I have travelled with my sticks to McCarron airport in Las Vegas a dozen times and not once have I ever teed it up in Sin City. I usually am heading straight to Mesquite, Nevada for the ReMax World Long Drive Championships. Well not this time! This time Vegas is the destination and golf is the primary focus.
I left Calgary in freezing temperatures and blowing snow. It was above 70 degrees when I landed in Vegas and the Strip was humming. It was straight to the hotel. I stayed at the Aria for the first time and was impressed with its elegant and cosmopolitan feel.
I tried the delectable tappas restaurant adjacent to the lobby,Julian Serrano’s. Wonderful vibe and perfect for sharing.
It was up early the next day for the first round at Angel Park which boasts 36 holes of Championship golf on their Palms and Mountain courses both designed by Arnold Palmer.
The facility also has a unique 12 holeshort course aptly named “Cloud Nine” as nine of the holes are lit each evening for night play along with a lighted natural grass, 9-hole putting course complete with bunkers, rough and doglegs.
Lisa Longball at Angel Park Golf Course
It was a fun track that doesn’t beat you up, perfect for the snow weary golfer escaping to the sun. It is funny that even though you can be a star at the driving range all winter in doesn’t always translate to mid-season form on the course.
With the early time I was able to be back at the hotel pool side by 1:00 pm. The music was pumping and beautiful bikini clad servers were bringing cold drinks and snacks. The cabanas were full off hooting hollering and cheering for NCAA March Madness games. This is apparently one of the busiestweekends in Vegas. They guys were happy to watch basketball, drink cold ones and huddle around any available screen.
That night was a Japanese inspired cuisine at BarMasa where I had Sake for the first time since University! A fabulous dining experience. Then it was off to the tables.
On a previous girls trip to Vegas my girlfriend Carolina taught me how to play roulette. I played for 3 hours that night and was up $100. I clearly don’t roll large but it was such fun not to lose money at the tables!
The next day it was off to The Legacy course designed by Arthur Hills. It is an 18-hole track that features multi-tiered fairways and large undulating greens. There are a few holes that can feel narrow and an errant tee shot will be punished.
It plays an impressive 7,233 yards from the professional tees so teeing it up at the right tee box for your index is key. Make sure to note the 10th tee box. It is a par 3 where the 4 tee decks are each in the shape of a heart, spade, club and diamond.
The 11, 12 and 13 tees have been notoriously named “Devil’s Triangle.” For their challenging nature that will be sure to have you celebrating a par as a birdie.
That night it was out to Joe’s Stone Crab at Caesar’sPalace. I am a sucker for crab cakes. Amazing! Then it was off to the Cosmopolitan Hotel and their lounge Bond. A great mix of 80’s, 90’s and present day hits with a fun and lively atmosphere, bright strobing lights and go-go dancers. My husband was most impressed with the girl washing wheels and squeegeeing. He doesn’t see much cleaning from me at home. Ha ha!
Cosmopalitan Hotel Bond Lounge
Sunday was a pool day. It was great to sleep in and have a relaxing day by the water. I have an affinity for palm trees and if they could survive the Canadian winter I would pack my yard with them.
That night it was off to Jean Gorges Steakhouse. When the waiter found out we were Canadian he told us “The Great One” (Wayne Gretzky) had dinned there several times. Good taste! I am an Alberta Beef girl through and through. The night was capped off with seeing Cirque du Soleil show Zarkana. I was blown away by the athleticism and talents of the performers. I think running away and joining the circus is now a viable career option!
Cirque du Soleil Zarkana Show
We saved the best for last by playing TPC Las Vegas on the final day. We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at the clubhouse’s TPC Grille. I highly recommend the Southwestern eggs benedict. Another weakness of mine!
The TPC Las Vegas golf course, previously known as TPC Canyons, is a tour level facility and has hosted several PGA Tour events including the Las Vegas Invitational, the Senior Tour’s Las Vegas Senior Classic and recently shared the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open with nearby TPC Summerlin golf course.
The course is a Bobby Weed and Raymond Floyd design measuring 7,063yards from the tips. The front nine is a bit tighter than the back and the greens were hard and fast. The second hole par 3 doesn’t give you much of a chance to warm up with a 200 yard tee shot from the tips to an island like green surrounded by rocks and desert. A great hole!
Make sure to take time to enjoy and avoid the stunning canyons accenting the back 9. The 18th hole is a fantastic finishing hole with an elevated tee offering a superb vista of the mountains and Las Vegas Skyline lined by water up the left hand side and guarding the green. Great place to make birdie!
It is everything you expect from a TPC course in terms of maintenance, quality of service and a true test of golf.
Sadly after the round it was straight to the airport. I can’t wait to tee it up in Vegas again; it is the perfect spot for an ALL inclusive golf destination.
Until next week, go long!
