Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 33)

GOLF IN THE DESERT Where your Vegas clients can go when they’re ready for tee time major Strip resort to another when you count waiting for a cab. It is an odd juxtaposition—lush greens and fairways contrasted with the harsh desert landscape. It makes for an unusual experience, one that’s sure to be a highlight of any loyal golfer’s Las Vegas vacation. Here’s all you need to know about the top courses in Las Vegas that are affiliated with major casino resorts. BY GLENN HAUSSMAN SURE, LAS VEGAS SITS IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARCHED, SUN-SOAKED DESERT, BUT THAT HASN’T PREVENTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF lush green golf courses in the area. Though golf is not a well-known part of the typical Sin City vacation, there are several refuges where golf addicts can get their fix. One is even in the middle of the Strip itself, at Wynn Las Vegas. The thing about golf in Las Vegas is that it’s not on many people’s radar. It’s not like places such as Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, destinations that were practically built on the love of golf. The truth is many golfers simply don’t know they should take their clubs along with Lady Luck when they go to Vegas. Virtually all the leading resorts can ensure their guests get access to certain golf courses, most of which are about a 30-minute drive outside town. But before you worry that your clients won’t want to ride out to the greens, let’s put it into perspective: Thirty minutes is essentially nothing in Las Vegas travel time. It can take almost as much time to go from one Wynn Las Vegas It’s the only course actually located on the Las Vegas Strip, and to play it you must be a guest at Wynn Las Vegas (www.wynnlasvegas.com). Even then, it costs $500 a round, though that comes with a host of amenities, including the golf cart and free drinks. The course itself was a design collaboration between casino mogul Steve Wynn and acclaimed player/designer Tom Fazio. It sits on the site of the former Desert Inn golf course, but has essentially been totally rebuilt and transformed into an incredibly gorgeous par-70, 7,042-yard course. A stunning 37-foot waterfall is the focal point of the 18th hole and is also the best view from the course’s Country Club Grill. Wynn’s course features Pennlinks Bentgrass greens, built to United States Golf Association specifications, and the fairways and tees have Tifway II Hybrid Bermuda grass. There are more than 1,200 trees—some as tall as 60 feet—and more than 100,000 shrubs on the property, as well as streams and marshlands that create water accents for most holes. The facility also includes full-service locker rooms and a pro shop. MGM Mirage Guests staying at resorts owned by MGM Mirage (www.mgmmirage.com)—Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, New York New York, Monte Carlo, MGM Grand, Circus Circus, Luxor, Excalibur and Treasure Island—can play at two locations: Primm Valley Golf Club or Shadow Creek. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 LEFT: The par-70 golf course at Wynn Las Vegas was designed by Tom Fazio and is the only one on the Las Vegas Strip BELOW: The Lakes is a par-71, 18-hole course at the Primm Valley Golf Club, available to guests of MGM Mirage resorts March 3, 2008 TravelAgent | 33 http://www.wynnlasvegas.com http://www.mgmmirage.com

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Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

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