Perfect conditions forecast for Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Arizona

Watching the final match of the WGC-Accenture Match Play was a little surreal on Sunday – especially when the NBC-Golf Channel telecast opened with shots of a snowman built earlier in the morning on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz.

Luke Donald won the event, after a slight hail delay, and when the sun came out, the golf course looked great on TV.

Fortunately, the freak snow was just that. Most of the time, you can count on great weather in the Tucson area, even in the summer because the elevation is higher than it is in Phoenix, which means it doesn’t get quite as hot. (The forecast for this week in the Tucson area, by the way, is 80 degrees with no chance of rain.)

What intrigues me about playing the Jack Nicklaus-designed Ritz-Carlton Golf Club is that all the holes are very memorable, which is why I hope the event stays there. You would have a hard time finding a better match play course, especially considering the Ritz-Carlton’s finishing stretch. The short par-4 15th is a great risk-reward hole that can really turn a match, the par-3 16th, especially when they hide the pin behind the bunker, can force the hand of whoever is behind, and the 17th and 18th are just plain difficult.

Having played the course a handful of times, I can tell you that it’s a blast. And the other nine holes at the Ritz-Carlton, the Wild Burro Nine (there are 27 holes at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club), is very enjoyable as well, and it might be set up a little better for stroke play.

In any event, the Ritz Carlton Golf Club is a golf course you can play, and the Ritz-Carlton Resort is offering special golf packages right now, starting at $419 per night. Yes, it’s on the pricey side, but this a premium golf course at a premium resort. You’ll be hard pressed to find better rooms, better dining and better service anywhere. The spa, which is incorporated into the natural surroundings, provides a pretty special experience as well. For more information or to book a package, click here.