Omni National Tucson Resort: Review from Arizona Golf Guides
36 holes of superior golf await at the Omni National Tucson Resort. These tests, divided up into two courses, one traditional and one desert-style, make this property one of the best golf resorts in Arizona.
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520-297-2271
2727 W. Club Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85745
www.tucsonnational.com
semiprivate/resort
holes: 36
course par: Catalina 73 (72 for PGA Tour), Sonoran 70
rating/slope:
Catalina
- blue 75.4/136
- white 72.2/131
- red 73.1/131
- yellow 71.5/127
Sonoran
- blue 71/131
- white 68.4/125
- red 67.5/119
- yellow 64.5/106
range of yardages: 4,678–7,262
tournament director: Charlie Lujan
director of golf: Pat Miller
general manager: Danny Goldmann
membership: $32,000 initiation, $420 monthly dues
cart & green fees: summer $70 (hotel and outside guests), winter $185 (outside guest), $165 (hotel guest)
course designers: Robert Bruce Harris, Bruce Devlin (Catalina), Tom Lehman (Sonoran)
shoe policy: alternative cleats required
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The Omni Tucson National Resort has enjoyed a winning relationship with some of golf’s great names over the past four decades. As the host course for the Chrysler Classic of Tucson starting in 1965, Tucson National has witnessed championship performances from many of the game’s stars, including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, and Phil Mickelson.
Now Tucson National has added another big name to its resumé, but in a different role. Tom Lehman has designed a new desert-style course to complement the resort’s traditional parkland Catalina championship course. The Sonoran Course made its debut in December 2005.
For more than a decade, Tucson National has offered 27 holes. The old Green Nine has been joined by an additional nine holes on an undeveloped parcel along the eastern edge of the property.
Lehman, who has more than 15 course designs or redesigns under his belt, has accomplished his objectives with the new layout. He is utilizing and protecting natural washes and native vegetation, while creating a seamless appearance between the two parcels by fashioning a layout that will require golfers to hit a variety of shots. The challenge comes from strategic fairway bunkering and greens that present a variety of approach shots.
Lehman turned the old 500-yard, downhill par-5 Number 3 hole on the Green Nine into two holes, a 175-yard par 3 and a “risk/reward” short par 4. “It made two good golf holes out of one bad hole,” Lehman says. He also tweaked the championship course, moving and straightening out the par-5 Number 8 hole and relocating and lengthening the par-3 Number 7 hole. “The new Number 7 is 230 yards,” Lehman says. “The course needed one lengthy par 3.”
“With Tom Lehman’s signature, the new Sonoran Course has become a much-in-demand destination for golfers,” says Danny Goldmann, general manager.
Tucson National also boasted one of the toughest finishing holes on the PGA Tour. The 18th hole on the Catalina Course, a lengthy par 4 between two lakes, has decided many Tucson Opens. Years ago Palmer and Chuck Courtney came to Number 18 tied for the tournament lead in the final round. Both found water off the tee. Palmer made a double bogey and still won by a stroke.
Tucson National Resort was awarded 4.5 stars from Golf Digest 2008-09 for “Best Places to Play.” The Four-star, Four-diamond resort is undergoing a major multi-year transformation. Visitors to the resort will find a new golf shop, membership facilities, new restaurants, including an upscale chic steakhouse, and new mountain view guestrooms. From Legends Bar & Grill, one can watch others do battle with the famed 18th hole.
JACK RICKARD
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