West at Painted Dunes Golf Club

Painted Dunes Golf Club's West Course sits in the desert landscape of far west Texas, designed by Jeff Brauer and Ken Dye. The course occupies terrain characteristic of the El Paso region, where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Franklin Mountains, offering golf amid natural sand formations and native vegetation. The design works with the existing topography rather than imposing heavily manufactured features, a practical approach given the arid environment and the collaborative nature of the architectural team.

Brauer, known for his work across Texas and the Southwest, brings experience in desert and links-influenced design, while Ken Dye—son of Pete Dye—contributes familiarity with strategic bunkering and ground-game options. The routing likely emphasizes width and multiple angles of play, allowing golfers to navigate around desert scrub and natural waste areas. Elevation changes provide variety in shot requirements and views across the surrounding basin.

The course serves both daily-fee and member play, typical of El Paso's golf market, where public access and military personnel from nearby Fort Bliss contribute to steady rounds. Conditions reflect the challenges of desert maintenance—firm turf, limited water, and exposure to wind. The layout rewards course management and creativity over pure length, with strategic decisions around risk and bailout areas defining the better scores.