12 Shores at Ute Lake

12 Shores at Ute Lake is a relatively new Jack Nicklaus design on the south shore of Ute Lake, between Logan and Tucumcari, New Mexico, on the east side of the state, exit 355 of I-40 if you're coming from Texas, or 329 at Tucumari, if you're coming from the west. We played the course last week after hearing about their free golf promotion for the month of September, and must say it was worth the long drive out. The course is part of a real estate development that's just taking off, and the course was routed through the future development, and along the lake in a beautiful setting. There's just 9 holes at the moment, and they have two sets of tees to give you a different look, yardages are from 3,600 from the red tees to almost 3,900 from the tips, we played from the blues at 3,425 yards. The layout is mostly level, a few holes were right along the lake bordering wetlands. It's classic Nicklaus with a lot of bunkering, and strategic play. The course was in good shape for being as new as it is, but they don't have much in the way of a clubhouse or facilities, just operating out of a trailer at the moment. The plan is add another 9 holes as the development picks up, and turn the course private, but that might be a while. The fairways are bordered by tall native grasses, and well off by the desert scrub. They're mounded and undulating throughout, and the greens are on the large side with plenty of undulation. It was a challenging layout, and requires you to think your way around the course. If you're passing through it's not far off I-40, and a good way to get in a quick nine. We drove over from Amarillo, almost two hour drive, and will be back when they build out the second nine holes, or offer the free golf promotion again.

Published by: EvanH