By Mark Smith
Enchantment Sports
Editor in Chief
It won’t be on its traditional weekend, but the Greater Albuquerque Men’s City Amateur Golf Championship is scheduled to be played once again.
Colby Reddoch, director of golf at Los Altos, told Enchantment Sports the tournament is slated for Aug. 21-23 on the city’s three 18-hole municipal courses.
“It’s an important event – probably the most important golf tournament in the city,” said Reddoch, who had been the tournament director the past dozen years but turned the reigns over to fellow Los Altos pro David Muttitt this year. “I’ve heard from a lot of players, and we really need to keep the tradition going.
“It would be just too tough to play it at the usual time, because of all the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and the reopenings, but I think this will give everyone enough time to plan on playing. Hopefully, we know much more by late August.
The tournament is traditionally held on the weekend closest to July 4.
But the state shutdown golf courses in March due to COVID-19, and they weren’t allowed to reopen until early May – but with strict guidelines.
“This gives us a little more time to see if things normalize,” Reddoch said. “Who knows what normal will look like? But this gives everyone a chance to reset and plan.
“We absolutely didn’t want to miss a year of holding it.”
The tournament will be held for the 79th time. Simon Miller is the defending champion.
The 54-hole event will again be held at Ladera in the opening round, followed by Arroyo del Oso for the second round and at Los Altos for the final round.
Reddoch said he plans to lower the fees because of the current rule that riders cannot share a cart unless they live in the same household. Carts are typically included in the entry fee, but probably will not be included this year.
Reddoch said entry forms will be out soon and will be available in the next two weeks. You can also call Los Altos at 505-298-1887 for further information.
Junior Golf Camps
While gatherings are limited, there are still a number of youth golf camps underway this summer.
Here is some information:
Los Altos: The course has three instructors, so it can accommodate 15 kids at a time.
Ladera link: Please see Corey Douma’s youth camps at this link: 2020 PJGA Summer Schedule
Arroyo del Oso with head pro Casey Coontz.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week from 8:45-10 a.m. and 10:30-11:45 a.m. Cost is $70 per student, but is limited to five kids per class. Call Casey at 505-710-9554.
Sierra del Rio avoids fire damage
The Mims Lake Fire did heavy damage in Elephant Butte, but Sierra del Rio Golf Course escaped.
Check out this link to the story at New Mexico Golf News.com.
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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