Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico: Review from Arizona Golf Guides
This expertly designed Arizona golf course makes the Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico one of the jewels of the Sonoran Desert’s golf scene. Fans of traditional layouts will be happy they made the short drive from Tucson to play this acclaimed layout.
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800-288-4746
1069 Camino Caralampi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
www.esplendor-resort.com
public
holes: 18
course par: 72
rating/slope:
- professional 73.0/132
- championship 71.1/128
- regular 68.9/124
- forward 70.9/128
range of yardages: 7,119–5,649
director of golf/club general manager: Jack Talmage
general manager of resort: David Miller
membership: $2,495 a year, single with cart
cart & green fees: summer $27 (a.m.), $21 (after 1 p.m.), winter $59 (a.m.), $35 (after 1 p.m.)
course designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
shoe policy: alternative cleats required
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With all of the great courses lying at the feet of local golfers, one may wonder why you'd make the 45-minute drive south of Tucson to the Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico.
Maybe the fact that Esplendor was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created 79 courses used for the US Open and other national championships.
Perhaps it’s because Esplendor served as a host site for the PGA Tour’s qualifying school, so you can tee off where the pros played. Quite possibly it’s because Esplendor’s traditional layout provides a departure from the desert and target golf that dominate Southern Arizona courses.
Conceivably it’s the weather. On average Rio Rico averages 5° cooler than Tucson, which helps keep the course lush and green.
Whatever the reason, you will find Esplendor a pleasure to play. Jones designed the course to accommodate the natural flow and contour of the topography. Built in 1973, the mature course feels in sync with its surroundings.
Though the course challenges all players, the wide, rye-grass fairways and lack of required carry off the tees is inviting.
The most challenging aspect is its quick bentgrass greens. Most are well guarded, occasionally by unusually large bunkers. Though not sharply tiered, the greens feature devilishly subtle, tricky-to-read breaks.
Although the front nine proves more challenging than the back, it offers stunning views and dramatic elevation changes. The more flat back half features the majority of the water holes, which come directly into play on three holes.
For a refreshing change from intimidating, ball-gobbling desert golf—and to experience a vintage facility created by the original master of course design—you’ll find this short drive south well worth it.
RICK SCHWARTZ
Explore Arizona to Find the Ideal Golf Resort for You
Free brochures are available from the Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico and many other Arizona golf resort properties through our site. Please take a few moments to request any you would like to see at no charge.
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