Getting To Know: Taos Country Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Tad Bourg who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Our course is a traditional links style championship course that is very well maintained. We have multiple tee boxes to accommodate all levels of play. We also have a full service restaurant and bar, called the Terrace at Taos Country Club which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the season. It is also a wonderful facility for special events. We also have a 63 lot subdivision surrounding the course. The lots are 3 acre minimum so they are spaced out comfortably, and not too close to the course, which is a treat for the golfers as well as homeowners.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Our course has been rated in the top 100 courses that the public can play so it is top quality and a great value. It is also a very nice course to walk which adds to the enjoyment for those who enjoy walking. The course is fun to play with wide fairways, multiple tee boxes; walking or riding. The course is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Rockies to the west which makes for spectacular views and adds to an enjoyable experience.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
The fairways are wide open but typically more room to the left. Don't let the sagebrush intimidate you as there is lots of grass to land your shot and the sagebrush makes for a wonderful visual experience on our links style course. Some say the putts break toward Taos Mountain.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Being rated the sixth best course in New Mexico by Golfweek magazine makes us all very proud, as New Mexico has wonderful facilities throughout the state.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole number 8 is considered by most to be our signature hole. It is a par 5 with many possibilities for playing it. It is a spectacular risk reward hole with the chance for some to reach it in two. It is downhill so it allows players of all abilities a chance to get close to the green and make a possible birdie. There is sagebrush lurking around so there is plenty of risk and with elevated tee boxes the views are quite enjoyable.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
If I need to choose just one hole it would be number 17. It is a short par four with bunkers left and right so it makes for a challenging tee shot, and I like holes that are a bit shorter with lots of character. The approach shot is an uphill shot to a well bunkered green, which slopes from back to front with Taos Mountain in the background. It is not a long hole so choose the club that will leave you 140 yds. as that is where the fairway is the widest and not much trouble. On your approach shot try to keep it below the hole.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
A green chili cheeseburger and beer are hard to beat at the Terrace, but lots to choose from, and the views amazing.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
David Braxton Black Tees 7302yds. 64, Blue 6817yds. 63, White 6123yds. 63. David was the assistant PGA pro at the time and obviously very talented. There were lots of putts made and the game looked easy. The course record for ladies from the green tee is Alyssa Otero 68. The record for juniors from the green tees is 67 by Josh Fambro.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7302
Slope: 125
Rating: 73.1

More Information
Taos Country Club
54 Golf Course Drive
Ranchos de Taos, N.M., 878557
575-758-7300
taoscountryclub.com