Course Spotlight Winter 2017 - CasaBlanca

Course Spotlight

CasaBlanca

How risky will you be?

Story by Bill Bowman

Photography courtesy of CasaBlanca Golf Club

If you’re visiting Nevada (or are a resident of the great state), chances are you do a little gambling. That also applies to your golf game, especially if you’re teeing it up at the CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev., just an hour north of Las Vegas.

The CasaBlanca Golf Club is a Cal Olson designed layout that opened in 1996. Located just a driver and wedge down the road from the CasaBlanca Resort, it plays 7,036 yards from the tips. With five sets of tees, there’s a distance for everyone’s game.

“The course is just in great shape,” says General Manager Brian Wursten. “We’ve got bent-grass greens that really roll well. It’s a challenging course, but it’s a very scoreable and playable course if you think your way around.”

While most of the gambling is done on the casino floor, when you step up to the tee at the CasaBlanca, you’ll have gambling-type decisions to make on this course that tempts players with a variety of risk/reward holes. Ask yourself: What type of gambler am I? Do you throw caution to the wind and go for the gusto? Or are you more cautious and gamble that a deliberate approach will pay off better in the long run?

Whichever type of attack you take, know that you’ll face those choices early and often. Take the par 5 second or the par 5 eleventh holes for example. Both play relatively short (505 and 531 yards) from the tips. That’s the good news. The bad news is bunkering off the tee and ponds definitely come into play. Accuracy will certainly be tested if players are going to go for the green in two. For those looking for the smart play on both holes—but still looking for a birdie chance—a layup shot to wedge distance will let you go flag hunting.

“They aren’t tough par 5s,” Wursten says. “But around the green, bunkers and water definitely make for tough shots.”

If the gambling expedition wasn’t enough, players will have to think long and hard on the tee of the third and 13th holes as well. Both are drivable par 4s (if you dare), especially from the forward tees. The third is 292 yards from the tips, while the 13th plays 264 yards. Is taking out the driver worth the gamble? Your swing and confidence will be the deciding factors on whether to try and drive the green or play it safe (and smart) and hit a mid-to-long iron to wedge distance and then taking dead aim.

“If you hit the green, especially on 13, it’s an easy, easy hole,” Wursten says. “But if you don’t, it can certainly be treacherous.”

Last, but certainly not least, are the golf stay-and-play packages. These include stays at the CasaBlanca Resort along with playing a round or two of golf at the CasaBlanca, as well as its sister course The Palms Golf Club. The resort offers 500 newly updated rooms along with a variety of dining, entertainment, and gaming options enhancing any getaway.

“There are great golf packages available and both courses are great to play,” Wursten says. “If you haven’t been to Mesquite in awhile and played the courses, it’s time to come back.”

CasaBlanca Golf Club

1100 W. Hafen Ln., Mesquite

702-346-6764

www.casablancaresort.com