By Shane Sharp, Regional Staff Writer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Is the Arizona summer wearing on you? How about
the beautiful but repetitive Sonoran desert landscape? Need a new
drug? How about a golf trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico? That's right,
Arizona's sister state may not be talked about in such superlatives
as the Grand Canyon State, but the Land of Enchantment's biggest
burg serves up some high quality golf at very reasonable prices.
What's more, at over 5000 feet of elevation and a latitude equal
to Flagstaff, the Duke City is about ten degrees cooler than Tucson
this time of year, and up to 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Multi-course
facilities are the norm in Albuquerque, and not the exception.
And with some of the spiciest, richest chow in the American southwest,
a golf binge to Albuquerque in the late summer or early fall is
a no brainier. Here is a sampling of the local area tracks:
ISLETA EAGLE - One of Albuquerque's newest and most popular
courses, the Eagle serves up twenty-seven holes of links style
golf set along the banks of the Rio Grande. Each nine hole combination
provides a different challenge of golf.
To see every inch of the course, play from the tips using the
Lakes and Mesa nines, playing to a heroic 7538 yards. For a more
realistic pairing, play the Lakes and Arroyo or the Mesas and
Arroyo nines from the middle tees, measuring 6522 yards and 6613
yards respectively.
Adding to the excellence of the Eagle is a carefully crafted
clubhouse, and efficiently laid out, top notch practice facilities
including a practice range that over looks the beautiful Rio Grande
Valley. Tee times -(888)293-9146.
SANTA ANA GOLF CLUB - Yet another 27 hole, links style layout
located about 20 minutes north of the city on the Santa Ana Pueblo.
Scenery is anchored by the Sandia mountain range, the Rio Grande
River, and eight sparkling lakes that will challenge any golfer
to keep their mind on the task at hand.
Santa Ana appeals to a wide-range of players. A combination of
the Tamaya and Cheena nines produces a healthy 7350 yard round
of golf from the back tees, while the average distance from the
middle tees of any 18 hole combination is a manageable 5930 yards.
Quickly becoming Albuquerque's premier course, with Nike and LPGA
tour events planned in the near future. Tee times - (505)867-9464.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE - A Red Lawrence
designed layout, the Championship Course is widely regarded as
the longest, most challenging tract in the Duke City. Phil Mickelson
once shot a 59 here, and with the course's elevated greens and
tees, numerous ridges and smattering of bunkers, the average duffer
has to wonder how Lefty hasn't captured a major. Head to the nine
hole course on the north campus for a quick mid-day excursion.
Tee Times - (505)277-4546.
PUEBLO DE CONCHITI - Robert Trent Jones Jr. course that is worth
the 45 minute drive north of the city. Second tier only because
it is just outside the nucleus of a quick morning jaunt. Meandering
among the foothills of the Jemez Mountains, the course provides
astounding views of the surrounding mountains and endless countryside.
As close to a "target" style course as you will find
in Albuquerque. Tee times - (505)465-2230.
PARADISE HILLS - Yet another Red Lawrence gem. Paradise Hills
is the venerable old man of the Albuquerque golf scene boasting
a more traditional layout with mature vegetation and greens. A
relatively level course that relies on its pure and simple design
to impress. True rolling greens and long tree lined fairways can
be a pleasant departure from the abundance of local area links
style courses. Tee times - (505) 898-7001.
THE MUNI'S
ARROYO DEL OSO (505-884-7505) - Considered by most locals to
be the most challenging and well kept of the municipal courses.
A twenty-seven hole facility that meanders through the Bear Canyon
Ditch in north Albuquerque. Tee times - (505)884-7505.
LADERA - Longest of the local muni's presents threatening water
hazards on the finishing holes of both nines. Solid practice facilities
and a 9 hole executive course to boot. Tee times - (505)836-4449.
LOS ALTOS - Built in 1960, Los Altos is the oldest Albuquerque
muni course. Classical layout consisting of level, wide open fairways,
a fair amount of bunkers, as well as a 9 hole executive course.
(505) 298-1897.
PUERTO DEL SOL - A regulation 9 hole layout that is sufficiently
bunkered and long to provide a challenging round. Fine tune your
game into the wee hours with the area's only lighted driving range.
(505)265-5636.
BEDDING DOWN
THE INN AT PARADISE (800-938-6161) - Bed and breakfast located
at "the turn" of the Paradise Hills Country Club. Roll
out of the rack in the a.m. onto the first tee. Owner's name is
Lefty - enough said. April through October, $145 for one night
stay, round of golf, range balls and full breakfast. November
through March, get the same deal for $99.
THE ALBUQUERQUE HILTON (505-884-2500) - Golf packages are available
with Santa Ana Golf Club on an a "case by case" basis.
Call well ahead of time to see what packages are available by
season. Room rates average around $109 per night for double occupancy.
Shane Sharp is a staff writer for Myrtlebeachgolf.com and
GolfArizona.com. Contact him at sharp@rockies.com
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