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Golf in a Mountain Paradise!!!
Where else can you golf in the morning and take a beautiful scenic
drive, experience history or visit interesting attractions in the
afternoon?
The climate and topography of this beautiful
mountain area affords the opportunity for year round golf, while
providing a variety of scenic opportunities and spectacular views of the
Sierra Blanca mountains and the Tularosa Basin with its ceaselessly
shifting sand dunes of White Sands National Monument. Interpretive
scenic vistas and numerous overlooks provide breathtaking views of this
exceptional landscape.
Experience an history that encompasses that of
Native Americans, Spanish Explorers, the Wild West as well as the modern
day birth of the Atomic and Space Age. In South-Central New Mexico you can Golf in the
morning and tour beauty and history in the afternoon (or visa versa).
The South-Central New Mexico area has beautiful and
challenging golf courses at some of the highest elevations in the United
States. Sunny western weather and cool summers make golf enjoyable year
round. A list of Golf Courses in the South-Central New Mexico area is
given below.
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golf Courses |
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Links at Sierra Blanca –
was designed by Senior Tour player Jim Colbert and is
in the Scottish links style. This course is the premier
public course in southern New Mexico and was nominated
to the Golf Digest list of best new public courses in
1991. It was rated 7th best course in New Mexico and
was awarded 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest in 1995. Its
rolling fairways flanked by thick mounds rewards accurate
tee shots and allows you to hit your approach shots
to large undulating greens. A diverse layout of holes
makes for an interesting round. A well managed round
can have you walk the course with lighter feet. This
course is very popular so make sure you call ahead.
Most of the Sun Country Amateur Tournaments make The
Links their home for this area. Women will have a distinct
advantage off the tee boxes.
PUBLIC, 18
holes, 6757 yards, slope 105, rating 63.0 off forward tees. (505)
258-5330.
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Cree Meadows Golf Course
–
is the areas oldest course with an unparalleled view
of the Sacramento Mountains to the west. Affordable,
playable, and immaculately groomed. A short but demanding
course, Cree Meadows sits among a residential area with
some of the best mountain views in the country. Its
tight fairways and small greens call for accurate shot
making and a strong putter. As a semi-private
course, it welcomes outside play and is perhaps the
best course to obtain a preferred tee-time. Green fees
are very reasonable. Several excellent tournaments throughout
the year attract a majority of visitors. The Charlie
Griffin Best Ball is a 3-day tournament in September.
In October, the most popular tournament in the area,
the Doug Bass Memorial incorporates best ball, scramble
and an alternate shot format and moves to two other
courses in addition to Cree Meadows, rotating through
The Links at Sierra Blanca and The Inn of the Mountain
Gods. Women are playing this course because accuracy
is rewarded off the tee and throughout the narrow fairways.
No sand traps are an added appeal for the ladies who
have a very active organization.
Semi-Private, 18 holes, 5766 yards, rating 66.4, slope
104. (505) 257-5815.
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Inn
of the Mountain Gods –
is
a breathtaking mountain course in one of the most spectacular
settings you will ever find. Designed by Ted Robinson,
this championship course boasts an island fairway. Backed
by majestic Sierra Blanca it has been ranked number
one in the state on many occasions and has been listed
in the top 25 golf courses in the United States. Don't
be surprised if you have to wait for the deer or elk
to cross the fairways before you hit your next shot.
This unique design will continually challenge your imagination.
The fast bent greens will get you talking to yourself
as you attempt to read the lie. Keep in mind that the
primary slope is away from that majestic mountain. With
unlimited water, this course is always in excellent
condition. The cross cut fairways leading off into the
ponderosa pine covered hills is truly breathtaking.
Certainly a must play when you visit the area.
This facility is the most challenging of the mountain
courses with fast breaking greens. It plays long
and hard from the forward tees and challenges all aspects
of your game.
PUBLIC , 18 holes, 6834 yards, rating 70.2, slope
128.
(800)
446-2963, (505) 464-7444
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Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club
– uses a Ken Dye design resulting in another mountain course
that will take your breath away. What a wonderful change of venue
between nines. The front is laid out on the mesa among a gorgeous
planned residential area with the No. 6 perhaps the best hole on the
course. Then as you stand on No.10 facing Sierra Blanca, looking over
the valley, you might conjure up the notion that you are ready to
challenge the toughest nine in the state. Don't be surprised if there is
a 6 to 10 shot differential between this course's front and back nines.
Thank goodness No. 18 is the easiest birdie hole on the course so that
you can leave Alto with a warm smile. If you are thinking about moving
to these scenic mountains, this golf course is paradise. It has a strong
women's organization with a high percentage of low handicappers, yet they
are very supportive of new players. The pro's encourage skill
development with yearly clinics for all levels of ability.
PRIVATE, 18 holes, 6593 yards, rating 68.6, slope
128 (505) 336-4231
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Kokopelli Golf Course
–
New in 1999,
Kokopelli is an 18 hole executive golf course located opposite Alto
Lakes Country Club.
PRIVATE CLUB, 18 holes (505) 336-7843
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The Lodge
at Cloudcroft
–
Not far away in
Cloudcroft is New Mexico's highest golf course, second highest in the
world! At 9200 feet, this 9-hole course is laid out among the pines and
aspens. Bring lots of balls and cash to buy more!!
RESORT, 9
holes, 4774 yards. (505) 682-2098.
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Carrizozo Municipal Golf Course
– Just down the
mountain from Ruidoso, an all-season desert course is located in
Carrizozo. This challenging desert course is kept in outstanding
condition and is a golfing bargain. Probably one of the few courses with
a 603 yard par 6 hole. Great for the beginner that doesn't want to feel
intimidated by other groups and wants time to hit a second ball.
PUBLIC, 9 holes, 6530 yards. (505) 648-2451.
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Desert
Lakes Golf Course
– is an 18 hole
municipal course with very affordable ($15) green fees and open year
'round. Excellent lessons available on their own driving range
facility. The front nine is nestled into the foothills of the mountain
range with the back nine located amid spectacular homes and on elevated
greens to keep your guessing. Just 55 miles from Ruidoso in Alamogordo.
PUBLIC, 18 holes, (505)-437-0290
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New Mexico Military Institute
– is a walkers delight.
Located near Spring River in Roswell, the course is fairly flat and
short to boost your ego when you turn that scorecard in. Inexpensive
green fees coupled with a walkers welcome attitude will keep you going
back again and again.
PUBLIC, 18 holes, (505)-622-6033
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Ponderosa Pines Golf Course
– is just nine
miles southeast of Cloudcroft on Highway 130 and a great course to
practice your short game. Reasonable green fees make it affordable for
groups and families to enjoy the sport. A cool and beautiful mountain
course with PGA member Bill Gayso and his wife Mary as hosts and
owners. The course will be changing its layout over the next few
months, so if you have played it before - you definitely need to play it
again and if you have not played it before, wow, are you ever in for a
wonderful treat!
PUBLIC, 9 holes, (505)-682-2995
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Spring River Golf Course
– can be found in
Roswell. It is a pleasant municipal course with the best greens in the
area. Gets lots of play so call ahead. Has a very skilled golf
instructor to help 'fix' your game. 70 miles east of Ruidoso via
Highway 70.
PUBLIC, 18 holes, (505)-622-9506
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Roswell Country Club
– can be found in
Roswell. 70 miles east of Ruidoso via Highway 70.
Par 36, 9 holes, (505)-622-2050
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Spring
River Golf Course
– can be found in
Roswell. It is a pleasant municipal course with the best greens in the
area. Gets lots of play so call ahead. Has a very skilled golf
instructor to help 'fix' your game. 70 miles east of Ruidoso via
Highway 70.
PUBLIC, 18 holes, (505)-622-9506
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Innsbrook Village Country Club
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can be found in
Ruidoso
Par 27, 9 holes,
(505)- 258-3589
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