Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico - A Unique, High-Desert Golf Experience

Twin Warriors Golf Club features 18 holes of championship golf, set amid 20 ancient cultural sites of Native American habitation and activity. The site of the club is where the people of Santa Ana believe the Twin Warriors once showed them the path to the Upper World along the banks of the Rio Grande River.

The course, which opened in 2001, is situated more than 5,000 feet above sea level, but is still said to play long and tough. The layout weaves through and around native cultural sites near the Sandia Mountains, and features wide fairways framed by arroyos (dry gullies, or "washes''), features of eroded land, as well as the sacred butte, Tuyunna (aka, "Snakehead''), to provide a unique, high-desert golfing experience.

The 18-hole, par-72 course, which was designed by Gary Panks, plays to a massive 7,736 yards from the Tour/Copper Tees, but a much more manageable 6,914 yards from the Back (White) Tees, with a USGA rating of 71.5 and a slope rating of 131 on Hybrid Bluegrass fairways, Bluegrass and Fescue roughs, and Bentgrass greens. The course also features some picturesque, grassy knolls and ridges that are speckled with Juniper and Pinon pine trees.

Some of the more noteworthy holes on the course include No. 3, which is an arduous par-4 that plays to 440 yards from the Back (White) tees. From the tee, golfers must hit over a native area to a somewhat narrow fairway landing area guarded by bunkers on the left and vegetation on the right. Approach shots then play through a broad valley to an elevated green that's protected by both deep sand bunkers and grass bunkers on the right.

Hole No. 4 is the signature hole for the course. This par-3 plays to 178 yards from the Back tees, and is situated behind a large lake that's flanked on the left by ponds and waterfalls. There's also a lone bunker on the right that tends to capture many tee shots playing away from the water hazards.

Hole No. 10 is considered by many to be the most intimidating hole on the course. This par-4 plays to a lengthy 447 yards from the Back tees and plays over two native areas, first to the landing area off the tee and then to an elevated green. On this hole, most golfers are said to be "thrilled with a par and happy with a bogey.''

Hole No. 13 is a par-3 that plays to 153 yards from the forward men's tees. The tee box is set on a hilltop, and the shot plays over a deep ravine to a green set upon a plateau at the edge of a cliff. Adding to the difficulty are the intimidating bunkers at the edge of the cliff and the mountain winds that are said to be tricky.

Twin Warriors has received a good deal of acclaim since its opening, including receiving a 41/2-Star rating from Golf Digest and a Silver Award from GOLF Magazine in 2008-2009. The course has also played host to a number of tournaments, including the U.S. Open Qualifier from 2001-2007, and the 2003 and 2009 PGA Professional National Championship.

Practice facilities at Twin Warriors include a driving range, two short-game practice areas and a practice putting green. Instruction is also available, including a Golf School.

Twin Warriors Golf Club is located at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, which provides a number of dining options as well as other resort activities.