The Buzz: This public course north of Tucson represents a unique Arizona golf experience in that it opened as a Scottish-links style course that ended up in a sand and gravel quarry surrounded by rugged desert. It bills itself as the state’s “only quarry golf course” and one of only seven in the country. It began as the Links at Continental Ranch, which was designed by Brian Huntley in 1997 on the edge of a 90-acre, 100-foot deep sand and gravel quarry.
Three years later, after the quarry was abandoned, the quarry/course owner and town of Marana agreed on a plan that would reclaim the quarry by relocating 10 holes inside of it and reconfiguring eight of the existing holes. Remaining land provided for residential development in an area that had been zoned for commercial use, and the course owner agreed to build a nature trail along the adjacent Santa Cruz River. It was donated to the town of Marana, allowing users to enjoy the river on one side and dramatic views down into the golf course on the other.
The Phoenix architectural firm of Gilmore Graves, which specializes in course construction, handled the project and one result is a course with dramatic elevation changes, unusual hole designs and uncommon views. About one thousand Mondell pine trees, mesquites and natural grasses add to the appeal. The course, which re-opened in 2003, isn’t particularly long, but has some tight fairways and doglegs that put a premium on accuracy because the transition areas can be rather punishing. Translation: This isn’t a course where you automatically reach for a driver on every tee that’s not a par-3 hole. Quarry Pines has four sets of tees, ranging from 4,893 to 6,318 yards, and the par-71 layout is rated at 70.0 with a slope of 130 from the back tees.
Par-3 holes are especially demanding, particularly the 11th, which appropriately is named “Buena Suerta.” That is Spanish for “good luck,” and you might need some to hit this green on a hole that plays at 256 yards from the back tee, is surrounded by quarries on both sides, guarded by a front bunker and back-dropped by picturesque Sombrero Peak.
The par-5 12th stretches to 574 yards and No. 13, a 368-yard par 4, plays along the top rim of the quarry, setting you up for the a challenging stretch of holes down through the quarry where strategy and course management come into play. No. 14, called “Descent,” might be the most picturesque hole. The par 4 plays at just 400 yards, with a 75-foot elevation drop, but the tee shot is to an island fairway and shots longer than 220 yards will be flirting with desert. The approach is to a two-tiered green. The 16th is another memorable hole, a 560-yard par 5 with a left dogleg and cross bunkers in the primary landing area. The approach is past a narrow neck to a long, narrow green that can play as much as a three-club difference depending on pin placement. The hole typically plays longer than its yardage suggests.
Quarry Pines offers full practice facilities and stay-and-play packages with affordable nearby hotels such as Best Western, Days Inn, La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express and Super 8. It also has a partner restaurant in the nearby Texas Roadhouse.