Surprisingly, not much has been written about Quarry Pines Golf Club in Marana. Its history is spotty at best, but we do know that in 2000, after being open for less than two years, The Links at Continental Ranch was closed and renovated in conjunction with the decision to abandon the sand and gravel quarry located next to the golf course.
The Town of Marana and the course owner agreed to reclaim the neighboring quarry, renovate the course, and bring in over 1,000 pine trees to transform links-style Continental Ranch into Quarry Pines currently managed by Billy Casper Golf. The course plays just 6,496 from the Gold Tees to a Par of 71, a course rating of 70.0, and a slope of 130, much of which can be attributed to the back nine.
Even though the course plays short, it more than makes up for it with really tight landing areas, especially when you get to the quarry. You see that they’ve tipped it out about as much as they can. There’s simply no where else to go. Here are some of the highlights of the round:
Holes Worth Writing Home About
When the course designed by Brian Huntley was renovated, ten holes were relocated into the old quarry, mostly on the back nine, while the other eight holes were altered. Of all the courses I’ve reviewed so far this year, they may be no more difficult starting hole than the one at Quarry Pines. The 524-yard Par 5 isn’t menacing once you get off the tee, but that’s the problem – getting of the tee. Carrying the road is the easy part.
The landing area is extremely narrow with quarry just off the left side off the fairway and homes all along the right. If you miss the short grass, there’s a good chance your ball is gone, and you’re not getting it back. The 10th hole is the practically the same way. Do yourself a favor and play an iron off the tee for position.
When you make the turn, you might as well be on another planet. These are the holes that dip down into and along the top of the quarry, so you get the most dramatic elevation changes. You almost feel like you’re playing a completely different course. They are two very different nines. But the landing areas are still tight.
The 12th hole is yet another example. It’s a 574-yard Par 5, but it’s really narrow coming up and out of the quarry bottom that is the 11th hole. More of the quarry is ready to collect an errant tee shot to the left while a rock wall and saltcedar grove and more open desert stands at the ready to your right. Usually, you expect the Par 5s to be a place to pick-up a few strokes. Not at Quarry Pines.
Quiet Please…
Quarry Pines has bermuda greens. They’re not bad, but they’re not fast either – about what you would expect from an Arizona course in the summer months.
The best rates for Quarry Pines are available online at the course web site, not at GolfNow. I was able to get out after booking a same-day tee time for a little more than $21 after 1:00p.
Fore!
My best shot of the day came on the short Par 4 9th hole. After hitting a 3-wood on the 302-yard hole, I had just 62 yards in and elected to hit a grip-down 60-degree wedge. I chose wisely, leaving the ball 18″ from the cup for an easy, tap-in birdie.
While We’re Young
I love playing fast. I teed off at 1:05 and was back in my car two hours and ten minutes later thanks to play-throughs through a single and a threesome (begrudgingly). I continue to be amazed at groups’ unwillingness to let a single play through. C’mon guys!
Next On the Tee
We’re heading into a long, Labor Day weekend. I was really impressed with Randolph North, and part of me wants to head back out to see what Dell Urich (formerly Randolph South) has to offer.
Portions of this post courtesy of Golf Arizona, and Quarry Pines Golf.