The Tucson Country Club History

The Tucson Country Club was established in 1947 by a small group of people who purchased a 580-acre ranch located in a remote area of Tucson to provide a unique golfing opportunity and social camaraderie on the growing northeast side.

It allowed for the development of the Tucson Country Club Estates. During its more than 75-year history, the Tucson Country Club has provided its members with 18 holes of exquisite championship golf. The unique tournament history has featured 19 USGA Championship Qualifiers, 8 Arizona Amateurs, 1964 Western Amateur, 1982 USGA Senior Amateur, and the 1992 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur. Tucson Country Club has not only hosted outstanding amateur events but was also home to arguably one of the world’s finest amateur golfers, the late Dr. Edgar Updegraff.

The total membership at Tucson Country Club exceeds 500 families and represents a broad cross-section of the Tucson population, from some of the most prominent business people to retirees. The Club strives to provide the finest private club experience through exceptional services, facilities, and amenities while achieving outstanding value for the members. The Club’s vision is to be the premier and welcoming member-owned country club in Tucson, which preserves its historic place in the community. The clubhouse facility houses dining and meeting areas, a golf shop, locker rooms, a fitness center, and much more.

Tucson Country Club Estates

Tucson Country Club Estates was once a part of a 1,300-acre ranch owned by Charles H. Bayless, a well-known cattle rancher. Bayless rented the land to Mormons of Binghampton (the first Mormon community in Tucson) for truck farms and dairies. In 1935, he sold 580 acres to Lenore Moore for $12,000. Her brother built two ranch houses for "Rancho de la Sombra," a development scheme that failed. The property was sold to Carl and Marie Reininger in 1945.

In 1946, a group of approximately 50 Tucsonans, disenchanted with El Rio Country Club (Tucson's only golf club at the time), decided to purchase a large tract of land well located for a country club and subdivision purposes. They formed a for-profit corporation named Country Club Estates, Inc. The original subscribers paid $5,000 and received 20 shares of stock and a promise of charter membership in the country club to be formed. On Sept 9, 1946, the corporation purchased the Reininger property for $220,000.

The original investors formed a non-profit, "Tucson Country Club" (TCC). Country Club Estates, Inc. loaned $250,000 to TCC to build an 18-hole golf course and improve the existing residences for a clubhouse, dining, and golf facility.

Country Club Estates Inc. proceeded to sell lots in its subdivision. The development and sales were handled by Tucson Realty & Trust & Co., a company owned by George H. Amos, one of the charter members of TCC. Most of the original subscribers wanted to purchase lots and were given a preferential opportunity to do so. They were invited to the event of a sale where they drew a number. Starting with #1, in turn, they could select a lot for purchase. Irene and Andrew J. Pizzini bought the first lot in Tucson Country Club Estates. They chose lot 1, block 8, on Santa Ynez Place because of its close proximity to the clubhouse and its north-facing Catalina Mountains' views.