As the parenthetical part of this hotspot’s name indicates, the New Mexico Highlands University Golf Course wetland may be viewed through the chain link fence that separates it from the city’s Abe Montoya Recreation Center. From Grand Avenue, drive to the west side of the Center parking lot. Walking north, behind the west side of the Center facility, you can examine the northern portion of the wetland, with open water east of Hole 2. Towards the southwest (or directly west of where you drove into the parking lot) is a cattail marsh with usually no open water. On the south side of the parking lot is a wooded area with a shallow ditch adjacent to the wetland. The deciduous trees here may also be inspected from the Engine 1129 viewing area on the northwest corner of Grand and Mills Avenues.

Again, the hotspot’s name implies its focus is the wetland, and it’s true the wetland is not viewable from the course area unless you’re playing Hole 2. Only registered golfers are permitted on the 9-hole course; no spectators are permitted, and every golfer must have a set of clubs. Enforcement may not be as strict as at some courses, but let’s not give birders a bad name. The public is allowed at the clubhouse restaurant, which has a beautiful deck overlooking Hole 1. In addition, the property includes an 18-basket disc golf course, the first 9 baskets of which are in the drier, hillier area above the clubhouse. Definitely if you record for this hotspot observations made near Engine 1129, on the disc course, or on the golf course from other than the Recreation Center parking lot, please record details of your route or stationary vantage point in checklist comments. 

The Gene Torres Golf Course is located at the base of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and offers a scenic view and fresh air. The golf course officially opened in 1958 and was a traditional 9-hole parkland-style golf course. In 2008, the golf course was redesigned and offers quite a contrast in layout from the previous course. It now has a touch of Scotland in the heart of Las Vegas.