Anyone Live Near El Paso

[choeppner]

Hey Guys,

 

Looks like I am going to be moving to El Paso in Feb. Anyone on here live near there? Any advice on the Courses or Living Conditions?

 

Thanks in advance

 

-Chris

[tbowles411]

Dude, you're finally leaving GA? Learn to hit it low my friend!

[choeppner]

Yep Got an e-mail saying I am on orders for Fort Bliss. LOL Been on Fort Stewart since 2000, so I am ready for a change. LOL I'll tell you...Telling the wife though was not the funnest thing to do. LOL

-Chris

[whatever]

My in-laws live in El Paso (Father-in-law was stationed at Ft. Bliss, then retired there as a CSM a few years back).

There are a couple of nice courses close to Ft. Bliss. Painted Dunes is a public course that is usually in decent shape. A year or two ago the management changed and I haven't played there enough since then to speak of its current condition. Not toopricey, but can get crowded on the weekends.

Butterfield Trail is a GREAT track near Ft. Bliss. It opened in the last couple of years. It's a bit more pricey, but worth it IMO (there may be military discounts). It's a Tom Fazio track and was built to attract out-of-town convention goers (or something like that). When I go to visit the in-laws this is where I prefer to play if time permits even though they live two miles away from Painted Dunes.

If you feel like taking a drive into Las Cruces, New Mexico (~45 minute drive) there is Sonoma Ranch. I've only played the course once but I was very impressed. I've heard good things about the NMSU course but I haven't played it yet.

One word of advice in playing golf El Paso - bring a "desert club" or get ready to have banged up irons.

And do yourself a favor GO TO CHICO'S TACOS.

[Guest]

I lived in El Paso for 17 years and moved away about five years ago. I played out at Santa Teresa for years and then was a member of Coronado CC. Santa Teresa was designed and built by Lee Trevino and some of his partners back in the late 70's and used to be a great facility - 36 holes, great tennis facility, etc. When I first started playing there in the early 80's it was in amazing condition. Unfortunately, due to ownership changes, water issues, etc., it went significantly downhill, and fast, and never recovered. Don't know how it is today, but suspect it has not improved much. But, the layout of both courses is good, so you may enjoy it. They are two very different style 18's, which is unsual for a 36 hole facility.

As was stated above, there are a few good courses like Painted Dunes and Butterfield, which are fairly decent tracks. Painted Dunes is a public track and gets a lot of play. Its and interesting and enjoyable layout. Butterfield is more expensive, but for locals it is a fairly good deal and is worth the money as it is a good design and is usually in really good shape. There is a muni near the airport that used to be called Cielo Vista. I think they have changed the name. I understand that they re-did the course and I understand it is decent now.

Unfortunately, for a city of its size, El Paso does not have that many good courses - demographics have a lot to do with that. So, you don't have that many options.

Nearby Las Cruces has a couple of good courses, one of which is the University course which is a good test and affordable.

Learn to hit it low, because it does get very windy out there - especially in the spring.