A Virtual Tour of the Arroyo del Oso Golf Course, Albuquerque, NM

Arroyo del Oso Golf Course straddles the Arroyo del Oso (Spanish for Creek or Stream of the Bear), giving it its name.

This 27-hole Northeast Albuquerque course is noted for its interesting topography featuring large greens, rolling fairways, numerous ponderosa pine trees, water-hole obstacles, and sand traps. The course provides a good challenge and will generally require you to use every club in your bag. The Course is gently rolling as it follows the natural flow of Arroyo del Oso, as it descends toward the Rio Grande. Arroyo del Oso was once a solid tract of green but recent water-conservation efforts led crews to leave some area unirrigated. Mature trees and hardpan between holes make for some interesting recovery shots.

The Arroyo del Oso Championship Course with 18 holes was opened in 1965. The Championship Course is a 6,545-yard Par 72 for men or 6,936 yards from the longest tees and 6,015 yards Par 73 for women. The course rating is 72.3 and it has a slope rating of 125 There are two long Par 3's on the Championship Course that measure over 190 yards from the back tees. The back nine is more hilly than the front nine.

There are only a couple of holes where the water hazards come into play. The Dam Nine, named for the flood control dam behind which it was built in 1987 gave Arroyo del Oso Golf Course a total of 27 holes. It plays to a Par 36 at 3,300 yards, crossing the arroyo three times.

The Dam Nine Course is a little difficult because of its water hazards, hilly fairways, and undulating greens.

In 1981, Golf Digest Magazine rated Arroyo del Oso among the top 50 Municipal Golf Courses in the nation and in 1983 as one of the top 75 public courses in the country.

There is a well-stocked Pro Shop along with a Restaurant with Dining Room seating as well as outdoor, covered tables.

There is a small Banquet Room that can be used for luncheons, meetings and other small gatherings.

The Driving Range and Practice Putting Green are just west of the Dam

Championship 18 Designer: Arthur Jack Snyder, Dam Nine Designer: Richard M Phelps

Tees Box Grass Type: Rye and Blue Grass
Fairways Grass Type: Blue Grass
Greens Grass Type: Blue Grass

Directions:
From the "Big I", where Interstate 40 and Interstate 25 cross, go east 3 miles to Louisiana Blvd, Exit 162. At the top of the off ramp turn left onto Louisiana Blvd. Go north on Louisiana Blvd 2.8 miles until it T-bones into Osuna Rd at the entrance to Arroyo del Oso Golf Course.

Address:
7001 Osuna Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-2955
Phone: (505) 884-7505
Fax: (505) 884-3532

For more information and greens fees go to www.cabq.gov/golf/arroyo.html

For more information go to their website www.InnatParadise.com