Welcome to Las Vegas
(The following article first appeared in the September 2011 issue of Golf Canada magazine)
Whether it's restaurants, live performances or penthouse suites, Vegas certainly has a knack for doubling down on wow-factor. Even the most hardened Texas Hold'em player will have trouble restraining their practiced poker face from turning royal flush giddy when they first step foot on the bent grass Edens that are a mere gap wedge away from the bustle of the strip.
Take a twenty-minute drive into the suburbs of Henderson, Summerlin or the city of North Las Vegas and you completely redraw the canvas, replacing the clear view of the iconic casino palaces with attention-commanding desert mountains.
The majestic ranges frame emerald fairways, which spring from the sun-parched earth amidst xeriscape gardens with the occasional sign cautioning of lurking snakes. That certainly keeps one on their toes during ball-hunting expeditions.
Vegas golf really has something for everybody, with over 60 public and semi-private courses in the area, catering to high rollers, low scorers and everyday duffers looking to get out there and have some fun in the sun.
The theme-hotel-addled fantasies that mark Vegas – where you can take a gondola ride in Venice, share a romantic moment at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and munch on a pizza in New York, all in one afternoon -- extends to Sin City's varied fairways.
(Royal Links Golf Club)
There's no need to hop the pond to experience the proper golf on tap in the British Isles. The Royal Links Golf Club offers facsimiles inspired by the most esteemed holes on the Open Championship rotation.
Course designer Pete Dye's creations pay homage to everything from Royal Troon's Postage Stamp to the Road Hole at St. Andrews.
These inspired recreations artfully respect every detail, right down to the bunkers that can feel as deep as black holes when the Claret Jug is up for grabs.
While it's not exactly a Pinehurst doppelganger, Desert Pines, which hosted Big Break's second season, transplants thousands of pine trees to recreate North Carolina's scenic sandhills experience in old Vegas, just a five minute drive from downtown.
(Bali Hai Golf Club)
At the southern end of the strip is the Bali Hai Golf Club, a vibrant South Pacific-styled paradise that belies its arid setting with tropical plants and abundant water features often coming into play.
With wide open fairways and the gleaming facades of Mandalay Bay and other resorts frequently coming into view, this immaculately conditioned par-71 course may not transport you to its Indonesian namesake but it sure is a lot of fun to play.
During my round, a par-three on the back nine served notice that this is no Indonesian island track. A chance to make things a little more interesting is set up: double your wager if you land on the green in pro shop store credit. Succumbing to the pressure of the bet I fail to stick it, but nobody goes home empty handed. Even errant shots are rewarded with a gift certificate in the amount of your bet.
(Dragonridge)
For golfers who prefer a golf course that embraces its natural environs, the Jay Morrish and David Druzisky masterpiece Dragonridge, a private course with tee times available to the public on a limited basis (prime early morning spots are usually reserved for members) is an absolute must-play.
The rugged beauty weaves wide ribbons of verdant fairway through scorched earth and baked rocks, creating a stunning contrast between grass and desert.
The Rees Jones-designed Rio Secco also rocks the aux natural look. For added beauty, your foursome can book a T-Mate, a cheerleader babe in a tennis outfit who can keep your scorecard, repair divots, and perform other light caddy duties for $200 per round. Royal Links offers a similar service with their gorgeous Par Mates.
While themed playgrounds, betting holes and showgirl cart-company are certainly a departure from tradition, there's nothing newfangled about Southern Nevada's rich golf heritage.
Vegas started the PGA's Tournament of Champions in 1953 with a tournament field restricted to the previous year's PGA tour winners.
The format survives to date with Hyundai as the title sponsor. It's played in Maui, at the Kapalua, to tee off the season in January. The original winner's prize was a wheelbarrow filled with 10,000 silver dollars, which attracted not only the best golfers of the day, but contributed to the glam and glitter of early Vegas. Sinatra, Martin, Hope and other stars showed up and lent their star power to attract national attention to the Tournament of Champions, and its original host city, Las Vegas.
In 1983 Vegas upped the stakes with the Panasonic Pro Celebrity Classic. The Classic was the first purse to break the million dollar barrier, which was twice the payday of the next richest tourney at the time. Other PGA sponsors soon followed suit, upping the ante on their purses and turning pro golf into the high stakes game it is today.
In a town where so many tourists go to gamble, but very few strike it rich, it seems fitting that Vegas would provide a launching pad for Tiger Wood's legendary career.
Playing the Las Vegas Invitational on a sponsor's exemption in 1996, Woods beat out Davis Love III in a playoff to earn his first PGA Tour victory.
The previous season, Jim Furyk received his first winner's cheque jackpot with a one stroke victory over Billy Mayfair. While Rickie Fowler didn't quite win here, he did have a brush with Lady Luck while residing in Vegas, when he was chosen as a Captain's pick for the 2010 Ryder Cup. By the way, if you're wondering, Jhonattan Vegas' Vegas connections do not go past his name.
While core Vegas tourism is on the mend, ancillary attractions outside of gambling like golf are still feeling the stings of the recession and stiff competition, so stay-and-play deals abound. Check lasvegasgolfadventures.com or lasvegasgolfgetaways.com for the latest packages.
ROAD TRIP: GO SIENNA Another recommendation is the Siena Golf Club, for a number of reasons. Whether you are a zero handicap, or a 30, there's something in it for you. "The zero won't light it up, and the 30 won't lose a ton of balls" says Tony Lenzie, director of golf and general manager for the property. Indeed, it's tough, challenging, but not back-breaking. Established in 2000, the course is very playable, tee to green, with a lot of breaks in the greens, which can be tricky, on top of the multiple bunkers. But as said, it's not over the top – there are plenty of shot-making options – which means you can focus on enjoying the day with your friends. Lenzie also said they made a point of not cutting back on supporting staff during the tougher economic times in the Vegas area recently, meaning you still have access to a team of course advisors and marshals throughout your round. Good service is what really sets Siena apart. www.sienagolfclub.com, or 1-888-689-6469, toll free -- Max Chiefallo
ROAD TRIP: MESQUITE NEVADA
With a bevy of immaculately groomed championship courses and a more laidback atmosphere than Sin City, Mesquite – 85 miles north of Las Vegas down I-15 – is perfect for golfers who prefer wild views to a wild nightlife.
Consistently ranked among the top five spreads in Nevada is Mesquite's must-play Wolf Creek, a par-72, 7,018-yard layout featured in EA Sports Tiger Woods '11 edition.
Lush green spaces are interwoven through raw desert terrain with dramatic elevation changes galore. A mere nervecalming exhalation before every backswing may not do the trick here. Either you'll have to add a couple of confidence-boosting waggles to your pre-shot routine or try some yogic breathing to still your beating heart.
Mesmerizing panoramic mountain scenery greets you on every tee box and forced carries over jaw-dropping chasms will play mind games with your club selection.
For courses that'll be a little easier on your scorecard, next take your wolf pack … er … foursome to the Oasis Club's Palmer course or the Falcon Ridge Golf Club.
Stay: The Casablanca resort and spa is where Big Break Mesquite golfers holed up when Golf Channel's popular contest was held here a few years back. www.golfwolfcreek.com, or 1-866-252-4653, toll free.