Black Mesa is an absolute gem...but is it doomed?

[Chris Pearson]

I played one of the most enjoyable rounds of my life at Black Mesa today. The routing is dramatic, dynamic, and engaging, and no two holes are alike. Baxter Spann really did an incredible job on every facet of this course—in fact, I'm not sure I've ever had more fun chasing my ball around.

As some of you may know, however, Black Mesa has experienced some hard times since at least 2011.

Due to watering issues, conditions were mostly subpar, but at least the greens were in excellent condition. They appear to be understaffed, too, as certain maintenance items like bunker and large shrub/tree management aren't being attended to at all. Many of the strategic washouts and waste areas are also in need of some TLC.

I was a bit saddened when I read the glowing review of Black Mesa here on this site and saw how gorgeous the course was shortly after it opened. It's terrible to see such an incredible track decline so much in only 13 years.

Black Mesa is almost certainly one of the top 100 routings in the US. Now that the course is owned by a nearby casino (which presumably has the funds and desire to restore it), it may be on the road back to righteousness...or at least I sincerely hope that's the case.

If you're in or around the Santa Fe area, most people will probably tell you to head down to Paa-Ko Ridge. They're not necessarily wrong, but you will have more fun and experience one of the best routings of your life if you head on up to Black Mesa instead.

[James Brown]

+1


I am an UNM alumnus and get out to NM every few years to play and am hold my breath on Black Mesa.  It is truly a gem.

[Will Peterson]

I was there in 2012, and it was in terrible condition.  Playing surfaces were basically weeds, dead or dirt, and the edges were awful with the bunkers falling apart.  All I thought is that it was such a same since it could be a really fun course.

[Ronald Montesano]

One of my regrets during my journey last autumn was that I had one night in Santa Fe, not even daylight enough to see either course. The bit that I sampled at Butterfield Trails and Rustic Canyon afforded me the knowledge that desert golf is as foreign to the parklander as is links golf.

[Charles Lund]

My other post related to Paa Ko Ridge mentioned a round in 2011 in May when the course was in bad enough condition I didn't play another round there.

They claimed then the issue was the cold winter but Paa Ko Ridge eas in nice shape.

I suspect the issue was fallout from the recession and lack of money, which probably led to letting things go.

I agree that the layout itself was superb.  I think it went from number one in the state to number five, but ratings tend to more affected by design factors than conditioning.  The extent of the drop in ratings would suggest that five years later, the decline in conditioning persisted. 

Charles Lund

[Jason Hines]

I played in August of 2014 and 11 years prior, my quick update, photos and previous updates attached.  It sounds like nothing has changed much since then which of course is disappointing because when I was there, I did see posted signs about improvement, areas marked off, people working on the bunkers, etc. and it was playable.  Really enjoyed this course and was there for the GCA Land of Enchantment tour, I hope things work out in the end but based on these updates, I am beginning to lose hope.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,56847.msg1392846.html#msg1392846

[Chris Pearson]

See my update on the specifics of the current condition of Black Mesa (June 2016).

[Bill_McBride]

This is a tragedy in the scale of Apache Stronghold.   The two are the best desert courses I've ever played.   Hopefully things will improve in the future for both but it's hard to be confident. 

[astavrides]

I've been calling the past 2 weeks and no one has answered the phone, and no answering machine/voicemail. Somebody posted on tripadvisor.com that in Sept. they started closing the course on M, T, and Wednesdays. I suppose it is possible that they are still open, but not answering the phone. I called nearby Towa GC both this weekend and last weekend, and they didn't know anything other than to confirm that theywere only open 2-3 days a week. I was going to go play it last weekend, but it's an 80 minute drive, so I'm not going to go unless I know that there are still flags in the holes.
It's been about a year since I was last there.

[Steve Lang]

   Last time we were there, sept 2010, the dandelions were invading, but the drinks at the Pink Adobe in Santa Fe were still a hit! The Land of Enchantment event there was great fun... as was watching ms sheila out putt Ran from the back of 16th green challenge.

BM looks green on Google Earth vintage 2015 view...

ps let's not forget Mike Nuzzo helped Baxter there

[Mike Nuzzo]

 
ps let's not forget Mike Nuzzo helped Baxter there

Thank you Steve, but I didn't help Baxter other than a couple renderings, photos and tag along site visits.
The biggest help may have been to assist with throwing a great New Mexico party.
The first time I met Baxter he shared the routing and grading plans for Black Mesa - I thought they were remarkable.
I don't know anything about the current state of the course, I hope it has a bright future.


As for the golf trip we got as far as Pinion Hills and Riverview where Baxter added 9 fun holes.
http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/adam-clayman-september-2003/


Cheers

[astavrides]

I'm happy to report that they are still open. They said their phone line had been damaged and it took 'an act of congress to fix it'. At least 3 weeks. They are closed M, T, W due to lack of play, but open Th-Sundays.


The course was in playable, but not good, shape. Maybe about the same as the past 2 years, maybe a little worse. Greens, tee boxes, and fairways (for the most part) are fine. Just some squirrely lies and not a lot of good grass if you aren't on the fairway. No real sand, and some grass, in the bunkers, but they were playable. Apparently, they had a water issue earlier in the year which just about ruined the conditions, but it has come back nicely. I was told they have a water contract in place now and have a contract to remain open for [at least?] 5 years. There was optimism that the conditions would continue to improve each year.

[Peter Pallotta]

Interesting the fine line between sublime golfing conditions/maintenances practices and poor ones. Look with/from a slightly different slant and angle and you have:

Minimal inputs/environmentally sustainable regime
Architectural interest and challenge
Fairway lines that blur away into unmanicured scruff (like at Pinehurst No. 2)
Random bounces
Firm and fast conditions
Very little rough
Only limited/select tee times
Understated presentation
Bunkers that are indeed Hazards

Maybe the owners should call in C&C and announce a major restoration, but then pay them to do actually nothing for 6 months except for media interviews at the grand re-opening...

Peter

[Jim Franklin]

Black Mesa, IMHO, was better than Paako Ridge and dramatically more fun. I loved my visit and am truly sorry to learn that conditions have deteriorated so much. I would think that casino would spend some money on improvements so they can send their gamblers there.

[astavrides]

Black Mesa, IMHO, was better than Paako Ridge and dramatically more fun. I loved my visit and am truly sorry to learn that conditions have deteriorated so much. I would think that casino would spend some money on improvements so they can send their gamblers there.

I don't know a lot about this, but the casino that owns Black Mesa seems to be a lot smaller and take in much less money than the casino 10 minutes down the road, closer to downtown Santa Fe, that is associated with Towa GC. Too bad, because Black Mesa is a much, much better layout. Actually, Towa is in much better shape than Black Mesa, but still not really in good shape. The casino courses in Albuquerque (Santa Ana, Twin Warriors, and Sandia) are all always in great shape (although the other casino course in ABQ, Isleta, is a notch below, but still in better shape than Towa).

[Duncan Cheslett]

I'd never heard of Black Mesa but have had a look at Ran's review and it does look a spectacular course.


However, at a time when water resources are fast becoming one of the world's most pressing environmental issues, how is justifiable to maintain a golf course in the middle of a desert?


Surely golf courses generally should be located in places where they can be largely self-sufficient in water?  After all, ski resorts are only located in areas that are largely self-sufficient in snow...

[James Brown]

I'd never heard of Black Mesa but have had a look at Ran's review and it does look a spectacular course.


However, at a time when water resources are fast becoming one of the world's most pressing environmental issues, how is justifiable to maintain a golf course in the middle of a desert?


Surely golf courses generally should be located in places where they can be largely self-sufficient in water?  After all, ski resorts are only located in areas that are largely self-sufficient in snow...

I'm not sure the problem is the water bill for Black Mesa, rather declining demand and a management/ownership that doesn't understand golf - or the potential of the course. 

[Kevin Robinson]

Wow...was out there just a little over a month ago. Drove right by it on my way to Taos. Thought to myself "...this must be THE Black Mesa everyone talks about"!
Couldn't really see the course, but the topography looks incredible...
Alas, I was on my honeymoon and didn't dare go and check it out

[Richard Hetzel]

I am currently researching a trip out West this summer in July. Black Mesa is currently at the top of my list to play while in NM, BUT...from what I am gathering lately they lost their well, and while I don't mind "so-so" conditioning (with great greens), it sounds like things are really bad there.


I am pretty excited for the road trip and my line up is looking like:


Fort Leonard Wood GC (want to see base as I went to basic there in 1987) (MO)
Univ New Mexico GC (NM)
Paako Ridge (NM)
Black Mesa (hopeful that it's playable) (NM)
Twin Warriors (NM) maybe
Marty Sanchez(NM)
Pinon Hillsv(NM)
Moab Golf Club (UT)
Hideout GC (UT)
USAF Eisenhower (maybe) (CO)
Fossill Trace  (CO)
Wild Horse (NE)
Awarii Dunes (NE)

[Matthew Petersen]

I am currently researching a trip out West this summer in July. Black Mesa is currently at the top of my list to play while in NM, BUT...from what I am gathering lately they lost their well, and while I don't mind "so-so" conditioning (with great greens), it sounds like things are really bad there.


I am pretty excited for the road trip and my line up is looking like:


Fort Leonard Wood GC (want to see base as I went to basic there in 1987) (MO)
Univ New Mexico GC (NM)
Paako Ridge (NM)
Black Mesa (hopeful that it's playable) (NM)
Twin Warriors (NM) maybe
Marty Sanchez(NM)
Pinon Hillsv(NM)
Moab Golf Club (UT)
Hideout GC (UT)
USAF Eisenhower (maybe) (CO)
Fossill Trace  (CO)
Wild Horse (NE)
Awarii Dunes (NE)

If you can get on Eisenhower at USAFA, do so. The Blue is a really wonderful course.

[Garland Bayley]

...

However, at a time when water resources are fast becoming one of the world's most pressing environmental issues, how is justifiable to maintain a golf course in the middle of a desert?

...

Wow.  Time to close all Southern California courses then.  One way to keep them from trying to steal water from OR/WA or AK. 


One reference to Southern California written by one of our beloved National Park personnel is Cadillac Desert.


Additional EDIT.


My feeling about Black Mesa is that it is too much a cartball course and not enough a golfing course.

[astavrides]

...

However, at a time when water resources are fast becoming one of the world's most pressing environmental issues, how is justifiable to maintain a golf course in the middle of a desert?

...

Time to close all Southern California courses then.  One way to keep them from trying to steal water from OR/WA or AK. 


One reference to Southern California written by one of our beloved National Park personnel is Cadillac Desert.

Technically, most of the inhabited parts of socal are not in a desert (10 inches of rain per year), or at least they didn't use to be.

[Garland Bayley]

...

However, at a time when water resources are fast becoming one of the world's most pressing environmental issues, how is justifiable to maintain a golf course in the middle of a desert?

...

Time to close all Southern California courses then.  One way to keep them from trying to steal water from OR/WA or AK. 


One reference to Southern California written by one of our beloved National Park personnel is Cadillac Desert.

Technically, most of the inhabited parts of socal are not in a desert (10 inches of rain per year), or at least they didn't use to be.

Read the book Cadillac Desert and see if you still hold that opinion.


Or, maybe CA should start renaming landmarks like Salton Sea.