Sandia Golf Club delivers award-winning golf in the Foothills of the Sandia Mountains

Albuquerque’s premier resort is loaded with luxurious amenities and casino action

No. 18 – 505-yard par 4
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It was once said and often repeated that, “you can’t please everyone”. Well, the Pueblo of Sandia is certainly giving it a go. With world-class golf, Vegas-style gaming, comfortable resort accommodations, delicious dining options, live entertainment, and a brand-new event center, there’s something for just about everyone.

Of these amenities, golf is one of the most appealing. The club’s location in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains offers one of the most dramatic backdrops in the game. The result is a picturesque golf course recognized by industry-leading publications such as Golf Inc. magazine, which named Sandia Golf Club the “Best New Development of 2005.” Golf Magazine recognized Sandia Golf Club as one of the “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play,” and Golfweek lists it among the top 50 casino courses in the nation. 

In the cool, crisp climes of the rugged high desert at 5,300 feet above sea level, the thin air helps facilitate titanic blasts, but even the longest hitters will find plenty of room to stretch their legs on the 7,755-yard layout – the longest in New Mexico.

Sandia can be brutally long, but it’s not brutally tough, even with two par 5s weighing in at 655-plus yards. The somewhat tame first three holes give way to the watery 515-yard, par-4 No. 4. The split fairway at the 403-yard, par-4 6th hole, the incredible mountain views from the par-four 10th, and the perfectly placed arroyo at the downhill par-five 11th present a test that is equal parts strategic intrigue and aesthetic charm. The friendly green surrounds make par-saving recoveries highly probable. This variety makes Sandia Golf Club a very attractive choice for golf groups with different abilities. Speaking of groups, The Pueblo of Sandia launched a new Event Center last year to host large golf groups as well as other special events.  

“The new Event Center at Sandia Golf Club has certainly turned a few heads,” said Matt Molloy, General Manager of Sandia Golf Club. “The additional space, exceptional quality and location overlooking the golf course and Sandia Mountains has been very well received by the many groups we have hosted since opening in April of 2015.”

With a 5,300 square ft. ballroom and an 1,800 square ft. covered patio with a glass wall that slides open, the Event Center is truly an indoor/outdoor entertaining venue. Inside it features high-end finishes and many unique details such as a state-of-the-art audio/visual system and a large bridal suite. The facility can be configured for groups ranging from 20 – 400, and it has a production kitchen exclusively dedicated to the venue.

The new Event Center will certainly come in handy in September when Sandia will host the New Mexico Open as the primary sponsor for the next three years at Sandia Golf Club (2016-2018).

“We’re very pleased to become the host site and sponsor for this storied state open golf tournament,” said Molloy. “The event has been attracting top competitors, both professional and amateur, since the 50s, and Sandia Golf Club is honored and excited to continue the rich tradition of providing a first class event. It’s also very gratifying to help with the charitable aspect of the tournament.”

The New Mexico Open is a 54-hole, stroke-play professional tournament that features a field of 156 players with a cut after 36 holes. The 2016 event will be played September 13-15 with an estimated purse of $95,000 up for grabs and a first-place check of $14,000 (based on full field). Although the competitors will be forced on playing well, it’s like they’ll take time to enjoy the resort and all it has to offer.

The Sandia Resort & Casino takes full advantage of the same breathtaking mountain views found on the golf course. The contemporary accommodations are built for comfort, and the action of the casino offers everything from slots and table games.

All the gaming and golf is sure to work up an appetite. Bien Shur, Albuquerque’s premier dining experience, offers casual elegance with breathtaking mountain views from the top floor of the resort. The Council Room Restaurant and Bar is ready to satisfy any craving, morning, noon and night. Just a few steps from the casino floor, Ba Shie Bar serves up cold drinks and casual fare with the game du jour playing in the background.

Sandia Golf Club has the feel of a big place with big fairways, big views and wide-open spaces that stretch to the horizon. It’s a place where golfers are encouraged to relax and swing big as they look forward to an action-packed evening after the last putt drops. To learn more, visit www.SandiaGolf.com.