Oasis on the High Desert Plain

TAOS COUNTRY CLUB

      

Driving North from Espanola, you enter into the abyss of a gorge that was and is being created by the Rio Grande River. As you wind along the river amongst the steep protrusion of rock formations, you can’t help to wonder if a land slide will occur.  You finally come to a point where you feel that you are climbing in elevation. Through the twists and turns you come out to a breathtaking view of hundreds of square miles and an almost mesmerizing view of the Rio Grande Gorge. Heading through what the locals refer to as the horse shoe, you loop around to another spectacular view of the Rio Grande Gorge and the Taos Mountains. As you head north toward Taos, You can’t help but notice the Green Oasis that just lie of to the left. With the surrounding landscape parched and dry, you focus on it as if it is telling you to come this way. It almost has the feel as the movie, Field of Dreams. “If you built it they will come”. (Robertson)

Your curiosity makes you turn left to go see what is down the road.

The road takes you and a winding path amongst the sage and the vast arroyos that just appear from nowhere. Up and over one hill, then another, until you finally get a glimpse of a yellow flag off to your right. It is then that you realize that it is a golf course.

As you pass the seventh green, you arrive at the entrance of the Taos Country Club. A wonderful assortment of purple, red, and yellow flowers bathe the entrance to the gated community. Your senses become overwhelmed by the spectacular views. The Taos Mountains create a crescent around Taos, The spectacular Adobe inspired homes with their impeccable landscaping, line the drive to the club house, and I can’t forget to mention the vast dessert plain that allows you to see for miles.

When you arrive at the club house, you think you have seen it all until you walk through the front Entrance. Soft earth tone colors cover the twenty feet high walls that support massive Vegas that were harvested from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The entire northern elevation is lined with glass windows. It is not until you walk into the pro shop that you can capture a full appreciation for the views that TCC has to offer.

Built in 1992, Taos County Club is an 18 hole lynx style course that is owned and operated by PGA professional Tad Bourg. On this day, I was given a tour and was able to play a round with Carville Bourg, an assistant pro and son of Tad Bourg. (Bourg)

He explained that this course has been a family affair ever since he can remember. The course was a lifelong dream of his father, one that almost never came true, due to the large quantity of water that is needed to maintain a course of this caliber. Working with local authorities, a plan was devised to utilize reclaimed water from the local treatment facility, resulting in an endless supply of recycled water.

Designed by family friend Jep Willie, each hole is laid out to give a completely different view of the Taos area. Plush bent grass greens, allow even the novice golfer to stick the ball and even give some back spin. Kentucky blue grass line the fairways and the rough consists of a fescue grass. (Bourg) 

While walking in the fairway, I was tempted to take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the soft grass. It reminded me of the green meadows of grass back in New York

There are no trees on this course which may make it seem easier, but the sage has its own set of challenges. If you do hit into the sage, you may find your ball and you may even have a shot, but as the signs warn, Beware of Rattlesnakes. Local rules allow you to place the ball where it crosses into the sage and you need to add one stroke.

Playing from the blue tees, I found my ball travel to be considerably farther than normal. At almost 7500 feet in elevation, the air is lighter and your ball flies a lot farther. It was an emotional boost for my golf ego. You can expect to use at least one club less while playing here. Taos has tee locations for the novice to scratch golfers.

Green fee's will cost you ($82) Monday - Thursday and ($92) Friday - Sunday. These prices include a cart. Walkers can deduct ($17) for the cart.

For a club of this caliber, I was surprised by the quality of the golf cart. Loud, sputtering, carbon producing carts are not what I would have expected. Generally, higher end courses utilize electric carts. Carville explained that they were in the process of transitioning to electric and that the change out should be completed by 2017.

Making the turn, you are greeted by the friendly staff of The Terrace. A full service restaurant and bar with impeccable views overlooking the eighteenth hole. Managed by Jacob Herrera, The Terrace is open seven days a week with various menus throughout the day.They also cater to charity events, graduation and family parties, along with being the prime scenic location for weddings.(Herrera)

Per the suggestion of the server, I tried the Chipotle ABLT along with an order of rings and a cold pale ale. Not necessarily the healthiest food, but it was delicious. The thick bacon slices, covered with a perfect layer of avocado, crispy lettuce, and a huge cherry tomatoes speared through the heart of the sandwich. Accompanying that was an order of onion rings prepared exactly to my specifications and a perfect pour of beer. ($14.50)

A future delight that will be waiting to be served on my plate is the Italian Grilled Cheese. Two types of cheese on homemade bread, served with a basil pesto and a tomato relish. ($8.50)

This masterpiece of unimaginable flavor had me wondering why I had never ordered a grilled cheese before. One bite was all I needed. I will be ordering this delight the next time.

After completing the round, I returned to The Terrace to indulge in another Pale Ale. Unfortunately the tap system was down and they provided me a beer from a bottle. Not the worst thing to happen, but a local member said that it was a common occurrence but that they always make it up to you. (O'roarke)

If you love to play golf or would like to experience the wonderful views and food from the Terrace, then I would make a visit to Taos Country Club.

I'll see you there!

Taos Country club

54 Golf Course Road

Ranchos de Taos

575-758-7300

www.Taoscountryclub.com

Works Cited

Bourg, Carville. Oasis on the Desert John Romansky. 26 June 2015. Document.

Field of Dreams. Dir. Phil Alden Robertson. Perf. Kevin Costner. 1989. Film.

Herrera, Jacob. The Terrace John Romansky. 24 June 2015. Document.

O'roarke, Aden. How do you like TCC John Romansky. June 2015.