multi limbed 40-foot Saguaro cacti miraculously staking their rightful place on the dry desert floor and on the rugged cliffs of these primordial massifs.
Ever-present Chiricahua Apache Indians, under the leadership of Cochise and Geronimo, orchestrated relentless raids on early colonizers and myriad of Europeans searching for treasures of gold and silver. In the 1880s Southern Arizona was the ‘wild west’ and Tombstone was a notorious mining town that flourished from 1877 to 1929 with a population exceeding 10,000. A land of adversity and conflict it became the stage for desperados and law enforcers.
In 1881, hastily deputized, brothers Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp along with Doc Holliday became federal and local Marshalls with their ‘tin stars’ they were ‘the good guys’ in what became an overly documented gunfight known as the shootout at the OK Corral. Visit the infamous Boothhill Cemetery and sense the history and hardship of these early settlers.
Less than eighteen years later, in 1899, Arizona’s first golf course was constructed. Now known as the prestigious Phoenix Golf and Country Club the original layout consisted of sand fairways with oil soaked greens. Relocated several times, due to the constant expansion of the city’s limits, today’s permanent site was established in 1920.
Less than thirty minutes south of Tombstone and close the historical mining town of Bisbee a nine hole course was constructed, in 1908, adjacent to the border with Mexico in the hamlet of Naco. Miners, likely originating from the British Isles or the East Coast of the US, constructed Arizona’s oldest continually run nine-hole golf course, it to possessed sand fairways and oiled greens and now boasts one of America’s longest golf holes a 747 yards challenge even at Par 6.
Arizona’s boom in golf course construction commenced in the 1920’s following responsible management of water programs and the expansion of the railroad. Today, Arizona boasts over 300 courses and seventy-five between Tucson to the Mexican border.
Tucson’s earliest constructed and still operating course is the municipal Randolph Park. Now known as Randolph North, it was once a stop for the PGA and LPGA Tours and is currently one of five City operated courses and the longest course in their system. Playing at 6900 yards, the parkland-style layout opened in 1925 with sand fairways and cotton seed greens. It was grassed in 1936.
‘Putting on greens made of cotton seed hulls – refuse from Southern plantations – is the latest innovation in Southern golf ’ stated the Southwest Missourian newspaper in 1923. “Cotton seed hull greens can be built at an approximated expense of $25.00 – compared to grass greens that are being built at ‘fashionable courses’ for $10,000“.
In 1961 another eighteen hole course, Randolph South was opened and in 1996, following a complete redesign, by legendary course designer William Bell, it became the Randolph Dell Urich Course named after a local respected golf professional. The course has become a favorite to play as many holes feature spectacular views and dramatic elevation changes. At 6600 yards it features four tee boxes and was the former host of Tucson’s LPGA stop. These two courses are the second most played public courses in the United States after California’s Torrey Pines, also designed by Bell.
Another historic golf course to experience is El Rio. Owned by the City of Tucson since 1968, this course was built in 1930 and has been host to many of the world’s most recognized names. It was the original home for seventeen years the host of, the PGA’s Tucson Open.
Many of the worlds’ most recognized professionals have competed here. The legendary Jimmy Demaret won the title in 1946 and 1947, however in 1952 on the dogleg right 18th,, where a power fade will provide opportunity for a birdie, Demaret over executed his fade five times and walked off with a 14.
Designed by the father of William Bell, El Rio became Tucson’s first grassed course in 1936. A major restoration project was completed in 2004 and featured tighter fairways and small greens that added a premium on shot execution but the course still maintains that feeling of playing an ‘old course’. The course has many stories but of notable mention is when lady professional Babe Zaharias in 1945 marked the first time a woman made the cut in a PGA Tour event – finishing 42nd. It would be 58 years before another woman played at another PGA Tour event, Annika Sorenstam, at Colonial.
Though not considered a historical course per se, Arizona National occupies land nestled at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains and which was once the home of the Hobokom Indians. This is a course to be experienced. Robert Trent Jones Jr.in his design upheld the preservation of a 1,000-year-old dwelling site, incorporating the foundation into the green of the par 3- 12th hole and integrating the pond, once the watering hole for their livestock, as a natural water hazard.
Built in 1996, the 6,785- yard course lies adjacent to the remarkable Coronado National Forest. Jones Jr. immersed the natural landscape and scenery in his design that features nine natural springs and numerous mountain outcrops. From the tee box on the finishing par 5 18th hole, the green is 513 yards away with a descent of 200 feet. On a clear day you can see the mountains of Mexico. It has received the accolade ‘the best finishing hole in the State’ by several publications.
Heading from Tucson to Tubac, what once took two days by horse now takes 45 minutes travelling south along Highway 19. There are numerous historical sights and points of interest along the way. Most noteworthy and a short distance from Tucson’s International Airport, is Mission San Xavier de Bac, a designated natural historic landmark, known as the “White Dove of the Desert”. The site is a mecca for many and considered one of the finest examples of Mexican Baroque architecture in America. Founded in 1692 by Jesuit Missionary Father Kino, it’s one of a series of missions constructed to be a ‘one-day ride’ between each site.
Continuing south you pass through the Santa Cruz Valley and the community of Green Valley. Settled for close to two thousand years the flags of Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, and the State of Arizona have each staked their claim at one time on this fertile region. The community is now a haven for northern vacationers as the surrounding ancient mountains provide a perfect backdrop for the area’s six quality golf courses.
Twenty minutes further south on Highway 19, you reach the grounds of what USA Today stated is one of the “Ten Best Domestic Places to Escape the Cold’ – Tubac Golf Resort and Spa.
A prestigious member of the Historic Hotels of America the Tubac Resort has a rich history. In 1789, the King of Spain made a land grant to Don Torbio de Otero, who raised cattle and grew fruit to feed the Spanish army at the Presidio of Tubac. It became the largest cattle empire in Arizona.
In 1959, Bing Crosby and a few others purchased the property and began the process of creating a golf resort and spa. The original homestead and two silos are encapsulated in this charming resort, which would become host to many well-known celebrities. The likes of John Wayne and President Gerald Ford have photos hung at Stables Bar and Patio to commemorate their visits. Sitting on a saddle chair at the Bar is an option and a very comfortable way to enjoy a beverage or two.
The Resort features three nine-hole courses: Anza, Otero and Rancho. Each course is unique in its design with many holes providing lasting memories.
Anza is a favourite that features the par 3 9th – a distance of 123 yards and reminiscent to the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. With the Clubhouse’s patio nearby, its patrons look on and wager on the ability of the golfer not to put it in the moat that surrounds this small water besieged green.
A favorite on Otero is the ‘drivable’ par 4 – 9th at 287 yards from the Blue tees. It’s the definition of a ‘risk or reward’ shot as water protects the entire left side of the hole and a fairway, at the 230-yard distance, is less than 15 yards across.
Most famous on the Rancho course is the ‘Tin Cup’ hole in which Roy McIvoy [Kevin Costner] attempts to hit, on the 568-yard Par 5 4th Hole, a water-protected green in two while caddying for Don Johnson. Bets are placed with his playing opponents, Phil Mickelson and Craig Stadler, as commentators Peter Kostas and Gary McCord get in on the ‘action’. He makes it and promptly gets fired by Don Johnson.
Tin star lawman of the 1800’s to Tin Cup – from Tucson to Tubac, this is a region rich in history, golf and scenery and a unique way to experience the State of Arizona.
Michael Cunningham
Michael is a former producer and host for the show GolfRadio a syndicated program that
focused on the business of the game and unique travel destinations. He has interviewed
visionaries and personalities from around the globe and shared these experiences with
many respected publications.
Editor and senior writer of two bestselling books: Spectacular Golf of Western
Canada and Spectacular Golf Ontario. A regular contributor for ProShop Magazine/Golf
Industry Network and NBC’s Golf Channel as well as Great Golf Magazine, Winter Escapes and National Club Golfer.
Michael is an enthusiastic vintage hickory sticks player ‘preserving the traditions of the
game of golf.’
He can be reached through his Facebook and Instagram pages #golfandtravelwriter
