Tubac Golf Resort in Arizona, where Tin Cup movie was filmed, gets new greens

Posted by Admin January 6, 2025 Golf

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The golf course that served as one of the key movie sets for the Kevin Costner smash “Tin Cup” has undergone a massive greens renovation project.

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa in Tubac, Arizona, about 160 miles south of Phoenix, announced a recently completed greens renovation on its Rancho Nine. The resort’s Otero Nine had the same work down in 2023 and now those 18 holes feature Dominator Bentgrass greens, which the resort says are rolling 9.5 on the Stimpmeter. The resort has 27 holes in all, including the Anza Nine.

The recent six-month project involved “restoring the original slopes on the greens and refreshing/extending the Bermuda Grass collars around each green,” according to a news release. Crews also fully excavated the sand on Nos. 4 and 8, taking them down to the original gravel level. Those greens were rebuilt with new sand and sodded. The Rancho Nine reopened for play in November.

“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive since we reopened Rancho, with players praising the course’s exceptional conditions,” said Tubac Golf Resort & Spa General Manager Hank Swiggett. “Bentgrass greens are known for delivering smooth and consistent putting surfaces as the short blades and dense growth allow the ball to roll true. We’re planning to resurface the greens on our Anza Course in 2026, giving us 27 holes with Bentgrass greens.”

Dominator Bentgrass is known for being resistant to stress and disease. It also grows well in cooler weather.

The Tubac resort is on the historic Otero Ranch, which dates to the 1700s. The 27 holes were designed by Red Lawrence. Tubac – population 1,375 – is about 30 minutes north of the Mexico border and about 90 minutes west of Tombstone, famous for the shootout at the O.K. Corral.

Tin Cup was released in 1996. The fourth hole on the Rancho Nine is a long par 5, and it’s known as the “Tin Cup hole,” with a pond in front of the green. In the movie, it’s the 18th hole.