Tucson, Arizona Golf Vacations

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe knew they wanted to work within the land and honor its natural gifts and wonders when it came to designing a golf course. They hired fellow native american, Notah Begay, a Navajo and Pueblo who has made his name both as a player on the PGA Tour, a commentator on NBC television and The Golf Channel, and as a noted golf course designer, to help carve the world from the high Sonoran Desert just south of the resort. Sewailo, meaning "flower world" in the Pascua Yaqui language, blends the native landscape with picturesque lakes and streams. This challenging course measures 7,400 yards from the championship tees, with 5 different tee boxes on each hole to allow for players of all abilities.

The 18-hole Canada course is a 6,713-yard par 72 with a rating of 72.2 and a slope of 140. The natural terrain comes into play as fairways wind through ravines and arroyos. The challenge of this course is in the proper club selection. Many golfers prefer the Canada course because it demands a good deal of strategy, requiring a player to use every club. There's a lot of variety on Canada - with considerable mounding, doglegs and elevation changes from the tee to the green. There are many birdie opportunities on the par 4's, but the risk may outweigh the reward for some golfers. The signature hole is the 183-yard 8th hole, considered by many to be the toughest par 3 in Tucson. Players drive uphill along a narrow ridge and aim between two towering Saguaro cacti just 40 yards out from the tee box. The green is surrounded by natural desert that falls into canyons on either side of the green. Both the 4th and 5th holes begin from elevated tee boxes surrounded by cacti, which give the player the opportunity to experience "target golf". Players must hit strong; well-executed tee shots on these par 4's to land the ball in these narrow fairways.

The resort's premier course, the 18-hole Conquistador is a 6,801-yard par 71 with a rating of 72.7 and a slope of 126. Recently renovated, the course provides an exceptional golf experience for all skill levels. The re-shaped fairways and greens create an exceptionally playable course. The new 419 Tiffway hybrid Bermuda turf allows for better lies on the fairways and Tiff Eagle on the greens produces truer and quicker putts. The new landscaping adjacent to the fairways means the desert rarely comes into play except as a beautiful backdrop for every round. The course offers a variety of short par 5's and long par 4's with dramatic mountain views and elevation changes. The 5th hole is a 541-yard par 5 with a lake and bunkers protecting the two-tiered green. Two long woods will allow the player an opportunity to get home in two. But a head wind will typically prevail, and hinder most opportunities to eagle the hole. The back 9 includes two par 5's with birdie potential, but heavy bunkering challenges players. The signature hole is #16, providing memorable views of Pusch Ridge while trying to avoid any of the 16 strategically placed bunkers.

While unveiling his first golf course in the Tucson area in 25 years, legendary champion Jack Nicklaus took advantage of the high Sonoran Desert setting to integrate solid strategy, variety and fair shot values into each hole at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain. The result is an elite venue intended to be shared by golfing friends and legends alike. Crafted by the legendary Golden Bear to test generations of champions, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain layout has received accolades from tour pros who have explored the course during the annual World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. The event, which showcases the 64 top-ranked players in the game, made its debut at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in 2009 and will be returning in 2010. A reflection of the lush, desert mountain terrain (2,300- to 3,000-feet elevation), the original 27 holes of this Jack Nicklaus Signature Design all present unique challenges and distinct character, blended naturally among noble saguaros that stand beneath the surrounding Tortolita Mountain Range. Throughout The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, there are shots that will require some imagination and creativity. And some holes are just plain fun.