This was the unexpected second leg of the SE New Mexico UFO Extraterrestrial Golfing Experience – that’s Ugly Flighted Orbs. I know, I know, for all you proud Texans, Kermit is in Texas – not New Mexico! It’s only 15 miles into the Lone Star state, but it looks like New Mexico. I know, I know, it’s in the Central Time Zone, but…my guess is that most Texans have never heard of (or been to) Kermit. Let’s discuss the course you’ve never heard about.
It was cart path only today, but I also think it is cart path only every day. After playing almost 300 9-hole courses, this was a first. There are cart paths on both sides of the hole, with a path that bisects the fairways about halfway down the holes. It’s not because they are wet – far from it. They are baked by the scorching sun and the ever-present wind to a concrete texture. So the less traffic the better to help preserve a semblance of a “grassy” landing surface.
Playing from the middle tees, this par 4 first hole measures 315 yards with a straight, compact driving area. The tee boxes are designed as follows: Back (white/red combo if playing 18 – 6501 yards); Middle (silver/blue – 5594 yards); and Forward (pink/black – 4899 yards). When have you ever seen a pink/black combo? They have constructed the course so as to give you a different look if playing 18. Hole #2 is a 170 yard par 3 with a large mound to the front left of the green. If your tee shot is destined to find that hump, you might receive a lucky bounce to the putting surface.
A very wide fairway greets you at Hole #3. The green is a distant mirage, but just hitch up your knickers and blast away. One of our drives went left and the other right – amazingly both finding the fairway. Now we understand the placement of the bisecting cart paths! At Hole #4 you find the first risk/reward hole. A par 5, dogleg left of 465 yards. There are decisions to be made at this point. If you choose the straight path and you’re a long hitter your ball could carry through the fairway. The other option is to cut the corner over the native grasses and find a possible birdie opportunity. Aim for the large tree that borders the cart path and see if your risk pays off. And to make that 2nd (or 3rd) more difficult, there is a small body of water to the front, left of the green.
Hole #5 is a par 3 of about 110 yards with one bunker to navigate. A bit of finesse is needed to guide your shot down the sixth hole fairway. It is tight, there is tree trouble, and if you hit any rock formations, who knows what danger your ball might encounter. A good design to make a straight par 4 a little more interesting.
Hole #7 is a short 275 yard, dogleg left par 4. The shift of the fairway is well guarded by trees and bushes, but there is a gap for those who dare to take on the risk. Hole #8 has out-of-bounds to the right and a very bad topped tee shot could find water to the left. It’s an easy hole if you can hit your ball straight! Hole #9 is a carbon copy of #8 – just longer.
Rating – Par (34 out of 60): No UFO’s were sighted across the border, but we did have plenty of Ugly Flighted Orbs during this Texas round. If you need plush green fairways and perfect greens, keep moving down the road. They were both spotty, and as Kermit, the Frog would say – “it ain’t easy being green”. The woman who welcomed us to WCCC was very friendly and professional. If you are motoring your way south to I-20 or Mexico and need a respite, you can probably find a quick, friendly round at Winkler County Country Club.
1250 County Road 102, Kermit, TX 79745; 432-586-9243; www.kermittex.gov
