Omni Tucson National Golf Resort (Catalina)

Golf Course Review OMNI Tucson National Golf Resort CATALINA Tucson Arizona

ALERT: Aeration
Catalina course will be closed for aeration from 6/22 – 6/25, reopening 6/26. Sonoran Course will close on 6/29 for its aeration. Reopening date TBD, so check with course for availability.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: Nickesquire, Rancho Mirage, CA

Rode the Whites (6610/71.4/128) in slightly over 3H mid day as a single. The weather was clear, fairly calm and in the low 100’s.

COVID-19: Doodles in the cups and no rakes in the traps. But very relaxed overall compared to Southern California courses where I usually play.

Bruce Devlin teamed with Robert Van Hagge as co designer of this layout that has hosted dozens of PGA and Sr. PGA events over past 50 years. Rare par 73 with five par 5’s, four par 3’s and nine par 4’s. Liked the traditional parkland style layout. Holes that stood out were #18, an excellent demanding par 4 finishing hole with water left, right and long on your tee shot, then a uphill approach shot to an elevated green. #11 was a unique par 5 that was barely 500 yards but was a true 3 shot par 5 for most because you had to lay up short of/go around a lake, then go over the lake to set up your uphill approach. I hit three irons on this hole because of the location of the lake and the way it jutted out into the fairway.

The Review

I was told the course was not in great shape and was getting ready to close tomorrow for maintenance. Wanted to play it anyway as this was going to be my only opportunity this trip. Greens, tees and some of the rough had recently been aerated. Kudos to the pro shop staff for full disclosure on the conditions ahead of time.

Bermuda tees, fairways and rough were all semi lush with some browned out areas. Mostly good.

Sand traps had good quality sand could have been excellent if they had been raked today.

Bermuda greens were as advertised unfortunately. Bumpy and medium slow, they were at least a week from being fully healed. Positive was that they were not firm. I had numerous irons stop right at their ball mark or back up. Unfortunately wasted a rare 9/10 (by my standards) ball striking day trying to convert putts that were bumpier and slower than most courses fringes.

Final Thoughts

All grass range included in your fee. Complementary bottled water. Friendly starter and saw the cart gal twice. Really look forward to coming back and playing here again when the course is in better playing shape, because the layout is fun. Recommended.