The Buzz: It hits you before you ever reach the course. The drive to the Preserve Golf Club might leave you wondering why you bothered until you come over the crest of a hill and the site of the Santa Catalina Mountains and neighboring Coronado National Forest makes your eyes jealous of each other. In an area that has become known for quality golf facilities north of Tucson, this one is as visually appealing as any of its impressive neighbors.
Designed by Dick Bailey, whose work is well known in Arizona, The Preserve is part of SaddleBrooke, a Robson Community that has been voted one of the top 100 best master-planned communities in the country by Where To Retire magazine. A second course, Mountain View Country Club, designed by Gary Panks, also is part of the SaddleBrooke development.
The Preserve, located in its northeastern corner, is set in Sonoran desert terrain with panoramic mountain vistas, rolling fairways that often result in uneven lies and undulating greens that claim their fair share of three-putts. Desert ridges and deep arroyos accent the layout that places a demand on strategy. This is one of those courses where the mid-handicapper will hit hybrids as often as any club in the bag. There are four sets of tees at 7,006, 6,418, 5,495 and 4,920 yards and the course is rated at 72.5 with a slope of 139 from the back tees.
With its location near open state trust land, prevailing winds often come into play, adding even more to the challenge, considering some of the elevation changes. Most prominent among them is the par-3 sixth, which many consider the signature hole. It plays at just 168 yards from the tips, but an 80-foot elevation drop makes club selection tricky but a fun hole to play. A stunning mountain backdrop allows you to watch the ball as if it is traveling in slow motion with hang time that will make you want to tee up another one.
Two other par 3s, the fourth and sixth, also offer some nice views with their elevated tees. The par-5 10th, par-4 15th and par-5 16th each have nasty ravines that come into play and result in some terrible lies if your ball ventures into any of them. The only water comes into play along the right side of the 18th hole, a 435-yard par 4.
Practice facilities here are excellent, and after the round, you can unwind at the nearby Mesquite Grill, Palo Verde Bistro and Preserve Restaurant, all of which serve up tasty fare. Amenities enjoyed by SaddleBrooke residents also include a stadium-style theater, outdoor pool, fitness center, whirlpool, tennis courts, softball field and dog park.
