The Club at Las Campanas

The Club at Las Campanas sits in the high desert foothills northwest of Santa Fe, where the landscape rises toward the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountain ranges. The property encompasses two eighteen-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, with the Sunset Course opening in 1995 as the second layout following the Sunrise Course. Both courses occupy terrain characterized by arroyos, pinyon and juniper vegetation, and elevation changes that provide views across the surrounding basin and toward the distant peaks. The Sunset Course plays at elevations above 7,000 feet, where the thin air affects ball flight and distance calculations. Nicklaus routed the holes through rolling high desert topography, incorporating natural washes and rock outcroppings into the design. The layout requires strategic positioning off the tee to navigate the uneven lies and elevation shifts common to the terrain. Approach shots often play to greens set against backdrops of native grasses and scrub, with the mountain views providing orientation throughout the round. Las Campanas operates as a private residential club, drawing members from Santa Fe's community and seasonal residents attracted to the area's cultural amenities and climate. The club maintains both courses for member play, with the Sunset generally regarded as the more demanding test of the two Nicklaus designs on the property. The high desert setting means conditions can vary significantly with seasonal weather patterns, particularly wind that sweeps across the exposed higher ground.