The Canada 18-hole course is a 6,713-yard par 72 with a rating of
72.2 and a slope of 140. The greens were renovated in the summer
of 2000, but retains the charm and challenge of high-desert golf
popular for over a decade. The natural terrain comes into play as
fairways wind through ravines and arroyos. The challenge of this
course is in the proper club selection. Many golfers prefer the
Canada course because it demands a good deal of strategy, requiring
a player to use every club. There's a lot of variety on Caņada -
with considerable mounding, doglegs and elevation changes from the
tee to the green. There are many birdie opportunities on the par
4's, but the risk may outweigh the reward for some golfers.
Hole #16 presents special challenges because the 533-yard, par 5
doglegs to the left. A perfect drive may leave the golfer in the
position to go for the green on the second shot. But the risk is
high because the green is protected by water and by drastic mounding
and three huge bunkers behind the green.
The signature hole is the 183-yard 8th hole, considered by many
to be the toughest par 3 in Tucson. Players drive uphill along a
narrow ridge and aim between two towering Saguaro cacti just 40
yards out from the tee box. The green is surrounded by natural desert
that falls into canyons on either side of the green. Both the 4th
and 5th holes begin from elevated tee boxes surrounded by cacti,
which give the player the opportunity to experience "target golf".
Players must hit strong; well-executed tee shots on these par 4's
to land the ball in these narrow fairways.
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