Mountain Man Invitational — July 20–24, 2026, Ruidoso, New Mexico

Trip updates

If you're planning to play, let Jeff Watts know - he's collecting who's in for this year's trip.

Quick update

We're seeing the usual pre-trip shuffle: a few schedule conflicts, some injuries, and other last-minute curveballs. All par for the course while we lock in this year's Mountain Man Invitational.

Roster & logistics

We're aiming for 16 players. There's still a little room—Llynal is tracking who's in and how the field fills out.

  • Dale is handling the closing dinner in Alto (same idea as last year).
  • Llynal is lining up tee times, with Dale helping get them set.

Partners & guests

It's a great week all around. If your wife, husband, or partner is joining you, please say so. We'll plan a few things on their side too: shopping, lunch, and casino time while we're on the course.

Players and schedule sections below will be updated as players confirm and tee times are set.

Players

  • Llynal CareyLlynal Carey
  • Scott Davies
  • Johnny EasonJohnny Eason
  • Dave EmertonDave Emerton
  • Harley FinnelHarley Finnel
  • Doyle HicksDoyle Hicks
  • Tim HughesTim Hughes
  • Larry HullLarry Hull
  • Corey KlessigCorey Klessig
  • Mike MiloserMike Miloser
  • Donny ReedDonny Reed
  • Gary SmithGary Smith
  • Dennis StewertDennis Stewert
  • Dale ValentineDale Valentine
  • Jeff Watts Jeff Watts Commissioner
  • Player 16

Teams

Mountain Lions

Captain

  • Captain — TBD

Players

  • Player 1 — TBD
  • Player 2 — TBD
  • Player 3 — TBD
  • Player 4 — TBD
  • Player 5 — TBD
  • Player 6 — TBD
  • Player 7 — TBD
  • Player 8 — TBD

Bears

Captain

  • Captain — TBD

Players

  • Player 1 — TBD
  • Player 2 — TBD
  • Player 3 — TBD
  • Player 4 — TBD
  • Player 5 — TBD
  • Player 6 — TBD
  • Player 7 — TBD
  • Player 8 — TBD

Schedule & events

Trail notes

We plan to rotate rounds across Alto Country Club, The Outlaw at Alto, and Rainmakers. Tee sheets and pairings will post here once Llynal and Dale lock times. Evening plans fill in as we go—check back or ping the group chat.

Golf — courses

  • Alto Country Club (Alto Lakes)

    The original 18 at Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club—think mountain air, pine-lined fairways, and plenty of wildlife. The front nine plays more open and scorable; the back nine adds slope, smaller targets, and trickier greens. It is the “country club” half of the Alto duo: straight golf in a cool summer setting.

    Edgy poster-style illustration: mountain-man golfer at Alto Lakes, typography with elevation and classic mountain eighteen specs.

  • The Outlaw at Alto

    The younger championship layout on the same club roster (opened 2011). Big elevation changes, native scrub, and faster greens make distance control the story—fewer trees, more sky, and a little more bruising if you get on the wrong side of a ridge. Official info lives with Alto Lakes under The Outlaw at Alto Lakes.

    Edgy outlaw-style poster illustration for The Outlaw at Alto with course taglines.

  • Rainmakers

    Rainmakers Resort & Club in Alto—a private club feel with knockout Sierra Blanca views and strong conditioning. Guests play by arrangement; book early and confirm cart and hospitality details with the pro shop when your tee is firm.

    Edgy resort poster illustration for Rainmakers private club and Sierra views.

Evenings & campfire

    Lodging

    Mountain Man ’27 — lodging update

    Host homes

    • Llynal Carey — Tim Hughes, Gary Smith, Scott Tefft
    • Dale Valentine — Harley Finnel, Doyle Hicks
    • Jeff Watts — Dave Emerton, Dennis Stewert

    Inn, VRBO, and local stays

    • Donny Reed — staying at his own home.
    • Scott Davies — Inn of the Mountain Gods with his wife.
    • Mike Miloser, Johnny Eason, Larry Hull, Corey Klessig — shared VRBO.
    Split on paid lodging. Take the total VRBO cost plus Scott Davies’s share of his room at the Inn. Divide that combined dollar amount by twelve players — everyone in that pool pays an equal share of the total. Llynal Carey, Dale Valentine, Donny Reed, and Jeff Watts are not in that twelve (hosts / own house).

    Partners and guests. Spouses and significant others are welcome. The Inn stays below are especially handy for couples who want full-service lodging while we’re on the course.

    About Inn of the Mountain Gods

    Stylized poster illustration: Inn of the Mountain Gods resort, Sierra Blanca foothills, golf and casino resort vibes.

    Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino sits in the Sierra Blanca foothills near Ruidoso on the Mescalero Apache Reservation—a full-service resort with rooms and suites, casino, multiple restaurants and bars, and entertainment. Ruidoso shopping and dining are a short drive away.

    Casino: Large gaming floor with slots and table games—plenty of room to unwind after golf.

    Dining: Several on-property venues from casual to sit-down; handy for group dinners or a quick meal between golf and evening plans.

    Booking: Reserve through the resort site or your preferred booking channel. Weekends around the trip fill fast — once Mountain Man ’27 dates are locked, book early.

    Inn of the Mountain Gods — official website

    Camp chat

    Live on this page — questions, answers, and tasteful smack talk. Messages stick around for the next visit.

    Offline

    Pick a nickname so the group knows who’s talking. It’s saved on this device (browser storage, not a login). You can change it anytime.

    Heads up: this is a shared room — don’t post private codes or anything you wouldn’t put in a group text.