Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Designed by Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman in 2005, Tucson National’s Sonoran Course features 2 lakes and 69 strategically placed bunkers. Known for its storied Catalina course, Tucson National has been home to nationally televised events featuring stars such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer since 1965. Following the rich history of this lovely cotton field turned golf course came the Sonoran course, which is what we experienced. The hotel and golf courses all hold their own, each having been recognized for their impressive accomplishments. The 36 hole courses have been touted as some of the best courses in Arizona by Golfweek and the Omni owns a top 100 steakhouse in America.
As we arrived at the Omni, we prepared for our round prior to checking in. We booked an early round in order to have time to experience the pool area and other amenities. As we walked into the golf shop, the massive skylight lit up the expansive room as sunlight shined on the wood-paneled flooring. It was nice to have so much natural light coming in, since most golf shops do not feature a skylight.
As seen in the picture below, the shop was packed with top of the line apparel, and neatly folded clothing in an open layout. The TV was tuned to the golf channel, which was perched atop the shoe section along the back wall.
Tucson National Golf Shop
Once we checked in for our tee time, we took a drive over to the range to warm up. The balls were conveniently provided for us at each hitting station. The chipping facility was extremely impressive and definitely the best I have seen in my short 26 years. It features five or six pyramids of golf balls about 40-50 yards away from the green already set up for maximum reps. In front of the green is a bunker for sand practice and chipping distance control. The putting green is large and can support several putters at one time. It is appropriately sloped to practice course-like putts.
The Sonoran course started us out with a short par-4 playing at about 345 yards. The bunkers surround the fairway up to the green but you should have enough room to hit driver here. That is unless you smoke one 310-320, then you may want to club down. The green on this hole is long and somewhat narrow, giving you some extra yardage short and long but not much left or right.
One of the most difficult holes on the front nine is the par-3 6th hole. Playing at 209 yards, this hole requires your tee shot to carry at least 200 over a lake and other hazards. The green is not very deep, but runs wide and parallel to the lake. There is a bunker along the back side of this green to catch those long tee shots.
This course plays more open than traditional Arizona desert courses. While you have some desert hazards here and there, you wont get beat with “target golf” type shots. One of my favorite holes on the back nine was the par-5 15th hole. Playing at 515 yards, the scorecard and hole layout do not do this hole justice. Once on the tee box, you will see that this hole plays straight up the hill. It it virtually impossible to reach this green in two, unless you are the longest of hitters. The green is invisible from the approach angle and I suggest coming in with a high trajectory if possible.
Hole 15, Par-5 straight up the hill!
Overall, Tucson National was very playable and fairly open. The attention to detail put into the golf shop and practice facilities was definitely noticed. I especially liked the chipping facility, as I got great practice in a short amount of time. The course was fun and well-kept, but did not particularly stand out among some of the other popular courses in the Tucson area. Nevertheless, this is a great place to play golf and has some interesting hole setups.
After the early drive and a round of golf, we were excited to explore the resort. The check-in process was a breeze and we made our way to two of the 128 guest rooms. The Omni is a unique hotel, with the rooms being totally separate from the lobby in their own individual buildings. Our premier mountain vista rooms had a nice leisure area between the bed and TV with four chairs and a table to have a few post-round drinks.
A Premier Mountain Vista Room at Omni Tucson National
Forget the drinks though, we were hungry! We cleaned up and browsed our resort options. The Omni offered an array of places for us to fuel up.
The dining options included:
Bob’s Steak and Chop House – “Both residents and visitors to Tucson can enjoy this nationally renowned steakhouse, recently honored with OpenTable’s The Diners’ Choice Award for the Top 100 Steakhouses in America!”
Fiesta Café and Patio – “Featuring The Art of Breakfast, the Fiesta Café offers a culinary experience that will stimulate your senses as it delights your palate. We’ve combined regional flavors with unique Southwestern recipes to create a one-of-a-kind breakfast fare.”
Legends Bar & Grill – “Voted Best 19th Hole 2012 by Arizona Foothills magazine, this is the perfect place to unwind after a day of meetings or playing on the golf course. Our sports bar offers casual club fare and a great selection of spirits, single malt scotches, and cigars.”
Sweetwater Cabana Bar – “Enjoy a quick snack or relaxing cocktail by the pool. Open daily with specialty food offerings and a delightful selection of beverages. Includes starters and sandwiches for lunchtime”
The resort also provided an impressive and expansive breakfast buffet, which we took advantage of the next morning before heading back home.
If you’re at the resort for rest and relaxation, the spa and fitness center is a must-visit. With options ranging from a Swedish relaxation to a sports massage, the spa can accommodate your needs. If you are looking for additional fitness opportunities, the resort also offers a tennis facility for training, learning, and playing. Omni Director of Tennis Tom Lepisto brings 24 years of experience into personal lessons, trickling his knowledge down to his certified teaching pros.
With 36 holes of championship golf, a large golf shop, 128 guest rooms and plenty of resort amenities, Tucson National makes for a great stay and play experience at a reasonable price. Whether you are just cooling off for the summer or playing one of the beautiful 18-hole courses, the Omni can accommodate all desires and preferences. The course played fair and true, while the guest rooms were well-equipped and well-sized. Located at bit north of Tucson, it is quick and easy to get to if coming from Phoenix. While not a top course in the region, Tucson National provides excellent relaxation, rich history, and good, solid golf.
Omni Tucson National Sonoran Course Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Overall, the rating on this course can be attributed to comparable courses we have played around the Tucson, AZ area (tough competition!). By no means was this a bad course. In fact, Tucson National had one of the best golf shop and practice facilities around the area. A big factor that influenced our decision was the lack of excitement as we made our way through the course. Not too many holes really stood out to us as being overly memorable. Our perspective may have been changed if we had played the famous Catalina course, which we hope to in the near future! Here at Golf Aficionado we like to be critical, for without criticism growth is impossible.