New Mexico/Arizona

[Jim Johnson]

My wife and I are flying into Phoenix May 15th and then traveling through n.e. Arizona and n.w. New Mexico for 10 days before flying back home out of Phoenix. We're intent on checking out Apache Stronghold on Thursday May 16th (anybody interested?) and after that we'll head into New Mexico...looking at playing Paa-Ko Ridge, Black Mesa, and Pinon Hills, among others.

I play to a 14, and my wife is a solid 35. We enjoy the newer courses out there, and tend to shy away from traditional "parkland" courses. Water on 14 holes is not something we prefer either. We won't mind playing cartball as we'll be on vacation and a bit lazy.

Just curious what the tree-house would suggest for us in our travels? We'll take "Stay & Plays" where we can find them, and we also enjoy quiet comfortable B&B's when available. Also looking at checking out some great scenery and points of interest.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

Jim

[Jason Topp]

Jim

I have driven in NW New Mexico twice and both times the road got narrow, windy and unpaved so we turned around.  As for golf, consider Twin Warriers and the other course  they manage which I liked more.  I have stayed at Sandia and liked the hotel/casino and the golf course is ok. Nothing tops Sante Fe so block a good amount of time to stay there. I like Black Mesa quite a bit more than Paa Ko so schedule extra rounds there.

Scenery will not be a problem unless you take the I40 which gets dull in Western NM and Eastern AZ. 

[Andy Troeger]

Jim,
Golf in New Mexico is generally pretty affordable, and many of the courses are affiliated with local casino hotels for stay and play purposes.

If you'd prefer to play a couple courses multiple times, then I find Black Mesa and Paa-Ko to be well ahead of anything else in the state. Paa-Ko doesn't get much credit here, but its very scenic and enjoyable to play. Its not "natural" in the slightest and the cart is pretty much standard there. Whatever you do when you play Black Mesa, stay in Santa Fe and not Espanola. As Jason said, Santa Fe is worth seeing, at least if you have any interest in art and that kind of thing. I also think the Sandia Tramway to the top of the mountain near Albuquerque is fun as long as you don't have a fear of heights. Tent Rocks between Santa Fe and ABQ is a fun short hike with some cool rock formations that are very unique.

Back to the golf...Pinon Hills is probably next on the to-do list. Dalton Ranch in Durango is pretty good, and I think Durango is a cool mountain town as well. Only 45 minutes from Farmington. Dalton Ranch isn't as good as Pinon, but its as good as most of the other Albuquerque (ABQ) courses I could send you to (see below) and probably has better scenery. Once down in ABQ, Twin Warriors is pretty nice but far more expensive for out-of-towners than the others. Santa Ana is almost as good and easier on the wallet. Pueblo de Cochiti is fun and sporty--also within a few miles of Tent Rocks. I'd go there. Sandia is very playable and gives the resort player room to play. UNM Championship is admittedly the closest thing in ABQ to a parkland style routing, but its on the side of a hill and has plenty of interest as well. Marty Sanchez is the muni in Santa Fe and is pretty good as well. Honestly I think out of that group of courses you pick the ones that fit your preferred style--none great on a national level but all have something to offer.

If you're looking for company I might be able to join you on Saturday, May 18th, if you're close to ABQ. I'm headed out of town myself on the 19th for San Francisco and I think you'll be gone by the time I return. Happy to help with any other suggestions on food or things to do while you're here.

[Bill_McBride]

Andy, last time I was there, Durango was in Colorado!   

[Andy Troeger]

Oops...I had something in my mind about "in southern Colorado, but only 45 minutes from Farmington" but it never made it to the screen.

Maybe they'll move the border...who cares about that four corners concept!

[Bart Bradley]

I love Durango as a town...I am not too high on Dalton Ranch golf however.  It is not worth the extra driving for golf reasons alone, but might be worth it if you spend some time enjoying Durango.

For the average person, Paa-Ko is very cool...only us GCA-types find a lot to quibble about...

Otherwise, Andy is the man! 

Bart

[Andy Troeger]

Bart,
I dunno, the last 20 minutes of the drive are pretty spectacular. That might be worth it without the golf!

Dalton is no architectural marvel, but its fun and the views are spectacular. I think that alone makes it pretty memorable. Once you get past Black Mesa and Paa-Ko, I think the rest are all about the same. If Jim is going to drive all the way up to Farmington from Phoenix/Globe, then 45 more minutes is nothing. Lodging in Durango will be quite a bit more expensive than Farmington, unless you get lucky and they haven't started summer rates yet.  Depending on access, The Glacier Club might be worth consideration too.

Jim,
Since you'll likely drive right by it, Torreon in Show Low, AZ might be worth checking out. I believe its private, but no harm in calling to find out. I've not played it, so maybe one of the others can chime in. They have two courses.

[Adam Clayman]

Jim, I could add Conquistador in Cortez, Co. and The Hideout, in Monticello Utah, if you want to take a circular route through the region. The former is a Press Maxwell museum piece, and the latter is a Forest Richardson/Jack Snyder Superfund renovation of a local muni. Both may be more parkland than you like, but neither is too narrow, or all tree lined holes.

One other route could take you to Moab, Ut. They have an interesting layout in amongst the red rocks.  And if you're really feeling free, Devils Thumb in Delta, Co. is one of Rick Phelps best, and I believe the last course his dad routed before he retired.

[Jim Johnson]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions thus far.

Has anyone golfed at Towa Golf Resort? Or Sierra del Rio at Turtleback Mountain? If so, comments?

Thanks.
Jim

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Jim,

Mid May is a good time to visit Apache Stronghold. There might actually be grass there then.

[Adam Clayman]

Towa was a sad excuse, 10 years ago.

[Andy Troeger]

Sierra del Rio is similar in quality to that last tier of courses mentioned earlier. Only worth seeing if you're looking for a different route back to Phoenix (assuming you are flying out of PHX).

Towa's golf course is nothing special, although the hotel has been redone and the conference room parts are nice enough. I would assume the rooms are too. I think you'd get a more authentic New Mexico experience finding lodging in Santa Fe itself though.

[Jim Johnson]

Jim,

Mid May is a good time to visit Apache Stronghold. There might actually be grass there then.

That's what I'm hoping, Steve!

[Jud_T]

Jim,

Why not check out Talking Stick North when in Phoenix?  $70 after 2 PM at that time of year.  Just remember to hydrate...

[Andy Troeger]

Jim,

Why not check out Talking Stick North when in Phoenix?  $70 after 2 PM at that time of year.  Just remember to hydrate...

Because the twilight rate at Black Mesa is $55. Better deal, better golf course, better weather in May! 

But its still the desert--the hydrate part always applies!

[mike_beene]

It has been a long time since I was there,but Santa Fe Country Club out by the racetrack while not spectacular was always a fun walk with views of the high desert and was kept very well.Due to water issues it was always easy to access.Not fancy at all but more reasonable than the Los Campanos courses.