Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort — Local services in Elephant Butte

My family has given The Club Restaurant several opportunities to impress us; we’ve had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here over the years, despite changing managers, servers, and chefs, they continue to fall short. There are not a lot of places to eat in T or C on a Sunday, so we decided to try The Club Restaurant again, and we regret our decision. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly host who seated us immediately. There was only one other table of 4 people eating in the restaurant. Our server was pleasant, asked for our drink orders, and left us to peruse the menu. As we looked over the menu, the other table left, so it was just my family of 3 in the restaurant. The server returned with our beverages, took our orders, and we proceeded to wait 40+ minutes for our food to arrive. As I mentioned before, we were the only people in the restaurant. In the meantime, we finished our waters and coffees, but the server never returned to ask us if we wanted refills. When our food finally arrived, the plates were hot, but the food was cold, and everyone’s eggs were cooked over hard when ordered over medium. My mother-in-law and husband ordered the breakfast combo, and the hashbrowns on both plates did not look appetizing. The bacon on one plate was burnt and thin, while the ham on the other was one thin slice of what looked like sandwich meat, not a thick breakfast slice. I ordered the chilaquiles, but when they arrived, sat so long in the kitchen that the chile sauce was dried on the cold, soggy chips. Considering we were the only ones there and two breakfasts were run-of-the-mill orders, how did they possibly come out so badly? Over the years, I have wanted this place to succeed, but their food is mediocre at best. I have been here for all meals, and each time it has either not tasted good, been overly salty, cold, overcooked, or undercooked (fish arrived overcooked on the outside and raw on the inside, not once but twice in the same evening). This restaurant could be amazing if they could get their act together otherwise, they will continue to fall short. It is a beautiful restaurant with a wonderful view, even adding an enclosure to the wonderful deck, but the food here is horrible. Unless they change hands again, I highly doubt we will ever return...

This is an update to my review below. This great course over the past few years has suffered from inattention and lack of funding to maintain its previous high standards. But apparently not for long. By Dec 2022 new owners will take over. I'm told they are a big outfit with big bucks who intend to make this course and it's amenities the "best in New Mexico." Some improvements are already done, to bridges on the course, that indicate they are serious. Nevertheless I did play the course, in its diminished state, and it was still both challenging and enjoyable....except for the abysmal sand traps that were unraked, sand was packed solid. (plus 3 strokes!!). Please hurry new owners !!! This course is both challenging and comfortable at the same time. But first a side note: it's under new ownership- I believe either the city of T or C or Elephant Butts have taken over so it would considered a municipal course. Nevertheless it's still the same layout. The only question is whether the course upkeep will remain at the same previous high standard. There are 5 tee boxes to tee off from depending on your skill level. Whichever you choose you still must figure out distance to your landing area and be able to hit the right club to that target. For sure length is NOT the priority. This is a "thinkers" golf course. On many holes you cannot see the green, but must navigate a dog leg correctly before your approach. I have personally played the entire course from the whites with just irons. This course is both fun and frustrating. (Bring 2 extra sleeves of balls). If you're a golf nut....play...

It has been a number of years since I played at Sierra del Rio Golf Course. Nine of us went down this week to play the course and see the renovations of the club house and country club. The changes and devotion to the course and facilities are visibly evident everywhere. Starting with your arrival at the clubhouse. We were greeted by professional golf staff, friendly and dedicated to making our outings wonderful. The price is the best value in the state, maybe the country. Our golfing was challenging given the scenery of the course. Every direction had scenic views, and the course is well maintained. Not even a broken tee on the tee boxes. The management and owners will make this facility one of the best in the country. Pretty close right now. A little rain and a few more cuttings and it will top the charts. After golf, we had dinner in the lounge. Staff and the environment were great. The food was outstanding. The next day, we played and had a late lunch on the patio. The patio is all new with more scenery highlights. Lunch was super. The food was so good we returned for dinner that evening at the country club. Every meal was spectacular. The staff was attentive and friendly. Our entire group found the facility as one of the best. In fact, we ran into a number of other friends from Albuquerque at the course and they had the same evaluations as we do. They have added Sierra de Rio to their golf play, and...