Offering a small town setting surrounded by rugged ridgelines, epic skies, and a deep sense of belonging to a path less taken.
ELEPHANT BUTTE, NEW MEXICO (two hours south of Albuquerque): Over 100 million years ago, Southern New Mexico was part of a shallow ocean. Once the sea receded, the area was the favorite hunting ground of the Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur. Hailed as the “Diamond in the Desert,” the area is home to the largest body of water in the state with year-round recreation opportunities across 200 miles of shoreline.
Staycation—A Way of Life
James Prendamano is the face of Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort. As founder of PreReal Real Estate, he leads the charge of future development. “I’ve done a number of real estate transactions in New York and along the densely populated East Coast,” explained Prendamano. “The legislative risks and challenging environment to secure necessary building permits and entitlements aren’t for the faint of heart. When governmental regulations are constantly a moving target, you feel the ground is always moving underneath your feet.
“Since the pandemic, the cultural shift to ‘work from anywhere’ took hold. So, as long as you have access to an airport and a speedy Internet connection, you can be based anywhere. I find it ironic that my Internet speeds in rural New Mexico are faster and more reliable than my office connection in Midtown Manhattan.
“Our community provides a cleaner, safer, and affordable option for those yearning to get back to their roots. With nature at your doorstep, it doesn’t take long for you to realize Turtleback Mountain is a different animal.”
Lead With Actions
The multi-year redevelopment of Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort will require approximately $500 million in investments and reinvestments. “Just imagine the number when you factor in the total economic impact to the area,” said Prendamano. “To top it off, the project is debt-free. After all, having a large mortgage can lead to making poor decisions down the line.
“I think I have a good sense of following burgeoning trends,” stated Prendamano. “If you’re having a crisis in your faith, look at all the nature surrounding us. It will reinforce your belief in a higher power.”
Investing for the Future
“Considering our county’s population tops out around 12,000, but attracts two million vacationers per year, opportunity beckoned,” commented Dan Fletcher, chief marketing officer at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort. “This is a mission, not a routine job. We aren’t just building homes.
“My mom used to call me a ‘special project.’ Now that I am heading up ‘special projects’ on-site, she must be proud!” teased Fletcher.
“Our goal is to enhance a lifestyle option that is far from urban centers. Locals are outdoor enthusiasts who relish the vastness of our land. At night, you feel you can almost touch the 400 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. Our team inherited a strong brand that needed capital investments. At first, we went from zero to 60 mph almost overnight, now we are transitioning from 60 mph to 120 mph!”
A Break from the Lake
Current amenities include a full-service restaurant specializing in Southwestern cuisine, an 18-hole championship golf course (host of the New Mexico Open for the next three years), four pickleball courts (expanding to eight in the near future), a fitness center, and a children’s playground/splash pad. Soon, a dog park, resort-style pool, and luxurious spa will join the mix.
“Our golf course is a shell-shocker of an experience. It’s off the beaten path, but worth the trip. The lush fairways against a stark and barren landscape make it one of a kind,” described Fletcher. “Landing the New Mexico Open is a big deal for us. It’s more than just a golf tournament. It will have a halo effect for the club and, for that matter, the entire region. Discussions transitioned from what if to how about to let’s do it.”
For information, visit TurtlebackMountainResort.com.