Editor’s Note: 11/16/19, Sadly, This golf course has closed.
I played golf with Gary & Gini for years. They are serious golfers. NO GIMMES. NO MULLIGANS. (Damn. Elevated my handicap from a 12 to a 22.)
They have a good eye for two things golf. (1) Quality play. (2) Cheap green fees. They are now retired CPA’s but can still pinch a penny. They have recommended to me, and now you, Turquoise Valley Golf Course. I trust their judgment in such matters.
I looked on the map. It was easy to figure out why Turquoise Valley is inexpensive. It’s 12 miles south of Bisbee and 12 steps to the Mexican border. Do have the good sense to stay out of Mexico. There’s a nasty little war going on across the border.
Naco has a population of less than a thousand. Median income of less that $26k. In archeological circles, Naco is most famous for some excavated mammoth bone with imbedded Clovis arrow points. Very cool.
Good news. Gary says it’s one of his top three Baja Arizona courses and a great value. Bad news. It wasn’t on Gini’s top 3 list. Hummmm. I’m amazed that these two are still married to each other. (Just kidding.)
What distinguishes the Turquoise Valley Golf Course from the other Baja Arizona courses? The “Rattler”. Not a snake, thank heavens. They have a 747 yards – par 6; the longest hole in the West and the 10th longest in the world. If you par this monster, let us know. (Sent proof)
It’s not that I’m inexperienced with long holes on golf courses. I once hit a 952 yard drive to a green. We played in Ohio in freezing weather. I hit a duck hook off the tee which proceeded to skip forever on the frozen river that paralleled the fairway. My ball ended up on the green – two fairways over. Eat your heart out, John Daley.
Here is Gary & Gini’s full report.
Gary’s picks:
Del Lago, Vail – very interesting desert course – usually in good shape
Turquoise Valley, Naco – a challenging course with lots of variety and AZ’s only par 6. Very reasonably priced.
La Paloma resort course, Tucson – a difficult 27 hole well maintained course.Gini’s picks:
Tubac CC, Tubac – varied in difficulty, the three nines are unique.
AZ National, Tucson – extreme topography, really tests shot shaping skills.
Torres Blancas, Green Valley – looks easy – isn’t. Really slick greens (sometimes). Nice restaurant and bar in fairly new building. Attracts a lot of Green Valley residents for dinner. Note: Green Valley is a retirement community 30 minutes south of downtown Tucson. Its residents are noted for frugality. Thus, it is fair to assume Torres Blancas offers good deals.)
