For Tucsonans who love luxury golf, the arrival of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain almost two years ago was a welcome addition to the regions already impressive course repertoire. What’s even more impressive is that the Club’s Nicklaus-designed tracks are continuing to garner accolades, awards and recognition from prominent golf entities.
For the second consecutive year, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain has been named one of the “Best New Courses” in the United States by Golfweek magazine. The Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, home of the annual WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships, is one of only seven courses on the list to be honored as a repeat selection, based on the magazine’s award guidelines.
Golfweek recognizes courses that have opened during the previous two calendar years, allowing The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, which opened in Jan. 17, 2009 to qualify for the 2009 and 2010 rankings. The honor adds to the growing list of noteworthy awards that position it among the most desirable golf destinations in the United States.
In addition, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain became only the second golf course in the Tucson region to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. It is one of only 11 courses in Arizona to receive the honor and among the 794 courses now listed by Audubon International.
“It is always exciting, as well as gratifying, for The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain to add to its record of growing achievements,” said Alan Federer, general manager. “Each award and ranking is special in its own right, but they all are directly attributable to the continued excellence of the resort and golf club.”
As the centerpiece of the resort, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain combines solid strategy, variety and fair shot values that harmonize with the high desert elevation of 2,300 to 3,000 feet. Nicklaus meticulously created large greens with significant undulation, as well as wide fairways with carries over desert washes that define each course. The bunkering varies from classic, pot-style obstacles to expansive areas that stretch close to 80 yards along the edges of the fairways. The greens are Bentgrass, while the tees, fairways and rough are Bermuda (with perennial rye overseed), ideal for the desert climate.
While the golf courses eventually will be accessible only by resident members and resort guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, it currently is available to the public.
To Learn More
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain, 520.572.3500, www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.
