The Tubac Golf Resort & Spa has 27 holes of championship golf, and is where the world famous golf movie Tin Cup was filmed. (www.tubacgolfresort.com) The ANZA NINE is named after Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II who was the commandant of the Tubac Presidio for sixteen years in the late 18th century. He is most famous for leading an expedition across the deserts to the Pacific, ultimately founding the city of San Francisco.
Featuring stunningly beautiful views of the Santa Ritas, the first five holes are among those added in 2006. The par 5 fifth, with numerous bunkers and strategically placed water hazards, is highlighted by a view of the green reminiscent of the 12th at Augusta National; Welcome to Tubac’s Amen Corner! The nine finishes with the famous par 3 island green, conjuring up images of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
Players failing to reach the green risk the ridicule of fellow golfers, as well as that of the resident cows and nearby spectators enjoying the always popular patio at Stables Bar. The RANCHO NINE is named after a sister course in Cave Creek, Arizona, Rancho Manana. Requiring first and last drives to carry the Santa Cruz River, featuring the famous Tin Cup par five and the infamous Tubac Triangle, Rancho is an adventure! Several scenes from Tin Cup were filmed along the way, including the ‘break every club but the 7-iron’ scene, filmed at #3 tee box and the ‘goad Craig Stadler into going for the green in two and then get fired by Don Johnson scene on the par 5 #4, which is memorialized by the Tin Cup Lake plaque.
You will find the plaque only if you hit into the lake and take a drop! The Triangle is simply a bear. From the tips you have, in order, a 454 yard par 4, a 254 yard (!!) par 3 and a 651 yard par 5 (the Trainwreck). Even playing from the blues the distances are daunting. And of course there is a lake guarding the Par 5 green from 125 yards out all the way in. Add all of this up with a very wilderness feel and you have an exciting, picturesque and very challenging golf adventure, and a lasting memory.
The OTERO NINE is named for the Otero family who were the original settlers of the property, first receiving a Spanish land grant in 1789. A parkland feel highlights the experience as the fairways meander through some of the original homes and casitas of the resort providing a lush, manicured atmosphere. Water plays a big part along the way as ponds front the greens on holes 5 and 8 and a lake runs the entire length of the fairway on 9. A very playable and enjoyable nine holes for all