The Outlaw is back at Ruidoso, and going great guns. The Outlaw Golf Course, 
that is. Golf enthusiasts may remember that The Outlaw Golf Course opened in 2008 as part of the Alto Golf Estates development, which also includes Alto Golf Course.
Alas. Alto Golf Course continued to function but hard times hit The Outlaw course and it closed. But it was revived when Alan and Patty Russell purchased the subdivision in 2011 and has been growing steadily. So steadily that the two courses now boast some 2000 members.
LOTS ALONG both courses range from $95,000 up. Annual memberships are $2579 but you can play either of the two courses. Both are open to members or direct guests of members.
The view, high in the mountains, is incredible. And you can imagine how challenging it is with downhill, uphill and sidehill fairways and greens.
But what fun.
I know. Tom Hussmann, Jack Welch, Danny Garcia and I played The Outlaw course there a couple of weeks ago and had a blast.
It’s always fun going to Ruidoso for a weekend, or even a day. The old two-lane 54 highway is now a divided 4-laner so it’s easy to get there. And now golf enthusiasts have another beautiful golf course to play.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What two players did the New York Yankees honor when they retired uniform number 8? Answer at end.
LAST WEEK my crystal ball predicted that UTEP will make the basketball playoffs this season. But Charles Hill, a respected sports analyst, says it won’t be quite so easy to make the NCAAs. He writes:
“I see UTEP winning 23-25 games during the season before the C-USA Tournament but it doesn’t matter. The Miners will have to win the conference tournament because the schedule is so weak.
“The following games are crucial to the Miners’ post season chances: 1) At least one win against Southern Illinois or Colorado State, (2) beat Washington State, 3) split with NMSU, 4) win all their C-USA games at home and 5) maybe pick up road wins in C-USA against UTSA, Southern Miss, Marshall, FIU and Florida Atlantic.
“The Miners can do all this and they still will be on the bubble to play in the post season. Basically they have to win the C-USA Tournament at UAB in March.”
IT WAS GOOD to have Lee Trevino attend the 2015 Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Classic at El Paso Country Club last weekend.
He and I go way back to when he was working at Horizon Golf Club and cleaning clubs and shining shoes before he became famous. What a presence he was. Loud and funny – and exceptionally talented with a golf stick – he went on to become one of the PGA’s greatest stars.
I listed many of his exploits, and jokes, in my book, “The Good, the Bad and the Funny of El Paso Sports History.” He was a perfect example of the good and the funny of sports.
I HAD MANY happy moments with him but my personal favorite is the following excerpt from my book:
“This writer was golf editor at the El Paso Herald-Post during Lee Trevino’s stay in El Paso and surrounding area. Among his duties at Horizon Country Club (when he first arrived in El Paso) was shining shoes in the caddy shack.
“When I played there and he shined my shoes I would tip him a quarter. After he won the U. S. Open in 1968, there was a big celebration in the Horizon clubhouse and I was sent to interview him. We were sitting at the bar having a drink and, jokingly, I asked him if he would still shine my shoes.
“‘Sure,’ he said (smiling). ‘Take them off. But, uh, the price has gone up.’
“I didn’t ask how much and laughed all the way back to the office.”
ANSWER to trivia question: Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra, both catchers.