Kino Springs

"Kino Springs Golf Course is located on the historic Estancia Yerba Buena Ranch...In 1691 explorer Father Eusebio Kino found sanctuary at Kino Springs on one of his many expeditions throughout Sonora and Arizona.  A half a century ago, Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons owned the 5,280-acre Yerba Buena Ranch and had frequent guests such as John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor."

 The course was designed by Red Lawrence, who did several courses in Arizona.  It's a varied property, starting and ending with some fairly flat holes 

but the middle 9

go up and down through the canyons.  







The bunkers didn't have much sand in them, but were playable enough.  The greens seem readable, until a putt unexpectedly wanders 6 feet off line.  Then looking from the other side, I could see why that happened.  I guess playing any course for the first time this is to be expected.  Pace of play was good, even with a lot of waiting.  Rumor has it that there was a fivesome up ahead.

The course is on a major North American flyway, a haven for bird-watchers.  We saw some small birds with a bright red head and orange breast.  Much smaller than a cardinal, or even a woodpecker.  Very pretty.  
More pictures.

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