Yeah, the country club and golf course looked much like it had 30 years ago when she was perfecting her game.

But, oh, that neighborhood closing in on the east course sure wasn't there in the 1970s. Heck, it wasn't even there in the 1990s.

Rosie Jones, born in Santa Ana, Calif., was back in her old stomping grounds last week, fondly remembering a hot-air balloon ride she'd had "back in the day" when the only landmarks she recognized from aloft were Rio Rancho Country Club, now Chamisa Hills Country Club; Paradise Hills Country Club, now Desert Greens Golf Course; and Cibola High School, still Cibola High School and Jones' alma mater (Class of 1977). She visited with area media members Friday to talk about her role in the New Mexico Shootout, set for Sept. 24 at the new Turtleback Mountain resort in Elephant Butte. There, Jones will be paired with another New Mexico legend, Nancy Lopez (Roswell) in a better-ball format match against former University of New Mexico standout Kristi Alberts and Natalie Gulbis.

Jones grew up in Rio Rancho and Northwest Albuquerque, honing her game, winning three Albuquerque city women's golf titles and earning a golf scholarship to Ohio State University, where in 1981 she was an AIAW All-American.

By July of 1982, Jones, who turns 48 on Nov. 13, qualified for the LPGA Tour.

Although major championships eluded her - she finished second numerous times, including the 1984 U.S. Women's Open, the 1990 LPGA championship, the 2000 Du Maurier Classic and the 2001 Women's British Open - she won 13 non-majors tournaments.

Retiring from full-time play at the conclusion of the 2006 U.S. Women's Open - she left her golf shoes near the 18th hole at Newport Country Club to signify her decision to retire - she has since played on the women's Legends Tour and provided commentary on The Golf Channel.

According to the golfchannel.com, Jones "was a fiery leader of seven U.S. Solheim Cup teams, racking up a sparkling 11-9-2 record in the biennial competition against a team from Europe."

She also runs "Rosie Jones Golf Getaways" for women.

Jones, ranked 15th among New Mexicans in Sports Illustrated "50 Greatest Sports Figures from New Mexico" in 2000 (Lopez was No. 3), grinned when she was asked to recall some of her best memories from playing golf in Rio Rancho.

Foremost was notching what turned out to be the only double-eagle (three-under-par) on a par 5 on the east course during a city tournament. "I lost the tournament," she added, while she was still in high school.

Secondly, she said, "I took down a lot of guys here for their money," winning as much as $75 - remember, that was 30-plus years ago - when she'd get challenged by male golfers thinking they were better than this young lady golfer. (Jones also earned money for college by running the beer cart at Paradise Hills, she said.)

And she also remembered winning a championship at RRCC "that qualified me for a national tournament, the PGA Jr. Nationals I think," which earned her a trip to then-new Disney World.

Jones said she still has a lot of family members on the West Side; the house she stayed in while here had belonged to her mother and was close enough to CHCC that she walked to the club for her appearance.

Of course, she added, she brought her clubs to New Mexico, hoping to hit from the driving range and maybe even play a round or two.

As for the Shootout, she said, she was excited about playing golf here again.

"New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment and it is a great destination for golf," she said. "This is our opportunity, this is our chance to jump in and be a part of it, help women's golf."

Kathy Whitworth (Jal; S.I. ranked her fourth in that 2000 issue, thanks to her 88 LPGA victories)), another famous New Mexican golfer, will host the Shootout. Whit worth also will hold a clinic for golfers.

Shootout spectators - tickets are $25 each; children under 13 are admitted for free - will have an opportunity to test their skill and compete for their own sizeable purse in a $10,000 putting contest.

Sierra Vista Hospital in T or C will benefit from the Shootout's proceeds. There is a purse of $36,000 for the event: Holes 1-6 are worth $500 each; holes 7-12 are worth $1,000 each; holes 13-17 are worth $2,000 each; and the 18th hole will be worth $17,000.

More details on the Shootout are available at www.newmexicoshootout.com.