Big things have been happening at Dos Lagos Golf Course in the upper valley. Business has increased dramatically since the closing of Santa Teresa Country Club, management has changed hands, new golf carts have been ordered.
And no one is happier than Jesus Jose Gallegos. You see, he almost single-handedly started building the upper valley course more than 50 years ago. And to have seen it grow into its present status, which includes his son Pepe as part of the new management team, well, one can imagine what a great thrill that is for him.
THE ELDER Gallegos arrived in El Paso in 1956 with 50 cents in his pocket, barely enough to buy a “tornillo” (a long loaf of Mexican bread), which helped him stay on his feet. But he was quickly contacted by some cousins living in the United States and they took him under their wing. And just as quickly they recommended him for a job to Sam Gillett, an upper valley farmer.
Gillett took him on and before long was so impressed with Gallegos’ work ethic he offered to double his salary if he would help him build a golf course. Gillett had been an avid golfer and had decided in the late 1950s to use some of his land for his favorite hobby.
NEEDLESS TO say, Gallegos jumped at the offer. Gillett hired an architect and turned the design over to Gallegos. “I planted the first tree, cleared the grounds for the fairways, planted the first greens,” Gallegos recalls. “I was practically alone out there for the first two years.”
Fifteen hour work days were the norm.
The course finally opened in 1961, and Gallegos has been there ever since, working and fixing and doing many of the chores it takes to keep a golf course going.
SAM GILLETT, who has since passed away, was so appreciative he bought Gallegos a mobile home, put it on the course and declared Gallegos would always have a job and the mobile home for as long as he lived.
He still lives there with his wife, Carmela, and he’s turned the inside and outside of the home into a bit of a showcase, obviously working on it with the same dedication he displayed on the golf course. It would be difficult to find a mobile home anymore eye-catching and immaculately kept than his.
GALLEGOS, 84, says “I’m supposed to be retired now but I can’t just sit around doing nothing.’
So you’ll find him out on the course riding around in a cart, clearing debris, raking leaves or doing other chores.
And then going home to his wife of 67 years with whom he has produced five children, 19 grand children and 20 great grand children.
PEPE GALLEGOS, who along with Mike Olson is running the course now, is proud of his dad.
Pepe and Mike took over operation of the course on a lease from owner Ron Gillett, Sam’s son, on Nov. 1. Ron had been running the course since the death of his father but decided it was time to take life a little easier. The name of Dos Lagos Course will remain the same but it will now be under the company name of Dos Golf LLC.
Dos Lagos Golf Course, so named because of two lakes on the property, has been a boon to El Paso golfers on the Westside of town. It’s moderately priced and just some 15 minutes away.
So if you happen to be playing there and see an old man riding around with a rake and shovel in the cart, wave to him to show your appreciation. He certainly deserves it.