Travel Special: Free Yourself in Tucson

A bit off the beaten path, Tucson is an oasis that lures golfers with over 300 days of sunshine, world-famous Mexican food, and a laid-back vibe.

visit tucson winter cover

A bit off the beaten path, Tucson is an oasis that lures golfers with over 300 days of sunshine, world-famous Mexican food, and a laid-back vibe. It’s a place where you can slow down and savor the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert; a place to explore without boundaries.


The Cologuard Classic: February 25 – March 3, 2019

A Tucson tradition of excellence surrounds the Cologuard Classic, Tucson’s PGA TOUR Champions Tour event presented by the Tucson Conquistadors at Omni Tucson National Resort. The tourney features a 78-player field competing for a $1.7 million purse with $255,000 and 255 Charles Schwab Cup points for the winner. The no-cut format includes three days of stroke play competition (Friday-Sunday) with players participating in the Jose Cuervo Pro-Am on Wednesday and Thursday. Tournament proceeds benefit youth athletic programs in Southern Arizona. Live coverage is televised on the Golf Channel.

Southern Arizona has a storied history of hosting some of the greatest golfers and most memorable performances ever seen on a green, and this springtime showcase is no exception.

In 2018, the galaxy of golfing greats that teed off on the famed Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National Resort included defending champion Tom Lehman as well as Steve Stricker, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Vijay Singh, and John Daly. Prior tournament champions include Steve Stricker in 2018, Tom Lehman in 2017, Woody Austin in 2016, and Marco Dawson in 2015.

The Omni Tucson National, located on Tucson’s northwest side in the Oro Valleyarea, is one of more than 40 courses here. Before making your Tucson golf trip, check out our accommodationsrestaurants, and attractions to plan a stay that fits your style and interests.

Why Tucson?

Tucson is one of the best values for the traveling golfer. Located in the heart of the gorgeous Sonoran Desert and encircled by five mountain ranges, Tucson provides a natural setting, with an abundance of mountainous topography that blends uniquely into its desert golf experience.

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains, Omni Tucson National Resort offers the best of both worlds – its desert-style Sonoran course designed by Tom Lehman offers a combination of native desert vegetation with strategic fairway bunkering. And the more traditional Catalina course annually hosts the Cologuard Classic, PGA TOUR Champions event (February 25 – March 3, 2019). PGA pros rank the 18th hole as one of the most challenging finishing holes on the tour. After a day on the course, relax at Omni’s 4-star Forbes-rated spa.

If you are seeking a strenuous test, check out the Conquistador course, rated at 72.6 with a slope of 129 from the back tees, at El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Oro Valley. Or you can bring your camera and opt for a round at the scenic, 18-hole Cañada course, perfect for families and the time-challenged with the availability of three-hole rounds weaving through natural desert terrain.

And by no means pass up the chance to play the highly-awarded Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe knew they wanted to work within the land and honor its natural gifts and wonders when it came to designing a golf course. They hired fellow Native American, Notah Begay, who carved the challenging course from the Sonoran Desert landscape to create a golfing oasis with 40,000 native plants and 14 acres of lakes.

Tucson also boasts some of the nation’s top resort courses, including JW Marriott Starr Pass Golf Club—one of the courses to host the PGA Tour’s long-running Tucson Open— Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.

City of Gastronomy

Post-round, savor the unapologetic passion for food that inspires Tucson’s cuisine. Known as “the Southwest’s next foodie destination,” options including chef-focused cuisine featuring two James Beard Award winners, a variety of international spots, and outstanding Mexican food. Tucson also holds the honor of being named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States due to its rich agricultural heritage, thriving food traditions, and culinary distinctiveness. Dining in Tucson is a unique experience – one that reflects the culture of the Sonoran Desert, from the soil to the people who live here.

Whether you’re planning a golf trip designed to play, eat, rest and repeat each day, or a family getaway, you’ll find it all in Tucson. Learn more at VisitTucson.com/golf.


Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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