New Mexico’s group-friendly locales offer attractive golf courses where attendees can participate in team-building and networking events after the meeting.
Following are several standby options.
Prior to breaking ground back in 2001, the land that is now the 400-acre Twin Warriors Golf Club at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa (505.867.1234; www.tamaya.hyatt.com) was surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. According to Roger Martinez, PGA director of golf at the resort, about 20 sites of previous habitation or activity were found.
“Two of them were so large, we had to designate them as archeological easements and design the course around them,” he explains, adding that since then more treasures on the course’s land have been discovered. “We found an old cave dwelling that they missed to the left of hole No. 16, in which we found pottery shards, animal bones and a charred-out ceiling from smoke damage.”
There is also the old Chile Pepper Trail that runs right through the middle of the course, he says, which once operated as the first railway through the state.
Situated in Santa Ana Pueblo between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Tamaya is a popular retreat for a variety of group gatherings, including customized golf outings.
Martinez says company logos are built out of golf balls on the side of hole No. 1 for corporate events, and night-putting tournaments with glow sticks and balls are popular, as are Big Break events similar to those seen on the Golf Channel, complete with challenge courses and activities for players.
Head Golf Pro Ross Nettles at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (505.955.4400; www.linksdesantafe.com) says the course maximizes the panoramic views of Santa Fe’s surrounding mountains, including the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Ortiz and Sandia ranges.
“This championship course has five sets of tees that make the course challenging yet playable for all skill levels, perfect for beginners, but also a test from the back tees for experts,” he says. “The Links truly is a course for all seasons.”
The course staff will create custom packages catering to the needs of any size group tournament, and as a special group service, Nettles says, a golf pro will provide an exclusive 10-minute instruction session before play.
Other group amenities and services include gourmet box lunches, award ceremonies, receptions and complimentary gifts from the pro shop.
Near Taos is Angel Fire Resort (575.377.6401; www.angelfireresort.com), which often hosts meetings and also facilitates group golf events, including tournament support services, prize games and team setup on one of the country’s highest golf courses.
“An elevation of 8,500 feet has its advantages,” says Rich Smith, PGA, head golf professional. “With cooler temperatures the ball flies farther.”
It’s worth noting, Smith adds, that the resort has a new $16 million clubhouse featuring dining, meeting space and a fitness center.
“Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relaxing in the fresh mountain air—what better way to clear your mind and get new ideas,” he says.
