Golf Destinations
Tucson: Ventana Canyon Golf Resort – Canyon Course By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012
V
isual splendor, all-natural design, unusual tranquility and perfect conditioning make this a rewarding experience.
We decided to try something different than the usual Scottsdale on our Arizona get-away. Our trip to Tucson included a much-anticipated visit to the venerable Ventana Canyon Golf Club. The views, tranquility and conditioning at this semi-private club are stunning. Two hours southeast of the Phoenix airport on Interstate Highway 10, it’s only 30 mins off the freeway in northern Tucson at the base of the Santa Catalina mountains. We checked into the incredible Lowes Ventana Canyon Golf Resort which allows access to the private courses. Jonathan Tisch, the CEO of Lowes, took a personal interest to build a resort which incorporated the fragile plant and animal habitat rather than spoiling that balance. None of the 3,500 saguaro cacti on the property were destroyed, and all riparian habitats are intact. Opening in 1984 it was the “first environmentally conceived resort in North America” according to Architectural Digest. Architect Tom Fazio masterfully integrated the golf courses into the ecosystem of the area. Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club comprises two acclaimed 18-hole courses. Mountain Course is #16 in Arizona on Golf Magazines ranking, while the Canyon Course is #25. They incorporate the member clubhouse into the AAA four-diamond Lodge at Ventana Canyon providing guest access to these magnificent golf courses. A separate shop at Loews Resort makes it easier to manage tee times and shop for golf apparel. At present, the courses alternate daily between member play and resort play. The size of the well-manicured practice range is immense which allows them to maintain the excellent turf conditions on the range. We spent hours tuning up our game on the range and a well-groomed short game area.
The Canyon Course
We played the Canyon course gold tees (6299 yards) on a pleasant 65-degree day. Five sets of teeing grounds plus three combo yardages on the card provide eight course-length options. Conditioning is impeccable. The grainy greens have a meaningful impact on break and speed. Also, elevation changes and distances between holes make a cart a necessity. Despite firm and fast greens, it was difficult to get the ball to the hole going against the grain. Subtle breaks on these large greens combined with the impact of the grain caused three threeputts on the outward nine. Learning that enabled four one-putts on the back side. When Fazio added fairway bunkers, they were usually on one-side to protect a dogleg. The green-side bunkers can be steep. We found the variety of long holes and short holes refreshing as no two holes seemed similar. We love courses that incorporate short Par 4s for the risk/reward options. We found three short Par 4s around 300 yards. A birdie to start the back nine at the 314-yard dogleg right Par 4 Hole #10 was a good start. The front nine and the back nine of the Canyon course
Golf House – An Oasis
are separated by the Mountain course. Hence, the distance from the ninth green to the tenth tee is significant. We would never have found it without the printed directions available near the ninth green. With four short/medium length Par 3s, inevitably, there would be two long Par 4s. Regardless, after a well-struck drive and 4-hybrid, I rolled in a six-foot putt for a birdie on the 452-yard Par 4 Hole #15. That was sweet. As shown in the photo, a three-shot finishing Par 5 has the green framed by the Loews Resort and the hillside. A gap wedge to three feet completed a three birdie back nine. If it weren’t for some serious tree trouble on the seventeen that resulted in a triple bogey, this would have been an incredible back nine for this golfer. Dazzling mountain views are everywhere. We will be back to play the Mountain course and stay in The Lodge. A mix of demanding Par 4s and short, intriguing Par 4s coupled with the visual splendor, tranquility, and perfect conditioning make this an easy decision. See high resolution photos and this course profile on the website at www.quintessentialgolf.com/destinations/ventana-canyon-golf.
If You Go:
Course Info: The Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club is a semiprivate club with 36 holes comprising the Canyon and Mountain 18-hole courses. Guests of the Lodge and adjacent Loews hotel enjoy access to the golf courses. Access alternates between resort play and member play each day. Fees: Winter: $159 am, $99 noon, $79 2pm Yardage: Five sets of tees span from 4939 yards to 6836 yards (71.9/139). Location - In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. About 115 miles south of the Phoenix airport and 20 miles north of the Tucson airport. Lodging - The clubhouse is in the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. The separate Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is next to the course.
Quintessential Golf (https://www.quintessentialgolf.com)
A source of golf travel inspiration, Quintessential Golf online magazine spotlights the most spectacular, enduring and scenic courses, resorts and golf adventures. Written from a player’s point-of-view, articles include magnificent high-resolution course images. Brought to you by Chuck Fox, single-digit golfer, writer and photographer based in Danville, California, he is fulfilling his passion and dream to play, photograph and share the romance and beauty of golf throughout North America. BLACKHAWK LIVING 11
