New Mexico 1st time and where to play?? HELP

[edryer3]

Ok,

I am flying into Albuquerque on Sept. 23rd and that is really the only day I have to play. I am a firefighter headed to a Terrorist Bomb Response class at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. I called Paa-Ko Ridge and they are having a tournament that day (Which Sucks that was the course I wanted to play!!) Anyways what other courses would you recommend headed south to play on the way down to Socorro?? I was thinking either Sierra Del Rio which is a little further south of Socorro but not sure. Any suggestions would help. I dont really want to got no more 30-45 away from Albuquerque if there are course around the airport. I also was thinking twin warriors but for $109 not sure the other guys I am traveling with will want to pay that much. They golfers who play one or twice a year and I am a 1 handicap. Thanks for your help. Eric

[farmer]

UNM course in Alb is very nice, and not very expensive.

[Neurotica]

The NM tech golf course is a good little track. Unm is good too just south of the Abq airport.

[cruiz3030]

UNM south is right next to the airport and a great course, NM Tech is also fun. I really like sierra del rio too but its at least an hour south of socorro. Can't go wrong with any of those and all three are pretty inexpensive. If you had thoughts of going to isleta ( also on your way to socorro) I would skip it, isleta has been in bad shape all summer. I also like sandia but I know a lot of people that don't. Both twin and santa ana are good but they are 30 min in the wrong direction and if you go that far I would go 20 min further and go to cochiti. With all that said if it were me I would go to UNM south.

[Seattle_Maslow]

+1 on Cochiti. Was just there last week and couldn't believe how much they've improved the greens. Fast, but receptive. The layout is great alos.

[OspreyCI]

Isleta is an option too. UNM South as a 1 hdcp would be the best challenge for you.

[edryer3]

ok great thanks for the tips!! Now where are the best places to eat around the socorro area???

[Guia]

Go with Sierra Del Rio, very nice course and close to Soccorro. Cochiti is very nice and is about 1/2 way between Albq, and
Santa Fe. If you want to drive north of Albq. I would play Black Mesa. In Albq. UNM South can be a
challenge, 17 miles away in Bernallio try Twin Warriors (at the Santa Ana Pueblo) it is an excellent
track.

Skip playing at NM Tech, the course lacks any character, and looks like it was put together by someone
drinking.

[Guia]

The best place to eat in Soccorro is 7/11.

[edryer3]

Lol. That's awesome 7/11!! Any place outside of Socorro? Good bars?

[edryer3]

Is the Santa Ana golf course any good? Or is Sierra del rio better?

[ws6]

Santa Ana is ok, I like Sandia, Isletta, and Sierra better. UNM South is a good track, but if you want to play a desert course you should go somewhere else.

[Guia]

I play Santa Ana 2 - 3 times a week and from the back tees it is difficult, from the mid tees fairly
average. But it is very well taken care of and always in better shape than Sandia and nicer to look at.
I played Isleta earlier this year and it was a little ragged. I like Isleta but don't consider it as
good as Santa Ana. Twin Warriors is the best of the lot.

UNM from the back can be very difficult. Phil won both of his NCAA titles at UNM.
I personally like Sierra Del Rio and it or Twin Warriors would be my first choice.

PaaKo ate my lunch 2 weeks ago, I'm not going back until I can regain some pride.

Albq. has a ton of good restaurants. But I recommend that you go about 10 miles to San Antonio and eat
at the Owl. They are famous for their Chili Burgers, the ambiance sucks the burger is good. In Albq.
try Barelas, Pinto, Garcia's on Central, or Garduno's. Of course we do have 7/11s for that delicious
micowaved buritto.

[dmac4g]

A second vote for the Owl Bar in San Antonio. It is an absolute dump, but the Green Chile Cheeseburger is incredible! Well worth making the drive.

As for the golf, it all depends on how much you want to drive? UNM will be the most convenient for you as it is right next to the interstate. It is a good course and usually in good condition.

Sorry about having to stay in Socorro, there really is not much there.

[edryer3]

Ok Great. Thanks for all the advice!!! This really helps!