Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review: Of the 10 courses built in the active adult community of Green Valley, about 20 miles south of Tucson, the Lee Trevino design at Torres Blancas ranks in the top three on most people’s list.
Torres Blancas, Spanish for “white bell towers” is nestled in the Santa Cruz River Valley at the foot of the picturesque Santa Rita Mountains, which provide some excellent backdrops. One of Arizona’s largest pecan orchards runs along a portion of the course, which also offers views of landmarks such as Elephant Head peak.
The course opened in 1995 and features three lakes with water in play on five holes, large, undulating greens and rolling terrain with mild desert transition areas. Trevino’s layout is certainly player-friendly until you step back to the tips where it’s loaded with challenges, particularly on the back nine.
Five sets of tees offer a level par-72 test from 5,010 to 7,111 yards; from the tips it’s rated at 72.6 with a slope of 130.
Highlights of the front nine are the 392-yard par-4 second where your approach shot must carry a desert-transition area, and the risk/reward par-4, 327-yard fifth hole, featuring an elusive, narrow, yet drivable green for the big hitters, a layup and tricky short iron approach for the rest of us.
The back nine at Torres Blancas plays 400 yards longer than the front and is the stronger of the two. The thrills begin at No. 12, the 181-yard par-3 signature hole. Only one shot will do; an all-water carry over the lake to an enormous, contoured putting surface.
One of the longest holes in the state of Arizona greets you at the 14th tee – a 648-yard par 5 – where you can shave off some distance if you hug the right side and manage to keep your ball in play. The green is wide open in front for run-ons but tricky to putt.
No. 18 completes the loop with a classic 466-yard par-4 that plays uphill; water threatens on the left. The green complex is a sloping affair with a bunker on the right; par here deserves special notation on the card.
Practice facilities at Torres Blancas include an all-turf driving range, putting and chipping greens. After the round, golfers can relax at The Grill at Torres Blancas restaurant.
Expert golf instruction and most importantly, custom club fitting, is available at Torres Blancas from Gary Blaisdell and his Blaisdell Performance Systems teaching staff. Gary has been improving player’s games and customizing their equipment for over 30 years for one very simple reason; his players improve. If your goal is playing more enjoyable golf than you do today, ask Gary to help. He’ll have you authoring those precise golf shots you’ve often seen, but now they’ll be coming off your own clubface.
Torres Blancas is part of Tucson’s Wildcat Trail network, which offers discount pricing at seven of the Tucson area’s top golf facilities. Directly across the street is Canoa Ranch Golf Club, another quality layout in Green Valley and the sister course to Torres Blancas; ask about the memberships that provide equal access to the two courses.
Read the Arizona Golf Course List AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.
It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.