Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: This is the only private, full-service member-owned club in Green Valley, a retirement community for activity adults near Tucson, which proudly features eight golf courses. The Country Club of Green Valley, which opened in 1971, borders the Santa Cruz River and old-school Arizona pecan groves. The stately Santa Rita Mountains serve as a backdrop on several holes and 4 water-features bring water into play on 6 holes.
The layout, which is very well maintained, was created by Red Lawrence and presents a traditional design with narrow fairways, six of them doglegs, and modest-size undulating greens that are well-bunkered. Five sets of tees range from 4,809 to 6,628 yards; the course is rated at 71.3 with a slope of 126 from the back tees.
It’s a player-friendly layout with three of the par-5 holes being reachable in two shots for many golfers and only two holes that measure longer than 500 yards from the tips. The back nine is the more interesting of the two and features the signature hole, the par-4 12th, which plays at 422 yards and has a large lake along the right side of a dogleg right fairway and a well-bunkered green that slopes back to front.
No. 14 is much shorter at 342 yards, but has a peninsula green with a lake wrapping around the back and two large bunkers guarding the front. Stay alert because another lake comes into play at both the 16th, a tempting 316-yard par-4, and the 181-yard par-3 17th.
The round ends with a good birdie opportunity at the par-5 18th that measures just 481 yards from the tips, but only if you can avoid the four strategically placed fairway bunkers and three more that surround much of the green.
The Country Club of Green Valley has excellent practice facilities with a driving range, chipping and putting greens and a practice bunker. It’s also home to a First Tee program. Other amenities at the club include a grill and lounge for casual dining, fine dining at the Lavender Restaurant, a swimming pool and a busy social calendar.
Several membership types are available for residents and non-residents alike, including a one-time trial membership for prospective members for 30, 60 or 90-day terms; the club also features a reciprocal guest policy. There are many outdoor activities available in this area, and the nearby Inn at San Ignacio is a popular lodging option for Green Valley visitors.
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.