FEATURED PHOTO: The patio at Ladera Golf Course is a great place to watch the sunset while having a bite and a brew, especially on Thursday nights. It’s popular Thirsty Thursday promotion begins this week.
By Mark Smith
Enchantment Sports
Editor in Chief
There are a number of fabulous 19th holes at golf courses around the state, but one of the very best is at Ladera on Albuquerque’s Westside.
Especially on Thursday evenings.
While state courses were allowed to reopen at the beginning of May, you couldn’t hang around for a post-round burger and beer until this week.
There are still restrictions, but snack bars and restaurants are now open. And with that, Ladera’s Thirsty Thursday promo begins again today (June 4).
“We have to cut the food menu back for now; burgers and sandwiches and a few other things,” said Bill Harvey, director of golf at Ladera. “And we have all types of alcoholic beverages. It’s great to get it going again. It’s been one of the most popular night-life events on the Westside.
“It’s a great place to relax, have a drink, listen to the music and enjoy the sunset.”
The festivities run from 6 to 10 p.m., each Thursday. There are food and drink specials and live music on the patio.
Because of COVID-19, these are the temporary restrictions:
- All customers and employees must wear masks.
- No more than six customers are allowed at the same table.
- Tables will be spaced out.
- No standing and drinking beverages.
- Social distancing must be obeyed when ordering from the bar of cafe.
“We get so much great feedback about our Thursdays,” Harvey said. “It’s always been a very positive setting; looking out at the West Mesa, the course, the lake, the petroglyphs.
“It’s a great atmosphere, and we get a lot of people out here from the neighborhood who aren’t even golfers.”
COURSE REOPENINGS
Nearly all New Mexico golf courses have reopened, and are packing in the players.
Twin Warriors Golf Club and Isleta Golf Course both opened on Saturday (May 30).
And as with all courses in the state, you’ll need to call in for a tee time. Don’t just try to show up and play, or you probably won’t get on the course.
Masks are required in the pro shops and during any interaction with employees at all New Mexico courses.
The driving range at Twin Warriors — as well as the range at Santa Ana Golf Club, which previously reopened — remains closed.
The driving range at Isleta will open on Saturday with limited spaces.
Only one rider is allowed in golf carts at both Twin Warriors and Santa Ana, regardless of living in the same household.
Cochiti Golf Club has yet to reopen. Please visit the Cochiti website for updates.
LOS ALTOS LOOKING GOOD
Last week, I played Los Altos for the first time this year.
And for the first time without a Moya as the director of golf.
The course opened in 1960 under the direction of Billy Moya, and later under Billy and his brother, Eddie Moya.
For the past couple of decades, Eddie’s son, Chris Moya, was the main man.
But the Moya family is out of the business. Fortunately, Los Altos hasn’t missed a beat. Colby Reddoch, the longtime head pro under Chris Moya, was named director of golf at the course earlier this year.
Reddoch is also the tournament director of the Greater Albuquerque Men’s City Amateur Golf Championship, and is a rising star in the PGA.
All of us who grew up in around Albuquerque golf, knew the Magnificent Moyas.
Here’s a link to Dan Vukelich’s story on the family on New Mexico Golf News.
Mark Smith has worked in New Mexico sports media for more than four 
decades, and is one of the most decorated sports journalists in state history. Smith has won more than 30 combined awards in print, television and radio and has been honored nationally for investigative reporting. He is the editor in chief of Enchantment Sports. Contact him at mark.enchantmentsportsNM@gmail.com.
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