New Mexico Offers Golfers Some Of The Nation’s Most Beautiful And Challenging Courses

by Jim Weaver

The Towa Golf Club located on the Pueblo of Pojoaque, just minutes north of the Santa Fe, NM, offers an outstanding experience in a breathtaking setting. The public course was designed by PGA Tour Champion Hale Irwin and landscape architect Bill Phillips of Tempe, AZ. They utilized the natural topography and unique natural rock and indigenous piñon trees to create a magnificent, high desert golf course. Surrounded by the majestic Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains, it is one of the most spectacular golf settings in the Southwest.

Three of the four nines currently are open. The Boulder nine, so named because of the amazing rock formations that frame it, also features the only island green in New Mexico (hole #4, 186 yard par 3). The first hole of the Pinon nine is a breath taking, 631 yard, par 5. At 3,332 yards, the Butterfly nine is the shortest of the three nines, but offers challenges for beginner and experienced players alike.

Golf Course Superintendent, David Smith, CGCS. Smith came to Towa in May 2009 after 8 years as superintendent at Pelican Marsh Golf
Club in Florida. He has more than 20 years experience working in the golfing industry and has experience managing tournaments including amateur and mid-amateur qualifiers and championships.

The Towa Golf Course offers twenty-seven holes of excitement for everyone. The first class clubhouse features a Golf Shop and a full service restaurant, bar, and an outdoor patio. Course photos and a virtual tour are available online at http://www.towagolf.com/.

In addition to the outstanding golf course, the Buffalo Thunder Resort (managed and operated by Hilton Hotels) offers a variety of world class amenities including 395 luxury guest rooms, a full service luxury spa, and several excellent restaurants and bars. There are also two heated swimming pools, tennis courts; walking trails, and an Indian Market art gallery and shop.


The resort’s 61,000 square foot casino offers a modern gaming floor with 1,200 new slot machines and 22 various table games. The casino is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Pojoaque.

The Towa Golf Club is located at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, Pojoaque, NM, off Highway 84/285 just 12 miles north of
Santa Fe.

James Weaver
james35@comcast.net
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