Women’s Trans National Golf Association tourney coming up

The 17th Annual Women's Trans National Four-Ball Championship will be contested at the famous Tubac Golf Resort.

The dates are April 28-30 with a practice round scheduled on April 27.

The famous Rancho No. 4 hole was featured in the film “Tin Cup,” starring Kevin Costner.

The resort is surrounded by the Santa Rita and Tumacacori mountain ranges. Unique Southwest artisans are located nearby.

The event is a 54-hole Senior open to all amateur women golfers, age 50 and over, with a USGA maximum handicap of 30. The championship field is limited to the lowest combined handicap index of 56 teams, as verified on the closing entry date of March 18.

The tournament includes four rounds of golf, daily shared golf cart, range balls, a welcome party and an awards luncheon on the final day of play.

DHS golfer holding golf tournament benefit to raise money for trip

Douglas High School golfer Erich Zazueta-Hernandez has been accepted to participate as a member of the People to People Student Ambassadors trip to Europe this summer.

The program’s tuition is $6,680.00. In an effort to get the funds needed Zazueta-Hernandez will be having a golf tournament fundraiser Saturday, March 22 at the Douglas Golf Course.

Registration takes place at 9 a.m. with the shotgun start to follow at 10.

Zazueta-Hernandez has managed to land some special guests who will be in town for the tournament among those being Derrek Kennard, a former member of the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys and Mike Bankston of the Arizona Cardinals.

The format is a four-person scramble and mulligans will be sold. Cost to play is $160 per team and there will be closest to the pin contests as well as a longest drive and a 50/50 raffle.

Hole sponsorships are also available and the prices are as follows Bronze Sponsors ($75) - Your Company logo on one hole; Silver Sponsors ($100) - Your company logo on two holes; Gold Sponsors ($150 or more) - Your company logo on four holes.

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Zazueta-Hernandez is also seeking items that can be raffled off.

While in Europe this summer Hernandez will tour England, France, Italy and Austria.

The objective of the program is to develop leadership skills among America’s youth while exploring and learning about Europe and its great history. People to People was founded by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.

President Eisenhower believed that if people from different cultures could come together in peace and friendship – so eventually would countries.

Since its founding People to People has launched many international programs including Sister Cities and Project HOPE.

People to People student leaders are recommended and evaluated before their acceptance.

"Personally I am looking forward to learning and exploring the cities of Rome and Italy," Zazueta-Hernandez said. "Upon my return I plan to share my experiences with my sponsors and fellow classmates within my school."

As a student leader Zazueta-Hernandez can also earn high school credits because of the many educational elements in his program.

The tuition needed includes on-site transportation, accommodations, meals and educational activities. The tuition is due April 15.

Zazueta-Hernandez says any donation amount large or small will be appreciated.

Anyone interested in making a contribution may call Zazueta-Hernandez at 234-5296; Alfredo at the Douglas Golf Course at 364-3722 or Matthew Robertshaw at 249-8874.

Mesa director tapped as U.S. Open groom

MESA - No one would nominate the Dobson Ranch municipal golf course as a potential site for the prestigious U.S. Open, but this year's national tournament still carries a distinctive Mesa flavor.

Mark Woodward and Don Flavell are reuniting again at the U.S. Open in San Diego after spending decades maintaining Dobson Ranch and Riverview golf courses.

After retiring from Mesa following a 31-year career, San Diego chose Woodward to supervise $8 million in renovations during the past two years at world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, one of the nation's most beautiful layouts.

Now, Woodward is counting on Flavell, once his right-hand man in grooming Dobson Ranch and Riverview, as one of 108 volunteer superintendents who will manicure every blade of grass and every grain of sand at Torrey Pines during the U.S. Open on June 9 through 15.

"You never want to forget where you came from," Woodward said. "They'll be doing everything you can think of when it comes to maintaining a golf course. It's pretty much overkill. It's getting people involved to experience the U.S. Open."

Even though Flavell likely would be raking traps or mowing grass, he considers it an honor after 26 years in municipal golf. In the eyes of both men, having the U.S Open at Torrey Pines is a vindication of municipal golf because it's a city-owned course, despite greens fees priced beyond many golfers.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to help out. It gets me inside the ropes," Flavell, 46, said. "Coming from the municipal sector, it's a great honor. It's thousands and thousands of hours from volunteers that make it (the U.S. Open) successful."

Flavell and Woodward have spent their careers in municipal golf, which allows the middle- or working-class golfer access to a game with an elitist reputation often characterized by prestige and exclusion.

Woodward takes pride in Torrey Pines' municipal status, even though greens fees range from $140 to $180. He said he helped to build the back nine at Dobson Ranch in 1974 as a 20-year-old and served as Dobson's first superintendent after graduating from Arizona State University.

His late grandfather, J.D Woodward, is credited with introducing bent-grass greens at higher-elevation courses in the Valley. Many other family members work at top courses.

"This is the people's open," he said. "It means a lot to me. I've spent all of my life in the municipal-golf business."

Kennegard, Sun Devils Earn Golfweek Honors

Arizona State men's golfer Jesper Kennegard was named player of the week by Golfweek.com. Additionally, the ASU men's golf team was named team of the week.

Kennegard won individual honors posting scores of 68-63-66 at the Hawaii Hilo Invitational for the three-day tournament. Kennegard was the first Sun Devil freshmen to win a tournament since Alejandro Canizares in 2003. The Sun Devils finished second overall at the 18th annual Hawaii-Hilo Invitational shooting a team score of 24-under 816. This has been the team's best finish of the year. Arizona State's next tournament is in Las Vegas, March 6-8, for the Southern Highlands Invitational.

Arizona's Green Valley a hidden southwestern golf playground

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. - If you drive past Green Valley, Ariz., you'll notice something - you're just about in Mexico. As a retirement community with less than 20,000 residents, Green Valley truly is a city that puts the "south" in Southwest.

Twenty miles south of Tucson, and 40 miles north of Nogales, Mexico, Green Valley is a boomtown for retirees, and as a result, is a somewhat hidden golf paradise. Those in the know will bring their golf clubs, as Green Valley boasts nine golf courses alongside its year-round warm weather, modern city image and friendly residents.

While much of Green Valley is age-restricted as far as residents, and a few of the golf courses are private, several of its layouts are world-class and not to be missed. Here's a look at some of the great golf Green Valley has to offer way down south. Because if you're a golfer and have made your way to Tucson, you need to drive just a little farther to see what this surprising city has to offer.

Green Valley golf courses

Canoa Ranch Golf Club: When it comes to Green Valley, Canoa Ranch truly steals the show. While the blistering 139 slope rating will gladly pummel the golfer who overestimates his or her abilities and plays from the back tees, the course is fair if you pick the right tee box. Just don't expect many gimmes on this run designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley.

But even if your game isn't up to the challenge, Canoa Ranch will surely delight, offering spectacular views of the Southwest.

"The scenery is not discounted from any set of tees. Stunning is a word that's way overused in the golf world, but Canoa Ranch is stunning," wrote Chris Baldwin at GolfArizona.com. "Everywhere you look there's more desert and mountains stretching into the distance."

Challenging play, brilliant scenery and extremely reasonable green fees make Canoa Ranch one of the great secrets of Arizona golf.

Click here for more information on Arizona golf packages. Tee times: (866) 444-0992 or (602) 910-6821

Canoa Hills Golf Course: This Dave Bennett design gives golfers several risk-reward opportunities, as well as inviting fairways. The signature 15th hole - a 537-yard par 5 - will test golfers with a double dogleg, while the whole of the back nine will dazzle not just with the unique design, but also with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and desert.

"Awesome course, awesome hotel - a great Wyndham property, play, stay and have a great time all weekend," wrote WorldGolf.com reader David Daniel.

Tubac Golf Course: If you're looking to play where many scenes from the movie "Tin Cup" were shot, Tubac is the course for you. Of course, there's much more to it than it's filmed past. Opened in 1959, designer Ken Kavenaugh added another nine to the run, giving players 27 holes to chose from. Well-manicured greens and fairways will be your guide through a round at Tubac, and the modern clubhouse will take care of all a player's needs. Located on the historic 500-acre Otero Ranch, a stay at Tubac Golf resort will give a player unparalleled amenities and a relaxing stay with a great southwestern flavor.

Other good Green Valley golf courses

Haven Golf Course: This popular daily-fee course plays 6,905 yards from the back tees with a slope rating of 121. What will really grab you, however, are the green fees. Just $24 will have you in Haven, with cart. As an added bonus, Haven also has a nine-hole par-3 course, Tortuga, you can play for less than $10.

San Ignacio Golf Course: Talk about a hidden gem, this Arthur Hills designed run will challenge golfers of all levels, playing to a sturdy 135 slope rating from the back tees. Great conditioning and a scenic layout make it a course you'll want to give a try. And afterward, have a meal at the Coyote Grille, which serves food with a southwestern flair in a relaxed and classy environment.

A president's playpen: Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa draws stars with luxury, location and golf

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Bill Clinton smiles back at Dick Bates every morning when the general manger of the Arizona Biltmore Country Club takes a seat behind his desk. Pictures of the grinning Clinton - golfing the Arizona Biltmore, of course - hang in a display on the wall.

Bates doesn't sound too impressed with the president whose smile fills his office though.

"You mean Slick Willie," Bates chuckles when asked about the photos. "You could tell he was into being a celebrity. He wanted everyone to notice him and be impressed by him. He's definitely all politician."

Bates shrugs. He's not pushing any political agenda. This is no loud right-wing warrior. It's just when you work at the Biltmore, you tend to meet presidents and even more famous people (Oprah anyone?) Every U.S. president for the last 40 years has played golf at the Biltmore and stayed at the plush Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa that's a very short walk across the street from the country club.

Bates remembers the time "the first President Bush," as he calls him, walked into his office after a round during his presidency and ended up spending 30 minutes shooting the breeze about all things golf. As George Bush's harried staffers kept trying to tell him he had to go.

"He just wanted to talk to someone about golf," Bates said. "George Bush the first, now that was a real down-to-earth guy. You'd never know he was president by the way he talked to people. He didn't act like a big shot."

You might be surprised by who does and doesn't front big time at the Biltmore. Yankees AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, he of the $300 million contract (again)?

"A-Rod couldn't be a nicer guy," Bates said. "He never wanted any special treatment. He never came out with a bunch of people with him either. Just a regular guy."

By now you're probably wondering what draws so many famous people to Biltmore golf? Are the two Biltmore courses among the highest-rated courses in the Phoenix-Scottsdale resort corridor?

No. Not even close, really.

Biltmore's Adobe Course is a classic old school course dating back to 1928, one of the oldest courses in all of Arizona, sprung from the mind of chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley Jr. Thanks to a 2004 renovation restoration, it's very green with bunkers that really pop out.

Adobe is also as flat as Florida and as wide open as Angelina Jolie's bedroom door. This is the extremely rare Arizona course where you don't have to worry about losing golf balls, and that can be refreshing.

Adobe can be more forgiving than a Catholic priest on Christmas. I watched an ex-college football star in his 50s shoot a 75 as easy as can be.

Its sister Links Course, which Bates freely admits is the preferred course, can confound with the tricks and twists in its design, on the other hand. This is the Howard Hughes of golf courses, eccentric in all its swerves around corners, unexpected ups and downs and turns past multi-million dollar homes.

You'll see radio legend Paul Harvey's home (on No. 2) and a legit Frank Lloyd Wright designed home (on No. 18) while playing Links Course. You'll see more of Phoenix's skyline than you do from most revolving rooftop restaurants from the high, high back tee on the par-3 15th. And you'll see tees that you cannot believe they stuck there and holes that you cannot believe fit in there.

"They're certainly two of the more unique courses in Arizona," regular Grand Canyon State golfer Harry Norris said.

Kennegard, Sun Devils Earn Golfweek Honors

Freshman Jesper Kennegard was the first Sun Devil to win a tournament as a freshman since Alejandro Canizares.

Arizona State men's golfer Jesper Kennegard was named player of the week by Golfweek.com. Additionally, the ASU men's golf team was named team of the week.

Kennegard won individual honors posting scores of 68-63-66 at the Hawaii Hilo Invitational for the three-day tournament. Kennegard was the first Sun Devil freshmen to win a tournament since Alejandro Canizares in 2003. The Sun Devils finished second overall at the 18th annual Hawaii-Hilo Invitational shooting a team score of 24-under 816. This has been the team's best finish of the year. Arizona State's next tournament is in Las Vegas, March 6-8, for the Southern Highlands Invitational.

Arizona Women Golf Finishes Eighth at Northrop Grumman

Wilson places 17th to lead Cats

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona women’s golf finished in a tie for eighth place Wednesday at the 2008 Northrop Grumman Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif.

The Arizona women carded a 297 (+13), its best round of the tournament, to leap four places up the final leader board and finish tied for eighth place. Arizona’s three-round total of 914 (+62) was 38 strokes of the pace of tournament-winner UCLA, who carded a three-round 876 (+24) to win by seven shots. Florida, USC, Arizona State and Stanford rounded out the top-five places.

Junior Amanda Wilson earned her first top-20 finish of the season by finishing in 17th place with an 11-over 224 total. Wilson carded a one-under 70, UA’s only under par round of the event, en route to her low tournament total this season. It was her eighth career top-20 finish. Wake Forest’s Natalie Sheary captured individual medalist honors at two-over 215.

Senior Alison Walshe posted her low round of the event, a one over 73, Wednesday to finish tied for 23rd place at 14-over 227. Freshman Alejandra Llaneza tied for 32nd place at 17-over 230.

Senior Mary Jacobs tied for 45th place at 233 (+20), while sophomore Emily Mason finished in 75th place at 34-over 247.

The 54-hole event was contested at Palos Verdes Golf Club, a par-71, 5,912-yard layout. Arizona will next be in action, Feb. 25-27, when it hosts the Wildcat Invitational at Arizona National Golf Course.

Top-Five Teams

1. UCLA..................................... 288-299-289=876 (+24)
2. Florida................................... 298-291-294=883 (+31)

3. USC....................................... 298-288-301=887 (+35)

4. Arizona State........................ 302-296-291=889 (+37)

5. Stanford................................ 300-306-294=900 (+48)

Top-Five Individuals

1. Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest..... 72-71-72=215 (+2)

2. Taylore Karle, Pepperdine......... 70-71-75=216 (+3)

Azahara Munoz, Arizona State.... 75-71-70=216 (+3)

Whitney Myers, Florida................ 73-73-70=216 (+3)

Jessica Yadloczky, Florida......... 71-72-73=216 (+3)

Arizona Finishers

17. Amanda Wilson......................... 75-79-70=224 (+11)

T23. Alison Walshe............................ 78-76-73=227 (+14)

T32. Alejandra Llaneza...................... 76-76-78=230 (+17)

T45. Mary Jacobs................................ 79-78-76=233 (+20)

75. Emily Mason............................... 82-80-85=247 (+34)

Work Underway on Upscale Resort Project in Arizona

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC is teaming up with Cottonwood Properties and Greenbrier Southwest Corporation to develop a 250-room golf and spa resort in the high Sonoran desert, northwest of Tucson, Ariz. Located in Marana, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will feature a resort/residential community that will include 36 holes of golf along with single-family residences. The $160 million project will be the second Ritz-Carlton in Arizona, joining the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix.

"We have long hoped to open a world-class resort in the Arizona desert, and we believe the Dove Mountain project, which includes Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses and a 17,000-square-foot spa, will appeal to affluent leisure travelers as well as groups seeking a resort for meetings in a luxury environment," said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. "For homeowners desiring either a vacation retreat or a Sonoran Desert home, the Dove Mountain location offers the serenity of an exclusive desert setting and private homes, plus the added convenience of the city of Tucson less than 30 minutes away."

The investment in the project's hotel, golf club and infrastructure totals over $276 million. The project is a collaboration involving the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC of Chevy Chase, Md.; Cottonwood Properties of Tucson; and Greenbrier Southwest Corporation of Scottsdale. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, through an affiliate, is a part-owner in the hotel and will manage the golf club and residences.

"The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will be the quintessential high Sonoran Desert resort," said Tim Bolinger, a partner in Greenbrier Southwest Corporation with his wife Casey. "Nestled into a canyon in the Tortolita Mountains, the resort's spectacular surroundings will remain that way forever."

"The hotel, golf club and residences are all designed with authentic Southwestern architecture and carefully sited into this dramatic Sonoran Desert landscape," said Casey Bolinger. "The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will be like nothing else in the world."

The resort at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain - designed by HKS Hill Glazier Studios of Palo Alto, Calif. - will be a low-rise, four story building comprised of adobe block, straw-flecked stucco, clay tile and native stone. It will contain 226 guest rooms and suites, while a nearby structure will house 24 casita rooms and suites. Every guestroom and suite will offer views of the desert. The landscape includes desert vegetation, rock formations and ancient petroglyphs. The 2,400-acre Tortolita Mountain Park borders Dove Mountain to the north.

The resort will offer a range of amenities and features to appeal to travelers as well group meetings and special events. It will contain two ballrooms of 9,000 and 4,800 square feet, three restaurants, a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, 20 miles of hiking trails, and tennis and swim facilities.

Also involved are two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. Twenty-seven holes are under construction and scheduled for completion in late 2008, with an additional nine to debut in 2010. "Golf course design has been a blessing for me," said Nicklaus. "It has allowed me to take what I learned playing the game of golf and apply it to a piece of ground to create a legacy that will live well beyond what I accomplished as a golfer. If I can design The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain to take advantage of its spectacular high desert setting and beautiful vistas, while integrating solid strategy and good, fair golf shots, then I've done what should be done."

Dove Mountain will also feature an approximately 50,000-square-foot clubhouse complex, complete with a pool, fitness center, locker rooms and several dining areas. Outside will be a double-ended practice facility.

Heritage Links of Houston is constructing the initial 18 holes, and Weitz Golf will build the third nine. The clubhouse is designed by Douglas Fredrikson Architects.

Approximately 300 home sites are part of the project. The single-family homes will border the golf courses and open space alongside the Tortolita Mountains. While final pricing is being finalized, the homes are expected to start at $1.5 million. The residences will incorporate wood and stone flooring, custom closet fixtures, special wall finishes and the finest appliances, all included in the base price. Homeowners will enjoy concierge service, personalized home management, landscaping, housekeeping, valet, catering and room service from the resort, as well as access to golf, fitness, swimming and tennis facilities.

For additional information, call 520/572-2700 or 877/572-2770, or visit www.theresidencesdovemountain.com.