The Buzz: This facility, originally called Estrella Mountain Golf Course, is a longtime favorite of local golfers that has experienced resurgence in recent years. Designed by Red Lawrence, whose work is well known around Arizona, it opened in 1962, lost some luster over the next two decades and underwent a complete renovation in 1998, after which Golf Digest magazine named it one of top five most improved courses in the country. Then, in 2006, after Synergy Golf Management took over operations, it received nearly $750,000 worth of additional improvements, including irrigation and landscaping, restoration of bunkers and cart paths, and clubhouse upgrades.
Tres Rios (Spanish for three rivers) sets on Maricopa County land crossed by the Salt, Pima and Agua Fria rivers, in a scenic area alongside the massive Estrella Mountain Regional Park. The parkland-style course is tucked cozily into the foothills of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, which provide picturesque backdrops and create a feeling of seclusion. Gently rolling fairways are lined by hundreds of mature eucalyptus trees, helping to place emphasis on accuracy off the tee. There are just 29 bunkers but they are strategically cut near the greens to challenge approach shots, and water is in play on just three holes. Among those trees is a course landmark, a giant eucalyptus that stands in the center of the par-5 first hole and gives golfers fits on their approach shots to the green.
The signature hole is the 15th, a par 3 at 197 yards from the back tee that plays over a lake to an elevated green. Both nines have very good finishing holes. The 18th is a par 5 that is reachable in two shots at just 475 yards from the back tee, but the second shot is partially blind to a small green. The course has four sets of tees ranging from 5,297 to 6,866 yards and is rated at 71.4 with a slope of 121 from the tips.
Tres Rios is located within the first regional park to become part of the Maricopa County system, sprawling across 19,480 acres, and was within the Mexican border until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. The park offers myriad activities, including hiking, biking, camping and fishing. The course has acquired a new customer base with the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds moving into their new spring training home at nearby Goodyear Ballpark. It is common to see fans, as well as players, from those two teams teeing it up at Tres Rios in late winter and early spring.