It's no surprise that Tucson is a golf Mecca. More than 300 days of sunshine a year, a major annual tournament (the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship) and a roster of award-winning golf resorts bring thousands of players to the city every year.

Now, one of the city's favorite luxury resorts has unveiled its upgraded signature golf course, offering golfers even more incentive to play. The Westin La Paloma Resort, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, has upgraded all 27 holes of its La Paloma Country Club Jack Nicklaus golf course.

Although the championship course layout has not been significantly altered, the look and feel of the course has been improved. As part of the renovation, the golf course received fresh white sand to reshape the bunkers. Mini Verde Bermuda turf was put down to refresh all the green surfaces, giving the course a lush, emerald-green look. The resort says the new upgrades should dramatically improve the playing surfaces of the golf course.

The Westin La Paloma Resort's guests have access to a newly renovated, award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course. — Photo courtesy of The Westin La Paloma Resort

The La Paloma Country Club, which is operated by Troon Golf, is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best private golf courses in the country by several golf publications. The course recently earned the first Sustainability Award for Community Involvement from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It has also been named one of the most women-friendly golf courses by the organization Golf for Women.

Although the course is technically located at La Paloma Country Club, the course is exclusive to The Westin La Paloma Resort guests and country club members. That means rounds are easy to come by, and there's rarely a wait for play.

Along with improved golfing facilities, The Westin La Paloma has introduced a number of other upgrades around the resort. There's new carpeting and furniture in the main lobby, lounge and dining areas. Each of the 487 guest rooms have been re-designed with new furniture, improved Wi-Fi signals, new TVs and state-of-the-art headboard with built-in LED technology, including adjustable reading lights.

Outside the guest rooms, the resort's fitness center has also been redesigned and filled with the latest workout equipment, too. The tennis courts have new surfaces and fencing, and the entire property has been upgraded with locally sourced ground cover, native desert vegetation and a new lighting system.

The courtyard areas have been resurfaced with beautiful stonework, and there are plush new lounge chairs by the poolside. There are also five new poolside cabanas available for guests and local country club members.

Of course, some things never change: the resort still has the same great views of the cactus-studded Catalina Mountains.