On a visit to see friends in Durango, Colorado, we flew into Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 220 miles to the south. We knew there were relatively few memorable golf options around Durango, but some of the best golf courses in New Mexico are clustered around Albuquerque and Santa Fe, within about 90 miles of each other.
One course stood out: Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club. About 30 minutes northeast of Albuquerque and sitting at roughly 6,500 feet in the Sandia Mountains, PaaKo Ridge has been ranked the No. 1 golf course in New Mexico. The setting alone makes it worth the trip. Northern New Mexico is quite different from the desert Southwest many of us picture. The elevation moderates the summer climate, with temperatures often in the upper 80s and low 90s—considerably cooler than lower-elevation desert destinations such as Phoenix. The combination of mountain air, rugged scenery and relatively comfortable summer temperatures makes this an appealing place for a golf trip. Paa-Ko Ridge fits the landscape perfectly. Architect Ken Dye—no relation to the more famous Pete Dye—worked hard to preserve the natural terrain rather than overpower
it. The course moves through dramatic elevation changes, rock outcroppings, native grasses and rugged vegetation. Piñon,
cottonwood and juniper trees frame many of the holes.
One of the things I noticed immediately was what I didn’t see: houses. The golf course covers a huge amount of land, with relatively few holes running alongside one another. Instead of rooftops, you get views of five different mountain ranges. The conditioning is excellent, although “manicured” isn’t quite the word I would use. That’s a compliment. The bentgrass greens and Kentucky bluegrass fairways are first-rate playing surfaces, but the edges are intentionally maintained to retain a natural look. The course feels cared for without looking overly groomed or artificial.
Miss those fairways, however, and things can get interesting. The rough can be thick, and beyond it are rocks, cactus and other native vegetation that have a way of swallowing golf balls. After investigating a couple of those areas, you quickly learn that sometimes the smartest play is to leave the ball where it is and return to safety. Paa-Ko Ridge consists of three nine-hole layouts, each winding through the mountainous terrain. The name itself has a connection to the area’s history. Paa-Ko means “root of the cottonwood tree” and comes from the nearby ruins of a Tano pueblo, an important archaeological site excavated during the 1930s. The golf is every bit as interesting as the surroundings. There are intimidating forced carries that require you to commit to the tee shot. Fairways frequently sit on plateaus or slope toward thick grass-covered depressions. A fairway may look generous from the tee, but miss the correct portion and gravity can take over. The effective landing area is often considerably narrower than it first appears. Water comes into play on only a few holes, making it particularly dramatic when it does. The 16th is a beautiful short par-3 p
layed across a rock-walled water hazard to a large, well-bunkered green, with dense junipers creating the backdrop.
What makes Paa-Ko Ridge special isn’t one signature hole. It’s the way every hole seems to belong to the land around it. The rugged terrain provides constantly changing looks, elevations and challenges without feeling manufactured. Add excellent conditioning, almost no development, views of five mountain ranges and surprisingly reasonable green fees, and Paa-Ko Ridge is a course I’d gladly play again. For a passionate golfer traveling through the Southwest, this one is worth going out of your way to find.
By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012