Tubac Golf Resort (Rancho/Otero)

Overview: Rancho/Otero is the longest standard 18-hole combination at Tubac Golf Resort, a historic property set along the Santa Cruz River beneath the Santa Rita Mountains. The Otero nine carries Robert "Red" Lawrence’s original parkland character, with cottonwoods, ponds and fairways threaded through the resort’s historic setting. Rancho provides the longer companion nine and includes the hole associated with Tin Cup. The current scorecard lists par 72 and 6,870 yards from the gold tees, giving this routing the strongest championship feel of Tubac’s three combinations.

History: Tubac’s first 18-hole course opened in 1959 after investors including Bing Crosby developed the former ranch as a golf resort. Lawrence’s original design was later expanded to 27 holes, with the Rancho and Anza nines creating new combinations around the Otero original. Tubac’s film history is inseparable from the property: scenes from Tin Cup were filmed on Rancho, and the resort now marks several locations connected with the movie. The history of the land, hotel and course remains unusually visible during a round.

Did You Know? Rancho’s fourth hole became the famous “Tin Cup Hole” after the movie used the setting for a dramatic shot over water. The production created the film lake for the scene, while the course’s current feature preserves the association.