I'm just back from a week in Santa Fe during which I played a couple of rounds at Black Mesa for the first time since an initial visit there in September 2004.
My first impression: Black Mesa has improved since 2004, mostly in conditioning and consistency. The greens were slow because it's that time of year in the Santa Fe NM area. They are coming out of winter and all the courses have punched and sanded their greens and nothing is running much over 5-6.
But overall the turf was very solid and firm.
My second and more important impression: Anyone who wants to play a very, very good modern course should not miss Black Mesa. Baxter Spann designed a great test of golf for players of all levels, in a difficult environment with really excellent holes, views, concepts, etc. It does not get old and plays differently every time you play it depending mostly on pin positions.
Black Mesa is a course where the player, regardless of ability, must be patient and self-aware. The punishment for overreaching is severe in almost every case, as the fairways are wide but the native rocky rough is devastating. It is essential to understand how the holes were designed to be played, as the greens can be diabolical if the play of the hole is not carefully planned. The player who keeps his game under control, and is putting well, can score well. The player who sprays the ball, or doesn't understand where to hit the ball off the tee or into the greens, will have a long day.
My advice is to get thee to Black Mesa as soon as possible.
I also had an interesting round at Pa-ako Ridge, and a less interesting round at Cochiti (RTJ Jr), but nothing matches up to Black Mesa for fun in that area.
I had a nice visit with Pat Brockwell - he's doing a terrific job keeping Black Mesa in great condition.