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 The opening statement of the elegance in store for guests is apparent in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. The recent opening of The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona, provides an exclamation point to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course already on the property. The 250-room Ritz, nestled in the high Sonoran Desert in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains about a 25-minute drive northwest of Tucson, blends in beautifully with the rugged landscape. Natural materials were used in the construction of the hotel, which also includes 44 casitas and is nestled at the base of a rocky and cacti-dotted peak on the 850-acre property. The location and elegance of the Ritz brand allows guests to experience a variety of activities ranging from serene to exhilarating.  A trip around the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club (right) offers a little of both in that range of emotions. At more than 7,800 yards from the back tees, the course, which has been the site of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship the past two years, was designed by Nicklaus to test the top 64 golfers in the world. But his design team also knew that double-digit handicappers would be playing the course, so four other teeing options are available to cut down on the forced carries from the tee.“Mr. Nicklaus did a phenomenal job carving this tournament golf course out of the terrain here,” said Jeff McCormick, director of golf operations at the facility that has three-nine hole options — Saguaro, Tortolita and Wild Burro. “Tee to green is as good as it gets. From a playability standpoint, I think it truly fits all levels of golf.” No matter the level, golfers are advised to roll some balls on the practice green before teeing off, because most of the challenge comes on the 18 massive and undulating putting surfaces. “There’s definitely a lot of strategy involved on the approach shots because of the greens,” McCormick said. “But you can use the slopes to your advantage depending on pin positions. Mr. Nicklaus said he built the course with match play in mind, so putting, as with golf in general, is the name of the game.” The Saguaro and Tortolita nines are the ones used for the Match Play Championships, but Wild Burro is reportedly Nicklaus’s favorite layout. All have a grand feel because of the generally wide fairways and 3D-like long views of the mountains, with the Saguaro a bit more open and containing two of the three water features on the 27 holes. The Tortolita has more of a rugged feel, with five holes hugging the hillside, and the Wild Burro has the other water hazard and three holes with forced carries off the tee and to the green. “Players will experience it all here,” McCormick said. “This is the best that high-desert golf has to offer.” The golf course also has a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse that includes Cayton’s, a casual restaurant serving American cuisine with a Southwestern twist indoors or outdoors on the expansive patio. Dining options at the hotel include Ignite, an indoor-outdoor facility with an innovative drink menu; Turquesa Latin Grill, a poolside restaurant open for lunch and happy hour; and CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar, where artist-chef Joel Harrington will spice up any evening with his “desert fringe” menu of flavorful offerings.  Working up an appetite is easy for adventurous guests, with swimming, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, ATV tours of the desert and a fitness center among the recreational and exercise options.But if relaxing is more your idea of a proper vacation, then the Ritz-Carlton Spa is a must add to the agenda. With men’s, women’s and coed lounges, two suites for couples and groups, indoor and outdoor pools with mountain views, and spas and whirlpools available, it’s a great place to spend part of the day indulging in one of the spa’s signature treatments or stopping in for a quick massage after a round of golf or an exhilarating day in the desert. “We’ve got a terrific golf course, an incredible clubhouse, a wonderful staff, a new Ritz-Carlton hotel that is second to none and the honor of being selected as the site for the Match Play Championship,” McCormick said. “Having the top 64 players in the world calling your course home for a week gives us a big sense of pride. It will only help us build on the reputation that comes with a Ritz-Carlton property.” ALSO SEE: Arizona's Encanterra Golf and Country Club has quickly gained acclaim Xona Resort Suites an ideal home base for golfers visiting Scottsdale |
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