My familiarity with Black Mesa dates back to 2002 when I came upon the construction of the course. The course then opened in 2003. In the years since I have returned on several occasions and played the course at various times and experienced the widest array of playing conditions.

Black Mesa has recovered from abysmal turf conditions prevalent several years ago. There had been talk -- thankfully rejected -- that golf would no longer continue. A level of "functionality" is now in place and that has clearly stabilized matters. Kudos to the on-site senior team assembled and the central leadership individuals within the Santa Claran nation in doing what had to be done in order to resurrect Black Mesa.

When Black Mesa first opened it garnered rightful acclaim. The course simply flowed over the magnificent terrain with golf holes devoid of any artifice. The experience was golf centric -- an engrossing design situated on 360 acres of land with no intrusive elements charging less than $100 to play. Truly remarkable.

But as the course matured, issues tied to the overall preparation emerged. My most recent visit this past October shows the dark days seem to be in the rear-view mirror now.

However, functionality attains only one level of success. The ceiling for Black Mesa is much higher for a range of reasons. The property, like the State motto, is indescribably enchanting. The layout created by Baxter Spann, in concert with then General Manager Eddie Peck and former Superintendent Pat Brockwell, still resonates for the range of holes and shotmaking challenges encountered.

A meaningful strategic plan needs to be put into motion. Functionality alone does NOT get you there. The level of detailing -- the fine tuning -- can be brought to the forefront only with clear resources -- money, manpower, equipment -- which drives the overall product to the next level.

Potential lies at the core of Black Mesa. Only steadfast commitment that's never satiated can achieve that goal.

The broader golf community recognized Black Mesa in its early days before the bottom fell out several years ago. Now that the facility is making strides the broader question is how far does the Santa Claran leadership wish to go with Black Mesa and is the leadership fully committed to the steps needed in order to stay the course in seeing that plan ultimately accomplished?

It's important to point out Black Mesa has an ideal location given its nearby connection to Santa Fe. The international awareness of New Mexico's capital city -- the oldest in North America -- is already present. Piggybacking on Santa Fe's global reputation can provide a much-needed boost to Black Mesa as a golf destination equal to all the dimensions driving visitors to the region now.

Other notable USA golf locations -- Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Kohler, Reynolds, Sand Valley, et al, are golf "centric" destinations but they do not command the sweeping richness and diversity that the broader Santa Fe area commands.

Black Mesa, in tandem with the majesty that being in the high desert area provides, can link those two elements in such a sweeping manner adding incredible bandwidth for those wishing to experience the varied dimensions.

In terms of Black Mesa now -- the functionality level I referenced means the golf course is recovering but more work needs to be carried out. To be mentioned in the same sentence with the aforementioned golf destinations means a rigorous commitment in getting all the key details right.

There's no question the panorama the golf course occupies is mesmerizing. Credit the Santa Claran for keeping out the clutter of various mindless distractions from soiling the experience when playing. When one is on the golf course the sheer exhilaration in enjoying the moment is truly memorable. That specific central focus needs to be kept in mind should any non-golf related development be contemplated in the future.

In terms of course presentation and turf quality -- the totality of the putting greens has been significantly improved. In my last visit to Black Mesa roughly 6-7 years ago -- the greens were inconsistent in speed and way too soft. That no longer exists.

The main issue is keeping the speed of the greens at a manageable level given the abrupt contours faced on several of them. It might be wise to also consider lessening the contours in a few cases -- the noted par-5 16th is one clear example. With excessive green speeds the wherewithal to use the broadest array of pin locations is not feasible.

It would be a major plus for the facility to contact architect Baxter Spann for his thoughts on such matters before any rash decisions are enacted.

The fairways are dramatically improved -- green color consistent throughout. But a side issue of concern has now emerged. In my experience, key courses in New Mexico have seen fit to literally douse fairways with water. No doubt keeping grass alive is needed in such a dry area. But overwatering robs the essence of the innate design elements a course possesses.

Spam designed Black Mesa so that the natural rolls and folds of the property came to life in a magical way. The essence of true golf design greatness is when the flight and roll of the golf ball works in unison. In the early days when the course first opened the intersection of flight and roll of the golf ball was front and center and integral to the playing of Black Mesa. That was when the euphoria in playing the course was at its zenith.

There is an old Scottish axiom -- "the game of golf only begins once the ball has landed." The fairways at Black Mesa encountered during my October visit were a rich verdant green. By necessity getting the fairways properly established remains pivotal given the lack of turf quality just a few years prior.

However, for the design to achieve its pinnacle level the fairways must reach a firmness and fastness that places Black Mesa at the apex of golf experiences. This duo element of firm and fast will not happen if overwatering of fairways is maintained from year to year. The consideration of aeration of fairways needs to be a part of that effort in order to truly attain the synergy of design and presentation.

Unfortunately, some of the renown courses in New Mexico have erred in their thinking. Erroneously concluding that lush green color grass, which strangles the capacity of a golf ball to roll after landing, is what customers want. That may be so for people who simply play golf -- but the core audience for Black Mesa are those that rightly call themselves "golfers."

During the updating of the course an internal decision was made to eliminate all existing fairway bunkers from when the course opened. This decision was carried out primarily for budgetary reasons. After seeing the property -- now minus the fairway bunkers -- I concur with the decision for that point in time.

But in going forward an overview of the golf course needs to be carried out with certain fairway bunkers being brought back into play. Clearly, this needs to be weighed carefully. The exact number and specific location would need a comprehensive study and Baxter Spann would be a wise choice for such an effort given his familiarity with the property. One of the elements in contemplating such an action is realizing the gains made by improved golf club and ball technology. Fairway bunker location would need to be carefully assessed on both a strategic level and in keeping pace of play in mind.

The other element bearing scrutiny is the tee locations at Black Mesa. I am speaking specifically about frontal tee locations and those at the championship position. Playability is a central factor for any course and that dovetails with overall speed of play. Having extreme frontal tees in the neighborhood of 4,000 yards would provide a recreational dimension for beginners / higher handicaps, etc, etc.

The flip side is adding additional length to the course given the elevation of the property and the yardage gains made from technology improvements in equipment. Presently, the course is just over 7,300 yards. Bringing that total to no less than 7,700 yards would provide a sufficient challenge for the most highly skilled players. Tee box locations are central to this so that the highly skilled players receive an appropriate test while not leaving out the needs of those players of lesser skill level.

For example, a new back tee location is needed at the 12th since the former championship tee area has suffered massive erosion. New back tees would strengthen such already quality holes as the 2nd, 3rd and 5th, to name just three on the outward nine.

On the inward half -- the stunning 10th would clearly benefit from such an addition. As would such holes as the 13th, 14th and 17th.

New frontal tee areas would minimize any strenuous forced carries and enhance the playing experience for all levels of play.

The joy in playing the course centers squarely on the masterful routing plan created. The land site has sufficient movement and when you stand on the tee box at the short par-4 7th or gaze up into the box canyon par-3 11th you are smitten like a young child about to open one's presents on Christmas morning.

Lastly, when you come to the final hole - the juxtaposition of the western windmill adjacent to the contoured 18th green is a fitting conclusion to one's round.

My last concern rests with the longer-term plan for the property. Black Mesa is blessed with the capacity to increase the overall bandwidth in what it can successfully offer.

That vision was seen by Eddie Peck when reaching out to Renaissance Golf and Tom Doak in doing a second 18 at Black Mesa. Doak, along with his design assistant at that time -- Jim Urbina -- did in fact create a second 18-hole routing plan for the property. Unfortunately, because of The Great Recession in the 2009 period, that desire for expansion was never put into motion.

Black Mesa's potential as a golf property rests on adding a second 18 at some point. That added bandwidth also includes updating the practice facility area. There is also the possibility a par-3 short course can be added as well as a practice green that is enlarged with a range of contours similar to what one sees now with the Himalayas at St. Andrews in Scotland.

As a reference -- the desire for golfers to head to Bandon in that hard-to-reach southwest corner of Oregon took off dramatically when the 2nd course (Pacific Dunes designed by Doak) opened. When Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser added to the facility's overall bandwidth, he maximized the length of time people remained on property. Black Mesa can do similarly and getting to Santa Fe is child's play compared to making a visit to Bandon Dunes.

Other facilities such as Pinehurst have also gone through major upgrades (to the famed #2 course and #4 course) as well as adding bandwidth via a short course called The Cradle located just outside the main clubhouse building.

As stated earlier, Black Mesa is now at a functional level. Going higher will require a sustained commitment. If carried out the upside can be considerable with the name Black Mesa resonating throughout the global golf world.

The Santa Claran leadership has much to decide, and the clock is indeed ticking. Black Mesa has made a mighty return to prominence, but a more lasting legacy is still doable if the vision to implement is carried out.

We shall see.