Tee Time in Tucson
Fred Enke Golf Course
8251 E. Irvington Rd. Tucson, AZ 85730
Fred Enke Golf Course was officially dedicated December 3, 1983. Enke offers golfers a different but interesting and challenging approach to golf course design. The major featur...
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course is wide open, yet not. it is shaped by the environment, with tons of low flying growth around every corner, and yet if, a big if, you keep the ball FAIRLY STRAIGHT you are fine. Each hole is in and of itself, a nicety not always found even in high end course, and the routing is more than interesting. You start out with a short, hard right dog leg par 4, with a valley of sin just near the green. The green is deceptively difficult, as the variation in green elevation makes for quicker than expected putts, especially as the course warms up. Each hole has a slightly different view of the mountains, and gosh what beaufitul mountains the background of Tucson. Course is not particularly difficult to walk, in terems of elevation change, but it is a bit of a slog between tee boxes. The greens are excellent, well manicured as is the rest of the course. If you get an early time for a rate at $25with a cart, which I was fortunate to, then it is a real steal of a deal. Beware, though, to get to the tee area prior to your tee time. I failed to do so as I was at the driving range and missed my time, but the starter was very helpful. One note of care: the driving range requires 4 for 35 balls, and it dispenses to a bucket, make sure you have the dollar bills if you want to get a few practice balls prior to tee time. Bring your camera.
Fred Enke is a pretty challenging course; bring extra balls if you don't shot sub 90s. Scratch that, just bring extra balls no matter what the handicap; you low handicappers are gonna try and overpower the course at least on the first or second try. The desert has a way of swallowing poorly struck balls. Of all the city courses, this has always been the easiest to walk on, I think its due to its east side location. Okay, maybe El Rio is easier, but that course needs help. There are no easy holes, you have to play what the course gives you. With that being said, Fred Enke is a fair golf course. There are the rewards for cutting the corner, but if you miss, you'll have to retrieve it from occasional havelina that wonders onto the course. If you are a walker, plan on bringing your hiking shoes; its a long march. It doesn't have the plush landscape of Randolph or Dell Urich, but it definitely brings a greater challenge; plus you don't have to fight off the crowds that hoard Randolph or Dell.
Ive played Enke several times before, and its been in good shape. This time, however, it was more difficult than I imagine a US Open layout to be. The fairways were cut very narrow, and the rough around the greens and fairways was very high, i.e.. two to three inches. It was so high that I lost three balls that were well-hit in what should have been fairway, because the grass was so high I could not see my ball unless I was standing directly over it and looking down on it. We were told after the round that their mower was broken.(?) Seems that most if not all of the courses in Arizona skimp on maintenance in the summer, because they're saving money to put back into the course when the big money season comes in the winter. This is not the first time weve been stung by poor summer conditions, and believe me this was far from the worst. At least the greens and fairways, as narrow as they were, were in good playing condition. Thanks.
