Cover Story SERENELY SPECTACULAR SUMMERLIN By the AZGOLF Insider Staff

WEST SIDE STORY: GOLF SUMMERLIN GOLF SUMMERLIN

Next time you visit glitz-laden Las Vegas, be sure to check out this safe, serene haven

Not far from the neon lights and nonstop nightlife of the Las Vegas Strip lies Summerlin, a serene community of about 100,000 people. It’s also the home to Golf Summerlin, a terrific trifecta of three upscale golf courses that cost less than half the green fee of those bigger, super-chic layouts of metropolitan Vegas. Located at about 3,000 feet of elevation just to the west of the city — some locals call it “West Vegas” — you can see the Strip below from several vantage points on the Highland Falls, Palm Valley and Eagle Crest courses. All were built for the Sun City Summerlin Community within a five-year span (1989-1994) by the architecture team of the late Billy Casper and Greg Nash. The courses are private but open to the public. It is quite a perch, with all that is Vegas down below yet very good golf in every direction. There’s also Nevada’s most upscale mall, Downtown Summerlin, as well as a rather large ball park that hosts the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, and the practice facility for the NHL’s Golden Knights. If that’s not enough, Summerlin features two nearby recreational areas, the Red Rock

From the 14th tee of the Highland Falls Course (opposite page), the Las Vegas Strip punctuates the mountain backdrop. Among Summerlin’s other amenities: Downtown Summerlin (left), the area’s most upscale mall, and Palm Valley, a course option among Golf Summerlin’s trifecta.

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Canyon National Conservative and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. For history buffs, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is the former ranch/ homesite of billionaire developer Howard Hughes, who donated the land. As a note of interest, Summerlin was the last name of Hughes’ grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin. Much of the 25,000 acres that make up Summerlin are still owned by the Howard Hughes Company. If that’s not enough, the community has 230 parks, which might go a long way in why it received awards from National Geographic Adventures (No. 1 Best Place to Live and Play) and Money Magazine (Best Places to Live in America). And besides the three courses at Summerlin, there are six other golf courses in the area, including the highly private TPC Summerlin that hosts

COURTESY GOLF SUMMERLIN/DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN

the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. And there’s also a TPC Las Vegas, which does accept tee times. Golf Summerlin is right down the street from the TPCs, and it must be doing something right, as the Las Vegas Review has named Highland Falls — not the TPCs — Best of Las Vegas in five of the last six years. Palm Valley also is a stunning layout with mountain views and strategic golf, and Eagle Crest is considered the best 18-hole executive course in Nevada, as well as a local favorite. Donny Long, the director of golf at Golf Summerlin, grew up playing and now manages the golf courses. Long said Highland Falls is considered the “best deal in Vegas.” “When it comes to Highland Falls, it defines ‘hidden gem,’ ” said Long,

WINNING TRIFECTA

Highland Falls 1

Par 72• 6,512 yards • 70.1 rating/119 slope Awarded the coveted “Best of Las Vegas” by the Las VegasReview Journal, Highland Falls offers elevation changes, welldesigned fairways and traditional but tough bunkering. Challenging from any tee box, this championship course designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash also has one of the highest view points of the Las Vegas valley.

Palm Valley 2

Par 72• 6,824 yards • 71.7 rating/123 slope A stunning layout of rolling fairways with spectacular mountain views, Palm Valley boasts strategically placed bunkers that guard large, mildly undulating greens. A great place built by Casper-Nash, the entire family will love Palm Valley.

Eagle Crest 3

Par 60• 4,067 yards • 60.6 rating/95 slope An 18-hole executive course that packs a punch, Eagle Crest is popular with residents and guests alike and offers plenty of variety off the tee. Translated: Eagle Crest will test every club in your bag. If you are looking for a quick round that’s challenging and fun, Eagle Crest by Casper-Nash is the one.

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Together, this trifecta of Vegas golf offers a broad variety of experiences by visiting www.golfsummerlin.com or calling, (800) 803-0758.

Palm Valley at Golf Summerlin (above) features all kinds challenges, including the par-3 16th hole that comes complete with a beach bunker. Eagle Crest (lower right) is regarded by many as Nevada’s most entertaining executive 18s. It’s no pitch ‘n’ putt, as one expert noted.

noting that his green fees range from $65 (summer) to $109 (peak). “And we have almost as much play on Palm Valley and Eagle Crest because those golf courses also are among the most popular in the Las Vegas area.

According to Long, Golf Summerlin is attractive for another big reason: “We’re only about 15 or 20 minutes from the Strip, and that’s pretty much a quick drive from there to play some of the best golf in Vegas for about half the price, or in some cases, a fourth of the price.”

That’s true, with courses like Shadow Creek, Cascata and the Wynn Golf Club, Vegas has its share of $500-plus green fees. Even the city’s second tier, courses like the TPC Las Vegas, Rio Secco and Bali Hai, are in the $200 to $350 range.

For those who want to play Golf Summerlin’s signature course, they will find Highland Falls always in tiptop shape with the closing stretch (Nos. 14-18) among the best in Sin City. The 14th hole, a testy 200-yard, downhill par 3, provides perhaps the best view of the Strip.

Palm Valley also is a championship 18 with a great closing stretch, the signature 18th being a dogleg right along water, with the wet stuff keeping golfers honest. And Eagle Crest is “no pitch ‘n’ putt,” Long added.

“This is how good our golf courses are: We’ve been open for 30 years and have never had to advertise, the locals like us that much,” he said. “I mean, obviously the biggest pull of Las Vegas will always be the Strip. But, somehow, we’ve always managed to hold our own because we’re a great West side story.

“In fact, we’re very much like a private experience in regards to the conditioning, service and quality of product. I would put us on par with the TPCs. And we’re quite proud of the fact that most people, once they’ve played here, they always come back.”

Long said the entire Summerlin community is strong on entertainment, and if you don’t want to leave (or return to the Strip), there is lodging and gaming nearby.

“We’re to Vegas what Scottsdale is to Phoenix,” Long said. “We’re newer, local, higher-end, and have some restaurants that rival the best on the Strip.

“Plus, and this is a big deal to a lot of people, it’s very safe, secluded and quiet. Summerlin is truly a haven, a golf haven.”

Some might add that Summerlin is a foodie haven, too. That list of fine dining includes Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen, the Vintner’s Grill, Oahala French Bistro and Marche Bacchus. A little local knowledge: Northside Nathan’s Detroit Pizza features some of the best deep-dish pie west of the Motor City.

Long would like to add his restaurant to that smorgasbord of local eateries. The Tavern at the Falls serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with great views — and reviews — in every direction. Breakfast

is served in continental or full form, depending on how much time you have before your tee time. Lunch and dinner include savory appetizers, small plates, sandwiches, salads and firegrilled entrees.

“Our members are happy to share their dining room with tourists and locals alike, just like the respect our members give outside play on our golf courses,” Long pointed out. “We’re friendly and gracious hosts.

“The private feel is a bonus, and the views (from the restaurant) are spectacularly beautiful.”

Another secret to Summerlin’s success is that it also has several casinos/resorts as an option for those who decide to stay and play. That list starts with JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa (which also has a golf course), the Suncoast Casino and Hotel, and the Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin.

Long said the only reason Summerlin is not a more well-known golf-and

COURTESTY SUNCOAST/JWMARRIOTT

For those who wish to stay and play at Golf Summerlin — and not return to the Las Vegas Strip — the Summerlin area offers several outstanding retreats, including the Suncoast Casino and Hotel (left) and the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa (right). And, yes, there is plenty of gaming and nightlife in Summerlin, as well as outdoor activities and 230 parks.

travel destination is because “we’re out here on the West Side of town.”

“Obviously, most people want to be situated on the Strip when they come to Las Vegas,” he added. “That, and there’s a lot of (golf) competition in Vegas, which is home to approximately 60 golf courses.

“It’s true, Vegas has a lot of expensive, sexy golf courses where you can pay up to $500 or more to play. But if you like that private feel, if you want

to play golf at 5 to 8 degree less than the temps you will find at most Las Vegas layouts, we’re the golf courses for you.”

Golf Summerlin is the host course for the Southern Nevada Golf Association and its 10,000 members. The Highland Falls and Palm Valley courses, which recently held the SNGA Championship, host several other major amateur and junior events throughout the year. n

For more information, visit golfsummerlin.com.

CHANGE OF COURSE

Golf in Tucson means a break from the average links. Challenge your game on daring desert layouts or hit it long on fairways that host the champions. Whatever your style, Tucson has it in the bag.

FIND YOUR COURSE AT VisitTucson.org/Golf