Twin Warriors Golf Club is eighteen holes of high desert, championship golf routed in and around 20 ancient cultural sites of previous habitation and activity. The course has beautiful grassy knolls and ridges dotted with Juniper and Pinon Pine. Wonderful dry washes known as arroyos and eroded land features, along with the sacred butte known as Tuyuna or "Snakehead" complete a picture framed by spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains.
Architect: Gary Panks
Established: May 2001
Projected Rounds of Play: 35,000/year
Turf Variety: Greens - Dominant Bentgrass (SR 1019 / SR 1020 Blend), Fairways and Tees - Hybrid Bluegrass, Roughs - Bluegrass Fescue Mix.
The opening hole presents a challenge while telling the tale of the rest of the course. This medium length par five features elevated tees, providing great visibility of the generous fairway. While golfers set up for a short approach to the green, they should try to avoid three bunkers to the right of the second landing area, and one right in front of the large green.
While the second hole is long, it still presents a scoring opportunity. Play a fade off the lone fairway bunker to the landing area. If the approach is erratic, a bunker fronting the right portion of the green will provide the punishment. Be aware of crosswinds coming from the left.
This is an arduous and lengthy par four. The drive is over a native area to a somewhat narrow fairway. Two bunkers on the left and more vegetation to the right protect the fairway. The approach is played across a broad valley to an elevated green protected by several deep sand and grass bunkers on the right.
A signature par three, the fourth hole is situated behind a large lake flanked on the left by a series of ponds and waterfalls. A single bunker off to the right will corral many balls. An imaginative short game will come in handy.
A stout par four dogleg left, this hole swings down a little valley created by natural slopes to the left and manmade slopes on the right. Three large fairway bunkers border a generous landing area. The green side bunkers and grass hollows will challenge golfers missing the beautifully contoured green on the left. The green is elevated, so take plenty of club for your approach.
Accurate ball striking on this hole will set up a good chance for a birdie. Play from an elevated tee to a narrow plateau fairway. Avoid bunkers on the right which are unforgiving. From the landing area, the fairway flows downward to a neat little green complex set at the base of richly eroded knolls and cliffs.
The unforgiving bunkers from hole six still lurk to the right of this hole. Drive past the bunkers to a generous landing area. From here, golfers have a good view of an amphitheater green complex with a single bunker behind the green. The dry wash that runs along the last third of the left side of the hole will catch some balls due to the slope of the fairway.
This lengthy par five will require three shots to reach for all but the longest players. The tee shot should favor the right side to avoid the two fairway bunkers. Use the slope to gain additional distance. Only brave souls should try for this green in two. Smart players will lay up short of the bunkers for a short approach of 80 or 90 yards to the two level green. This could result in a birdie chance.
Another signature par three across a box canyon to a "REDAN" style green complex. Don't mistake the beauty of the large bunker for an easy out, as the trap will punish those who don't carry to the left half of the putting surface. A smaller bunker on the right may catch those bailing out.
The tenth may be the most intimidating hole on the golf course. The drive to a wide fairway is not a problem, but "let out some shaft" if possible. The approach is a long one over a deep wide wash to an elevated green. But don't worry, there is an ample chunk of fairway left of a bunker fronting the green. Be thrilled with par and happy with bogey.
This is a "driveable" par four, but it will take a carry of 270 yards to clear the arroyo fronting the green. Shorter hitters will play a long iron or fairway wood to the landing area for a short shot to the green below. Good distance here will produce a birdie opportunity.
A beautiful par five rising gently uphill and to the left. The fairway is flanked on its left by a sandy wash and on its right by grassy knobs and ridges. Only the long hitters will attempt to get "home" in two as the wash crosses directly in front of the green that is wide but not deep. Watch out for the pot bunker in front.
From a hilltop tee, play across a deep ravine to the green situated on a plateau on the edge of a cliff. Plenty of room on the right will help those who don't get the height to reach the green. Tricky winds can frustrate, while menacing bunkers at the cliff's edge may save players from a worse fate.
A medium length par four, the layout is very natural. From a hillside tee location, the hole plays downhill to a narrow fairway and then back up to an amphitheater green at the base of sacred Tuyuna Mountain.
On this hole, the views may distract players from their shots. The tee on this breathtaking par three is next to an 800 year-old cultural site. Listen for ancient voices. This is Mother Nature at her best. The hole was sculptured very gently into place so as not to disturb the sacred mountain.
While this par five is the longest on the course, it's all downhill and provides a good chance for birdie. The elevation change is roughly 100 feet, but, at 645 yards, it is still going to take most players three shots to reach the green. Avoid the fairway bunkers on the right as you enjoy the beautiful views of Tuyuna on your left.
The fairway on this relatively short par four has been sculpted to require an accurate tee shot to a smallish landing area. As the fairway turns to the left, notice the bunkers and native grasses that reach out to the green. Distance control and spin may be important on the approach to a challenging green. Two well-placed shots could produce another birdie try.
Soaring into the final hole on this course leaves a memorable impression. A strong drive and a quality approach will have players following their ball all the way up to the Resort. Be prepared, because the green is well bunkered and three clubs deep so select the proper tool.
