I played my first round of golf at the new Del Lago Golf Club in 2001; it was the first golf course in Tucson's far east side, in Vail. It was a challenging venue, with water on three holes, and all sorts of elevated shots in a beautiful valley near Interstate 10.
Brian Pearson, golfing at Rancho del Lago golf course in Vail on Oct. 17, 2013.
Unfortunately, Del Lago will close Sunday, Aug. 9. Absentee ownership, financial issues and water problems all became hurdles the Midwest ownership group chose not to battle any longer. In its 25 years of existence, Del Lago grew from an isolated location, with virtually no homes in the area, to a wonderful community with hundreds of homes that lined every fairway.
The greater Tucson area used to be a golf giant, with 33 golf courses. But now that Del Lago is closing, the Tucson metro area has just 27 courses. In the last decade, Canoa Hills, the Golf Club at Vistoso, Davis-Monthan's Blanchard Golf Course, Santa Rita Golf Club, and Rio Rico Golf Club all shut down. It makes you wonder who's next.
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