Hi, read WSJ article - amusing and interesting. Your web site is a gem also. I have another example to add to the list. This is the golf course of an abandoned military post in south central New Mexico - Fort Bayard. General MacArthur's father was once the commander there, dating from the 1870's. It was scene of some tough Apache fighting at that time. Much mining in the area, and the Apache tribes took umbrage with it. Later the fort was given up by the military and it became a tb sanitarium for the state. My wife and I played the course about 20 years ago. Essentially no care of it except maybe volunteers. Very rustic, and fun. H.C. - 5/04/03

Layout of the old Fort Bayard course (click for larger view)

The Fort Bayard course was built in 1925 and there were sand green 9-hole courses in Hurley and Silver City. Magnetite was used for the green covering instead of sand and oil. It was a byproduct of the copper process. Magnetite is a very fine iron particle. It doesn't blow away. In 1963 the grass course at Scott Park came into being and the two other courses came into disuse. As of this moment I have around five or six men who are behind the Ft. Bayard course...The course is surrounded by National Forest. Ft. Bayard Hospital is about a short par 4 to the east of the National Cemetery. The plan is to use the area from Holes #1, #2, and #3 then create an executive type course in the dotted line area (click for illustration) about 30 acres to 40 acres. The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society has told me that come September or November we could possibly have some funding because we are now a National Landmark! - Robin Scott, 7/28/04

Vicinity map showing Fort Bayard Hospital, Silver City, Santa Clara, and Fort Bayard Golf Course. (click for larger view)

Fort Bayard Community Profile

Fort Bayard National Historic Site Designation on 3/04/03

Fort Bayard National Cemetery

If you have photos of Fort Bayard National Golf Course or more information about this course we'd love to hear from you. Contact us