Championship Golf Course At University of New Mexico

I've been playing this course for over 30 years and I am a little disappointed with the lack of marshaling going on on the course. They have been letting 5 players go quite frequently and this is slowing the pace of play. I was stuck behind a fivesome and was never offered a chance to play through. There seems to be a lack of golf etiquette amongst the players that you don't see elsewhere. My major complaint is the pace of play. Something needs to change..

UNM's Championship Course is one of college golf's premier tournament venues. I found out the hard way, playing between two tournaments this fall when the rough was as thick as it gets. It was brutal.
But I was in awe of the golf course. It's set on a ridge overlooking downtown adjacent to the airport. I played it on my departure day, timing things perfectly to make my flight.
The course is a classic hilly adventure with so much character. Two interesting dogleg par 5s bracket the front 9 (No. 1 is much easier than the blind 9th). The back 9 is where the best holes reside - the uphill-then-downhill 10th and a dramatic short par 4 around a pond at no. 15. I'd love to come back and walk it to get a workout and try to avenge my handicap.

The Championship course is just that, a championship course. Long, and surprisingly undulating for such a “flat” area. Right by the airport, everything mostly breaks toward off the high perched views. Great condition currently. Greens were EXCELLENT. Fast, held incoming balls, as good as it gets. The rough was absolutely penal, very long and even difficult to find the ball in at times. Definitely “championship” style rough. Great course, deserves all the accolades for being a great NCAA course. Go play.

This track is a local favorite, as it is very cost efficient, and always in great condition. This course is obviously used for collegiate tournaments and as a local qualifier for the 2019 US Open. There are some that choose to walk, but it is a fairly hilly track. The greens are typically running between 12-14 on the stimpmeter...FAST, and you'll very rarely find yourself with a straight putt. The only thing I don't like are the bunkers on this course, but how many of us like bunkers on any course? The bunkers are typically harder, with small pebbles...not plush like you'll find on most courses. However, while there are some casino & resort courses in the area, I would highly recommend this course first.

Played the course the day after it held a US Open qualifier. The greens were fast and the rough was thick! The course is in great shape! Lots of changes in elevation, huge greens. The pro shop staff and starter were friendly and helpful in recommending other courses in the area. Will definitely play here again the next time we're in town.

The UNM Championship GC has been challenging area golfers since the mid 1960's. I've played it dozens of times as it was my home course the two years I lived in Albuquerque.

Wanting to get in an early round I arrived at the course before the gates opened. The pro shop staff got me sorted out in short order and I was the first one teeing off from the whites at 08:30 sharp.

There are plenty of elevation changes that provide great views as well as letting you see where you need to put your shots and all the areas you need to avoid. The routing of holes is exceptional, the holes flow well, it's one good hole after another. The fairways were running firm and fast, the greens are a nice size and will require accurate approach shots. Take your time reading theses greens as there are few straight putts. Bunkering is exceptional, both on the fariways and greenside. Bottom line is there really are no weak holes on this course.

If you're able to find good lines off the tee, can work the ball both left and right and can read the subtle breaks on the greens there are birdies to be had. I was pleased with the game I brought to the course.

You will not go wrong playing here as the UNM Championship GC is as strong a test today as it was 20 odd years ago when I first played it.

UNM South Championship Course is my home course.
The course, and its extensive practice range, putting green, executive course, and Staff all rate as exceptional experiences.
From the Green Chile Hamburger to the Check-in, Starting and Course Assistant, the place is augmented by the fine people who work and play there.
They advertise an $1,800 Annual Pass.
I cannot help but remember seeing a 20 something Phil Mickelson hit 7 iron into the daunting closing 18th during the NCAA Championships.
The course is not for the faint of heart, and devilish pin placements make for a challenging afternoon, of near misses, penalty shots for lost tee shots and smooth putting surfaces.

Featured several times in the NCAA regionals...the University Championship course is a diehard golfers paradise. The greens are in perfect condition. The rest of course is always well maintained. The staff is friendly, helpful, and remembers your name when you play there regularly. Place of play is excellent...they will come out and give a slow group a little push, when needed.

The layout is A+. A classic design...you will use every club in your bag. (always a strong indicator of good layout.) No two holes are alike! Lots of change of elevation, direction, and sight lines. LOVE IT!

Play where Tiger and Phil cut their teeth as college players!

This was the first time playing this course. When I drove by, got the average muni vibe, so was a little reluctant to play. But the other courses in the area were booked with tournaments, so really had no other choice but to play here. Glad I did. Was a great value. Doesn't have the glamor that the other resort courses in the area have, but the track itself competes with all of them. Course was in great shape and pretty challenging. Rough was long, due to the college tournaments they were hosting. Overall think this is one of the best values in the area and would definitely play again.

Played here in Aug 2016. Conditions were great. Greens were well manicured, and fast. Tee boxes in excellent shape, and fairways good too. Bunkers however, do not have the soft, white sand you'd come to expect. They are very hard to hit out of. Rough is very thick, but grass (not weeds). Course plays long. A few blind shots. The grill is nice and convenient. Pro shop staff were nice too. Recommend, esp during the week. Also a great driving range and practice facility too.

Played here on a Sunday with a deal of $37 with a cart. The facility is 5 minutes from the airport, so it is easy to have it be the first round or one that is done the day you leave. I wouldn't recommend travelling to Albuquerque or Santa Fe to play here, but if you are in town, it is quite convenient and worth the time.
The facility has a putting green and driving range so it is a place that you can warm up. There is also a restaurant on the other side of the pro-shop; get something with Green Chile-you are in New Mexico.

As for the course itself, there are a lot of greens on top of hills; some of which are fronted by bunkers. Best have your aerial game on here. Many holes drive down from the tee box and then approach up to the green. Fairways are not very wide, but are wide enough if you are on. If not, then you will need some powers of recovery as rough is rough and some holes have water or scrub.Greens have some back to front slope in them so staying below the hole is important. The larger greens have sections divided by ridges, so being on the correct side of them is important.They also ran pretty fast, but true. The conditioning of the course was very good period; never the less for late fall. It is a championship course for a reason and I think that a scratch golfer will enjoy this place a lot. Nothing spectacular hole-wise, but no weak or bad holes either. As for nature, I saw a couple of coyotes and road runners. The course is in its own area and no houses around. Just a good solid course.

Overall, although there are better courses in New Mexico; If in town on business and you are bringing your sticks, the convenient location makes this one to do on the way in or out of the airport. If you are in town for multiple days, play Paa-Ko Ridge and then this is good place to fill in a trip.