Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: This municipal course is one of the oldest in the state of Arizona, and literally the only game in town when it comes to golf in Douglas. Established as the Douglas Golf and Social Club by the WPA in the 1930s, the front-9 of the present course was designed in 1947 by A.H. Jolly, who was a college golf star at the University of Michigan a decade earlier.
The back-9 was added in 1997, which is why the course has a decidedly different feel once you make the turn. The front is a traditional, relatively flat and wide open track with small greens, while the back is a desert-style layout with rolling fairways and larger, undulating greens.
Located in the southeast corner of Arizona, near the Mexican border town of Agua Prieta, the course offers some up excellent views of the nearby Chiricahua and Pedregosa Mountains, and it is common to see wildlife roaming the course. In 2005, Douglas Golf Course was rated as one of the top tracks in southern Arizona by Tucson Business Magazine.
Course conditions began to deteriorate a few years later, but the city of Douglas quickly addressed them and hired new staff; they have restored the luster of the course. Three sets of tees are available here at 6,810, 6,256 and 5,299 yards with a rating of 71.3 and slope of 125.
The par-71 layout has water in play on seven holes, eight dogleg holes and out-of-bounds markers that add to the challenge on the back nine. Par-3 holes offer a nice variety at 156, 180, 223 and 174 yards from the back tees.
Two standouts are No. 8, a par-4 at 414 yards with water in play, rated the No. 1 handicap hole and No. 18, also 414 yards, which offers a reasonable chance for birdie to end the day.
Practice facilities include a driving range, putting and chipping greens, and the social-type clubhouse offers a fully stocked bar and restaurant.
Read the Arizona Golf Course Directory AZGA Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/; it’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.