At The University of New Mexico, there are many assets that enhance the quality of life for the campus community, the city of Albuquerque and for New Mexicans statewide. Whether it’s the arts, sports and entertainment or recreational activities, UNM has something to offer everyone.
The UNM Golf Courses, including The Championship Golf Course and the nine-hole North Course, are two of those assets that embody ideals consistent with its long-held standards of excellence. Both golf courses are maintained at a high quality, championship level throughout every aspect of the operation. The staff at the UNM Golf Courses emphasize a commitment to service and are welcoming at every turn.
The Championship Golf Course
Since it was officially opened in 1967, The Championship Golf Course has been one of the finest facilities of its kind nationwide. It’s a golfing oasis designed in a desert-like setting that’s easily recognizable by its lush fairways, brilliant greens and pristine backdrops that line the course in every direction.
Legendary former UNM men’s golf coach and course pro Dick McGuire was instrumental in the development of the course located just south of Albuquerque.
“Building out here was my idea,” McGuire said in a recent interview. “The University had this section of land out here and was getting ready to spend $450,000 on the North Course. I said ‘wait a minute, why don’t you put your money into a new golf course out here?’ So we built the 18 and practice area where we put three holes—there probably isn’t an area like that in the country where you can play actual holes before you tee off.”
The Championship Golf Course was designed in 1966 by noted golf course architect Robert “Red” Lawrence, in collaboration with William H. Tucker, who was the superintendent and a former groundskeeper at the course. Tucker was an American professional golfer, was an early pioneer in American golf course architecture, who once placed eighth in the 1896 U.S. Open.
Like all great golf courses, The Championship Golf Course has its own personality utilizing the natural, desert-like terrain of the area incorporating original aspects of the region as part of the design including wildlife such as rabbits, roadrunners, coyotes and birds of prey that also call the course home.
“The University had this section of land out here and was getting ready to spend $450,000 on the North Course. I said ‘wait a minute, why don’t you put your money into a new golf course out here?’" – Dick McGuire
“One of the architects, William H. Tucker, was from England,” McGuire said. “He built 130 or so courses in this country. He retired and stayed on at UNM as the superintendent. I think this was one of the best that he built in the country.”
Long and tough from the tournament tees (the South Course is a par 72, 7,555-yard course), The Championship Golf Course offers six sets of tee markers to challenge and enhance the enjoyment of any golfer. The Championship Golf Course boasts fairways that stretch out long and wide on hilly terrain that undulates up and down, right and left - all factors that make it difficult to reach the rolling, well-manicured greens. Stray shots often land in the rough, loose desert sand, water or sagebrush. Many balls are simply lost.
Over the years, The Championship Golf Course has been recognized nationwide said UNM Golf Courses General Manager Adam Roybal.
“The course has been ranked as the No. 8 golf course in New Mexico,” Roybal said. “We are currently ranked in the top-25 in collegiate courses in America. We have been ranked nationally by Golf Digest as the No. 2 golf course in Albuquerque so we do tout that we do have many publications that have recognized the golf course for its stature.”
More recently in 2015, Golf Week released a list of Best Courses You Can Play State-by-State and ranked it as the No. 7 course in the state and the No. 1 course to play in Albuquerque. In 2014, Golf.com named The Championship Course the fifth-best course to play in the state, and No. 21 by Golf Week Best Golf Course, Campus Courses, both in 2014.
One of the missions of UNM Golf Courses is to support the UNM men’s and women’s golf teams. The Championship Golf Course has hosted numerous national and collegiate tournaments. It was the site of the 1950, 1976, 1992 and 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, and in 1987 and 2008, the course was the sight of the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships.
The Championship Golf Course has been home to the William H. Tucker Invitational for the past 61 years (second-longest running college tournament), an intercollegiate men’s tournament hosted annually in the fall by UNM. Since 1979, The Championship Golf Course has also been home to the prestigious Dick McGuire Intercollegiate, a major tournament in women's intercollegiate golf named after McGuire.
Not surprisingly, many of golf’s biggest names have played the course including “The Golden Bear,” Jack Nicklaus. “We’ve hosted several national tournaments here. Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have both played here,” McGuire said. “A lot of the great names have played on this course. Even Jack Nicklaus has played on this course.”
“Our goal is to support intercollegiate golf programs consistent with the standards of the University and to support and enhance the variety of recreational opportunities offered to UNM Students/Faculty/Staff, Alumni, University guests and public consumers,” Roybal said.
Not only is it a great golf course, The UNM Championship Golf Course is a superb venue for a wide range of events offering meeting rooms, team building initiatives, receptions, wellness and fun.
The paradise-like climate of Albuquerque makes The Championship Golf Course at The University of New Mexico a perfect oasis for golf, be it January or June.
The UNM Championship Golf Course offers a $25 weekday green fee rate (Monday through Thursday) of $25. The rate is also good after 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday and holidays. The UNM North Course offers a $13 weekday green fee rate (Monday through Friday). This rate is also valid Saturday, Sunday and holidays after 12 p.m. Cart and range balls at both golf courses are extra.
New Mexico Residents
New Mexico residents can play on weekends and holidays for the special walking rate of $51 or $66 with a cart.
Unlimited Public Passes
The UNM Championship Golf Course offers quarterly and yearly passes. Quarterly passes (valid 90 days from purchase; unlimited green fees) are available for $450 plus tax. All Access passes are available for $1,800-$2,200 plus tax. The passes may be purchased in the golf shop at The Championship Course. The North Course also offers quarterly and yearly passes. Quarterly passes are available for $350 plus tax, while yearly passes are available for $1,000, both walking rates.
eClub Golf Promotions
Interested patrons may also join the eClub, which offers regular specials and golf promotions to registered members. Members also receive a free green fee on their birthday.
For more information contact the UNM Golf Course (505) 277-4653 or visit UNM golf.
The North Course
The Championship Golf Course isn’t the only golfing gem located on the UNM campus. Nestled in at UNM’s north campus, The UNM North Course has been coined by customers as, "Albuquerque's hidden gem," named so for being tucked away on the north side of campus as an awesome golf course.
The North Course also has its own place in golf history. Originally built in 1942 as an 18-hole course, the UNM North Course was the first course in America to break the 7,000-yard barrier. Today, the present 9-hole course measures 3,333 yards. The beauty and difficulty of the old has been maintained and is now enhanced by the maturity of the many trees lining the narrow fairways.
“The North Golf Course, unlike The Championship Course which is wide-open with big greens, is very tree-lined, very small greens, not a lot of length to it, but is challenging if you do not hit the greens or stay inside those tree-lined areas,” Roybal said.
Measuring 7,300 yards from the Championship tees, The North Golf Course played host to the first professional tournament in Albuquerque in 1947 won by Lloyd Mangrum. Several years later, it played host to the NCAA Championships (in 1950) won by Fred Wampler.
Golfing greats who have made their way around the links at the UNM North Course include Al Geiberger, Arnold Palmer, JoAnn Carner, Johnny Miller, Fred Wampler, Kermit Zarley and Babe Didrickson Zaharias.
Also known as Albuquerque's 'central park' for the walking/jogging path that surrounds the course, and the preserved 'green space' with fully matured trees makes the North Golf Course a popular spot for a jog, walk or nine holes of golf.