Land of Entrapment One Year Later

[A_Clay_Man]

A mini reunion, of sorts, occurred the last two days. Baxter Spann came to New Mexico for some work, and some golf.

Highlights this year were:

 I had the honor of golfing my first Bob Baldock course, Four Hills CC. Bult in '54, it's likely the only classic layout I'll see in this region.

Accompanying Baxter and myself was the builder, who's work I've come to know so well I actually felt it at Taos CC, ten days ago. Paul Ortiz is one of those great natured individuals who's humor is actually reflected in his construction. A spirit filled with fun, all of his courses, that I have seen, have some aspect that should make one smiile, or at least emote.

Paul has been in "the business" since '58 and has likely worked with most of the names discussed here. His insight into all aspect of this sport, exuded from this rather modest man. The last two days have been educational, to say the least, and from a practical application perspective, priceless.

Today was religious, Black Mesa still holds that special "feeling" upon approach. As soon as one sees those sexy fairways from the hwy. the juices flow, and it's hard not to get excited about the journey soon to be embarked on. Fun is still the net result.

The greens, and bunkers, were better than last year. After some winter desication on the greens, there wasn't a stitch remaining.  Pat Brockwell deserves all the credit for this and for the accelerated maturation look of the bunkers.

For those who recall the astute observations made by Tom MacWood, from the pictures of those bunkers, he'd be hard pressed to make the same claim now. Hopefully Baxter will post some pics. By growing the grasses(and other native plant life) around (and in)the bunkers, they now have a subtle cragginess to them that gives them the maturity mentioned.

Fore those who believed the course wouldn't suit the higher handicap player, the numbers speak for themselves. Black Mesa is operating in the black, and there is nothing but praise and positive comments coming from those masses of high handicap golfers.

For the more accomplished, the New Mexico Seniors battled it out over this same field (same as last year). The winner was a former tour player named Eaks(sp?). He established a new course record, bettering the old by a shot, to now stand at 66.
 

[Pat Brockwell]

Just a note to follow up on Adam's post- We are now into the best weather of the year and the best conditions, restuarants aren't as crowded either. It's always nice to host avid players so come on out soon!  Sorry if I sound like a schill, but this is prime time.  

[Jim Sweeney]

Adam: you didn't give much information about Four Hills. When I lived in NM and got educated at UNM I'd play it a dozen or so times a year. Short, tight, and very tricky grees, as it sits in the foothills above the airport and adjacent to the nuclear warhead storage facility. I always thought the routing was pretty ingenious given the topography and the housing.

The club has had its share of difficulties over time- membership (quality as well as quantity), financial, vandalism, water rationing, and so forth. I haven't been there in probably fifteen years....could you expand a little on your experience?

[A_Clay_Man]

I'd be happy to Jim.

Four Hills has gone under the knife since you saw it last. Paul and Baxter worked miracles on the bunkers. I never saw the old ones, but from Paul's description, they really made the course mucho better by adding "widow peaks" to almost all of the greenside bunkers. These widow peaks not only reward  accurate distance, their practicality in diverting water away from everyone of them, is genius. The bottlenecking created by the bunkering was definitely a re-occurring motiff. I especially liked the second green, shaped almost like a light bulb, with the pinch near the front, and a widening in the rear.


The fairway movement at Four hills is IMO the strongest design element, save for those tricky greens. There's even one hole on the back, that has a marvelous hillside, that is no longer playable, because of the treeline. Reminants of an old bunker, way to the right of this hole, NLE, but would've been, and still could be, a great resto. Local knowledge should aid the member, even though I shot one of my low rounds of the year there, as a virgin.

The greens were just coming out of top-dressing and took I full advantage by ram-rodding my comebackers home. They seemed to all go in. Conditions were good to great and the relatively new superintendant deserves alot, if not all of the credit.

The trees were not that big a hinderence (even for me) but certainly 9 or 10 shot diactators, is too many. I especially liked the short par 4 (#5)dogleg right, OB left, with a perfectly placed bunker on the inside elbow. Paul Ortiz kept teasing Baxter, saying he was going to have to comeback and move those bunkers, because Baxter kept challenging them, with ample reward upon success. Another potential positive from key tree removal, would open-up some of the vistas of Mt. Taylor( 90 miles away) and the whole valley leading up to her.

I had heard of the membership structure changes and from all accounts they have really worked. The course was full of activity, but did not play slow.

Considering the ground they had to work with, Bob Baldock, has earned my respect.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Here are some additional pictures from the day.  They are Baxter's, I unfortunately stayed home and had none.


The 16th from the first landing area.


The second green from the 6th fairway, or Huckabee's Valley of worse death.


A bunker on the 3rd.

Cheers

[RBSpann]

As Adam and I were soaking in the beauty of the world of Northern New Mexico last Saturday, we wondered if the ancient people who inhabited the site had the same feelings of awe and wonderment of that environment that we felt.  As Adam observed, perhaps they just thought thats how it was everywhere, all the time, and would always be.  Given that I have spent most of my summer in the heat and humidity of Houston, Dallas, and Beaumont, Texas, I must say that from my perspective the setting and the cool, dry air were rare pleasures indeed!

Pat & crew have done a wonderful job of bringing the course back after a difficult winter, and it does truly look better than ever now.  The native vegetation has really begun to establish fully around the edges of not only bunkers, but tees, fairways, and cart paths, stitching the holes to the land a little more each time I see it.

Our early morning sevensome (six golfers and Eddie Peck's chihuahua) was a memorable event to say the least - easily the most fun I've had all year!

[Mike Nuzzo]

Some additional pics...


Par 4 first from fairway, just over the hills.


Par 4 second from fairway.  Valley of more death is left of the green.  And theres a fall away back.


Par 5 third from short right of first landing area.


You know who...

[A_Clay_Man]

At least Shooter will be gratified that I still am wearing the hat.

As everyone can see (ok almost everyone) we were blessed with magic light. That last pic shows one of the best shots I've hit from a sidehile downhill lie, since PG. While it did get cropped out of the image, Baxters full picture shows my head cover at the very bottom left. Yes, folks, it actually says "Adams".

Since this was an attempt to discuss primarily the bunkers and their new look I'm gonna try to post some of the Rawls course. Baxter took these also two days prior.

The third green from second fairway


The third with second green in foreground

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