Had the wonderful pleasure of playing Skyline Country Club on Friday after Thanksgiving. It is an old, classic course design that was clearly created in anticipation of an older community where going ... Continue »

Had the wonderful pleasure of playing Skyline Country Club on Friday after Thanksgiving. It is an old, classic course design that was clearly created in anticipation of an older community where going long off the tee in most cases is simply not an option. But it makes up for its lack of length in many ways from 1-18. I would compare it in many ways to Knollwood in Granada Hills, only in pristine condition from tee to green and much narrower and shorter. Tee boxes and holes are all well separated, sidewindering up and down the many elevations and between the many beautiful homes and condos that line the course. From the black tees, the course is only 6138 in length, but its small, relatively fast greens, many doglegs requiring precise direction AND distance, narrow tee boxes with little room for error, and mature borders of trees, hills, cacti and desert architecture, make it a formidable challenge for those without consistent, pinpoint accuracy. The conditions are about as close to perfect as anyone would require. Lush fairways (perhaps even a bit too shaggy) cover the entire course from 1-18. The tee boxes are also in great shape and are definitely a bit too shaggy, but doesn't matter with a tee. The sand was very good and consistent, as was the rough cut perhaps an inch higher than the fairways. The greens? Again, very small but not ridiculously challenging. Showing a bit of recent aeration, but not affecting roll or speed whatsoever. Putting relatively fast (9.5-10.5) but certainly some varying tiers to deal with and some dangerous dropoffs if putting too aggressively. They will make you work, but you'll be rewarded for the effort. I played as a single and was sent out to the 10th hole to start with a 9:53 tee time. Passed a foursome after 13th but was feeling somewhat rushed and playing terribly for the first 6-7 holes, so when I caught another threesome on 18, I just decided to settle in behind them and realax to enjoy the game and views more. It worked a charm, going just 6 over the last 11 holes when I got to the front 9. And ultimately finished my round in 3:45, so waiting cost me little. Skyline has a grass driving range that looked nice, but I never had a chance to put it to use. Saw plenty of maintenance vehicles around course, but strangely no cart girl. However, this seems to be a very senior-oriented locale that likely is rarely terribly busy, so the mobile eats and drinks may not be so necessary regularly. That being said, the clubhouse is very commanding, as are the views high above Tuscon from the nice bar area which serves a delicious sandwich. Overall a terrific experience despite many potential pitfalls associated with shorter, narrow old-timey tracks. Very lucky to have been presented the opportunity to play another private course, and appreciative of the great conditions despite what would seem to be a modestly played course. I look forward to a return trip to do much better on the holes that got the best of me while first trying to figure the course out. Oh yeah, took various pictures of every hole to give a better idea of the place, so feel free to check them out later once uploaded.