Omni Tucson National Golf Resort's Sonoran course offers a pure, modern desert challenge

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Resort is one of two championship courses on site. The golf course was built in 2005 and designed by Tom Lehman, offering an entirely different challenge compared to the classic and original Catalina course at Omni Tucson National Resort. While the Catalina is a traditional, parkland course, the Sonoran is pure, modern desert golf with lots of forced carries, elevation changes and desert lining the fairways. The golf course is short at just 6,552 yards from the championship tees, though the target-style nature makes up for it.

One of the most striking holes is the par-5 15th hole, which plays up a steep hill from the fairway up to the green. No holes play as steeply downhill, though the par-5 11th hole gently tumbles downhill the entire 586 yards.

Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 1

The opening hole on Omni Tucson National Golf Resort's Sonoran course is a gentle, downhill opening shot with a wide fairway.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 3

The third hole on Omni Tucson National Golf Resort's Sonoran course is a downhill, 183-yard par 3.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 4

The par-4 fourth hole on Omni Tucson National Golf Resort's Sonoran course plays downhill and requires a carry over desert on the approach shot.sixth

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 6

The par-3 sixth hole on Omni Tucson National Golf Resort's Sonoran course is flat and plays over water on the Sonoran course.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 8

The par-4 eighth hole on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort is a dogleg right with trouble in front of the green on the Sonoran course.nin

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 9

The long, snaking ninth hole on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort plays 453 yards from the championship tees.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 11

The par-5 11th hole on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort plays downhill the entire way.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 13

The par-3 13th hole on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort plays 169 yards.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 15

No. 15 on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort is a striking par 5, playing steeply uphill the entire way.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - Sonoran course - hole 18

The par-4 18th hole on the Sonoran course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort is 408 yards downhill.

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Omni Tucson National Golf Resort

Omni Tucson National is smaller than the other golf resorts in Tucson with fewer than 200 rooms on 650 acres.

Courtesy of Omni Tucson National

Omni Tucson National Golf Resort - guest rooms

Guest rooms at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort are within walking distance to the driving range and pro shop of the Catalina and Sonoran courses.

Courtesy of Omni Tucson National

Omni Tucson National - Sonoran Course

The Sonoran Course at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa has significant elevation changes throughout its landscape, provided by its location in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Although the dramatic elevation changes can cause some tricky uneven lies, they also provide beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding desert areas.

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