Nicklaus Academy to open at all-new Casino Del Sol Resort in Tucson

TUCSON -- With today's timely grand opening of Casino Del Sol Resort (the ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 11:11 am on 11/11/11) comes an exciting announcement for golf travel enthusiasts. Southern Arizona's hottest destination to stay and play will soon unveil a Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, and a golf course designed by Notah Begay III, the first Native American member of the PGA. The golf course and the first Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in Arizona are scheduled to open 12/12/12 - another momentous day for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

Casino Del Sol, an enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, is a veritable gaming and entertainment mecca offering nearly 1,000 slot machines, live blackjack, poker and bingo. Resort guests enjoy a full spa and fitness center, pool with beachfront entrance, plus six restaurants and three bars that feature live entertainment Thursday through Saturday nights. Guests can also enjoy world-class entertainment at the on-site AVA Amphitheater, such as the already sold-out Tim McGraw concert on Saturday night.

In addition, the 215-room, 161,000-square-foot resort features is ideal for weddings and receptions, offering more than 65,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and convention space.

The brand new Nicklaus Academy at Casino Del Sol will be staffed by Nicklaus Academy professional instructors trained by Mike Malaska, world-wide Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Academies and recipient of this year's PGA National Teacher of the Year Award. The facility will feature an expansive outdoor driving range with both natural and artificial turf tee-lines and well-designed short game areas that are ideal for private and group instruction programs and year around training.

In addition, Nicklaus Academy will develop programs specifically for members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe including 'Introduction to Golf' for all ages, school-age developmental programs, mentoring programs and a scholarship program. Members of the tribe that are interested in becoming part of the Academy staff will be trained and incorporated into the operation of the Academy.

The Nicklaus Academy will offer private and group instruction, on-course playing lessons, corporate groups and clinics, special junior camps, and custom club fittings. Complete "Stay, Learn and Play" packages will be offered through Nicklaus Travel once the Academy and the course are open for play.