I haven’t played it but I would choose Black Mesa based on reputation. I’ve played ~10 rounds at Twin Warriors and ~5 at Cochiti and I would call those a toss up for someone passing through. Twin Warriors is bigger and more popular, Cochiti is more of a hidden gem in a beautiful remote-ish environment.
Black Mesa for sure. Only played it once but was a great course. Twin Warriors is a good track, but a typical target-golf resort course.
Ok nice, I was leaning Black Mesa. Appreciate the input and excited to get out there 
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By all means, please report back with your take on the high desert links-ish golf experience.
March 3 at 2:00 PM at Black Mesa if anyone wants to hop on it. Figure Refugee acquaintances are much safer to play golf with than complete strangers or coyotes/bears/snakes (what animals live in NM?) 
Absolutely stoked to hit a golf ball. The Minnesota snow can go to hell.
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Coyotes, maybe a bit cool for snakes yet, bunnies fer shuuure, don’t know about bears. We had a short-tailed weasel run through our yard last summer…
I’d love to get out to Black Mesa again, mid-week is tough for me and still recovering from hand sprain. Good luck, hit ‘em straight, and let us know what you think!!
Well NM fam, as we close out the last night in Tesuque before heading to Tucson, wanted to extend the gratitude for the Black Mesa rec. It was a joy of a course, and equally fun to just look at the surrounds and drive the cart on those paths (would’ve walked, but front desk wanted to shut the gate at 5:00).
Will be back in this awesome state ASAP to play it again 
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Glad to hear!! Definitely give us a heads up when you head back through…
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Glad you enjoyed your stop in our fine state! Just only tell cool people about it - the lack of crowds make up part of the charm here. Nice pic, it makes me want to golf and ski.
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Driving through NM for a couple weeks on an epic cross country muni tour. Previously hit Audobon park in nawlens, lions in ATX (where I had the pleasure of meeting @Tron and crew), and have now decided to carry the New Mexico torch. Red Hawk in Las Cruces was a superb value filled with drunk golfers. White Sands NP made me hopeful DM Kidd would convince the National Parks team his design could protect the white lizard population. Marty Sanchez yesterday was amazing in the wind and a very pleasant light snow. Super fun 18 holes in 2.5 hours. Black Mesa is up next. Paako might be included but that would betray my muni mission with its price point. Overall riding hard for the underrated tag on NM golf thus far. Unfortunately missing ABQ for the most part before hitting Scottsdale on my next step.
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Hell yeah brother, welcome. Our state is insanely good for road tripping so I’m glad to hear you are taking plenty of time. I can’t wait to play Marty Sanchez this summer. I played several 100+ degree rounds at ABQ munis last year so going north will be a welcome break from the inevitable heat fatigue. If the Paako sticker shock is too much, give Cochiti a look. If you do end up swinging through ABQ I highly recommend UNM North - a very pleasant 9 hole stroll (purest of pure greens currently) - or any of our three 18 hole munis. I played Ladera in 3:45 as a 4some this mid-morning and conditions were great. Firm and fast everywhere, moreso going forward / away from recent snow.
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Was great to meet you. Epic trip you’re on!
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Any idea of how long Santa Ana’s greens take to recover from aeration? I’m looking at playing there next Friday 4/23, and they aerated 4/4-4/7 per their website.
I’ve probably played it a few weeks after an aeration and they were sandy but rolled ok.
Cross posting from the Texas thread. 5 hour drive from ABQ
Good afternoon everybody!
I am trying to gauge interest in a possible event on September 11th or October 2nd in my hometown of Pampa, Texas. It could be very well a deep sense of nostalgia, but I find that the Pampa Country Club is an excellent old course. The design dates back to the early 30s and was taken on by an “expert architect ”… whatever that means in the 1930s. There was only one guy who was considered an expert in the area and might have crossed over from Oklahoma. No evidence but a hunch.
The videos don’t do the elevation changes justice. Given the fact the rest of the landscape is pancake flat, it’s remarkable they knew to make this piece of land a golf course.
Is it the middle of nowhere… Yes. Can we do a ton as far as golf, food, drink, and for local charity with 100 bucks. Yes. (Thinking CASA of the High Plains)
I know the folks in Pampa and at the Country Club will go out of their way to make us feel at home.
If you have interested, take the attached pole.
Thanks for your time!
AJ
Interested in a Pampa, Texas event?
- Yes (Sep 11th)
- Yes (Oct 2nd)
- No
0 voters
Spending Memorial Day weekend in Albuquerque Airbnb. Not familiar with golf courses in area. Plan on playing Saturday and need suggestion. Would like to keep it under $100 per person. Best bang for buck.
Is the Sandia casino course great?
Also, any good restaurants to check out?
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Sandia looks sweet from the road and I have heard good reviews, but it’s the one course in town I haven’t played. I’d recommend Twin Warriors or Santa Ana if a 30 minute drive doesn’t deter you. Both have great views of our Sandia mountains and are always in great shape, if a tad resort-y in style. Santa Ana is the more straightforward of the two, TW is nicer but more target golf. UNM Championship is a classic, tough track right by the airport. If you prefer a muni, call first thing 7 days in advance. I like Ladera the most but all three are solid. UNM North is a must if you need an emergency nine.
As for food, everyone has their own favorite New Mexican joint - mine is El Patio. Everyone has their favorite local brewery- mine is La Cumbre (and if we disagree about that, you are wrong 
). I haven’t kept up with the foodie scene since moving out to the foothills, but Nob Hill Bar and Grill always hit the spot.
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Unfortunately I think Nob Hill Bar and grill shut down. Luckily my neighbor also said that La Cumbre is the best in town so I guess you won’t have to fight her if you see her on the streets
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My favorites are Twin Warriors, then Sandia, then Santa Ana in order of conditions.
El Pinto is good NM food, I like Toltec brewery in Rio Rancho.
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Had a pleasant experience at Santa Ana this afternoon. I play there only occasionally and usually end up liking that course more than I thought I did. Good conditions all around, though the greens don’t have any fire in them since aerating in early April. For my part I had 11 pars, a shank, two OB/unplayable, and a tap in par after being 6 feet from the hole in two in the par 5 #9/Star, on the way to an underwhelming 82. Drove the ball great but just couldn’t get the irons dialed.
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