Summer '23 - Vermejo, a recreation and outdoor paradise
Monday, March 19, 2018
Your home away from home
Searching for the perfect private golf club home
Story by Bill Bowman
The search is on. You’re looking for that perfect private golf club to call home—that piece of golf paradise that opens its arms and makes you feel like a true VIP. Well, Las Vegas definitely has more than its share of choices.
We asked the general managers at some of Vegas’ most exclusive private golf clubs to give us a little peek into what makes their club special for those looking for a place to call home.
Here are some of their thoughts:
Anthem Country Club
1 Club Side Dr., Henderson
702-614-5000
www.anthemcc.com
General Manager: Jonathan M. Clay, Sr., CCM
Opened: 1999
Designer: Keith Foster & Hale Irwin
Holes: 18, par 72
What makes this club stand out to golfers? The dramatic elevation changes, natural desert terrain, sparkling waterfalls and lakes, picturesque canyons, and the magnificent Vegas strip views make the course both playable and stunningly beautiful, while five sets of tees accommodate players of all abilities.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? Our golf practice facility with the double-ended range, two chipping areas and two putting greens is spectacular. ACC has the best view of the Las Vegas Strip from the Desert Sky Dining Room. The resort-style pool and fitness center with over 30 exercise classes per week is extremely popular and the monthly social calendar at ACC is second to none.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. Fun! If you don’t have fun at Anthem Country Club, you won’t have fun anywhere.
What type of memberships are offered? Equity Full Golf, Young Executive Golf (40 & under), Corporate Golf, National Golf (non-resident, must live more than 75 miles outside the club), Social.
Canyon Gate Country Club
2001 Canyon Gate Dr., Las Vegas
702-363-0303
www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Canyon-Gate-Country-Club
General Manager: Allen Fredrickson
Opened: 1989
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Holes: 18, par 72
What makes this club stand out to golfers? No. 1, we just completed a $1.2-million renovation and redesign of all 18 greens last year. No. 2, Playability. The course now challenges golfers with more options. And, No. 3, it’s all about the experience. The lagoons, waterfalls, sand bunkers and landscaping, along with the redesign, have allowed us to elevate the level of play.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? Great golf, tennis, fitness, swimming, and amazing food. Canyon Gate Country Club is a member of the ClubCorp family, and our members receive 50 percent off dining at the club and access to a local and worldwide network of more than 300 owned and alliance clubs and special offerings at more than 1,000 hotels, resorts and entertainment venues.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. We have a great product and superior service, and our motto is ‘Building Relationships and Enriching Lives.’
What type of memberships are offered? We have golf, sports and social memberships. Golf members have access to all club amenities. Sports and social are limited.
DragonRidge Country Club
552 South Stephanie St., Henderson
702-614-4444
www.DragonRidge.com
General Manager: Larry Wright
Opened: 2000
Designer: Jay Moorish
Holes: 18, par 72
What makes this club stand out to golfers? This is a true mountainside course. There are many elevation changes on the course with Strip and valley views on every hole. It’s a really fun desert-style course to play. Conditioning is what makes it so special.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? In addition to the golf course, we have a 15,000 square foot tennis and fitness facility. There’s steam, whirlpool and saunas in the men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. It’s a full-service country club with all of the amenities including social, dining and fitness.
What type of memberships are offered? We offer full golf memberships, a national membership (out of state members have reduced dues), young executive memberships, sport golf memberships, and sport social memberships.
Las Vegas Country Club
3000 Joe W. Brown Dr., Las Vegas
702-734-1122
www.lasvegascc.com
General Manager: Garth Walker
Opened: 1967
Designer: Ed Ault
Holes: 18
What makes this club stand out to golfers? It’s a great golf course with a lot of quality. It’s not a desert course and that’s what is unique about it in Las Vegas. Our greens are as good if not better than anyone in town. It’s playable but still challenging.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? The history makes it memorable. Frank Sinatra was member #1, and Dean Martin played every day with the same group for years. The people who helped build Las Vegas over the past 50 years are and were members of this iconic club. It’s a uniquely designed clubhouse. There’s lots of stone and lots of wood. It’s just very special.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. It’s a golf course where members can come and play and have an over-the-top experience from the moment they come through the gate until the time they leave.
What type of memberships are offered? Golf membership, junior golf membership, corporate golf membership, corporate social membership, corporate clubhouse membership, social membership, and regular clubhouse membership, and two different types of national memberships.
Red Rock Country Club
2250-A Red Springs Dr., Las Vegas
702-304-5600
www.RedRockCountryClub.com
General Manager: Thom Blinkinsop
Opened: 1999
Designer: Arnold Palmer
Holes: 18, par 71
What makes this club stand out to golfers? It’s a golf course that is challenging, but very playable. We have great views of Las Vegas and the nearby mountains.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? Our men’s, ladies’ and senior golf associations are well supported and very diverse. There is always some type of game going every week, and we put on a variety of golf tournaments for members. We are definitely one of the most active clubs, and with social and dining events, it makes us an all-around club.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. Red Rock is a family-oriented club with golf, social and tennis events that keep members active and busy.
What type of memberships are offered? We have four different levels. Golf (includes Golf, Sports Club, Tennis, Pool, Social); Executive (If players don’t play a lot of golf they will pay less and this membership includes all of the other activities); Sports Membership (Athletic, Workout Facility, Tennis, Dining, Social); Social (Dining and Events).
Southern Highlands Golf Club
One Robert Trent Jones Ln., Las Vegas
702-263-1000
www.SouthernHighlandsGolfClub.com
General Manager: Jason Cheney
Opened: 2000
Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Holes: 18, par 72
What makes this club stand out to golfers? While Southern Highlands has a tremendous reputation amongst golfers, what truly makes this Club special are the members and their passion, not only for this Club, but golf in general.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? Besides a wonderful practice facility and amazing golf experience, the Club has a world-class spa and resort-style pool that all members enjoy.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. I often tell people that we are so much more than a golf or country club; we are a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
What type of memberships are offered? Sport/Social, National Golf, Resident National Golf, Young Executive Full Golf, Full Golf.
SouthShore Country Club LLV
100 Strada Di Circolo, Henderson
702-856-8400
www.southshoreccllv.com
General Manager: John Herndon
Opened: 1995
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Holes: 18, par 71
What makes this club stand out to golfers? The uniqueness of the golf course and the great reputation that it has enjoyed over the years with the national and state rankings. The elevation changes, the variety of the golf courses and the big horn sheep really make it special.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? It’s definitely a full-service country club. There are recreational amenities, which are under the umbrella of our Lake Club. We have kayaks and paddleboards, a heated pool, gym, dining and the many social events we host.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. It’s a nationally ranked golf course that is in a very unique setting that offers a quality, private club experience.
What type of memberships are offered? Full Golf, National Golf, Sport/Social.
Spanish Trail Country Club
5050 Spanish Trail Ln., Las Vegas
702-364-5050
www.spanishtrailcc.com
General Manager: Stan Spraul, CCM
Opened: 1984
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Holes: 27
What makes this club stand out to golfers? Spanish Trail is a traditional golf course from legendary Architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. featuring Tour level greens, numerous water features and scenic mountain views of the Las Vegas Valley. Featuring 27 holes for numerous tee and competition levels, the Sunrise, Canyon and Lakes nines give all players of any skill level a challenging yet playable golf course.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? The 50,000-square-foot clubhouse offers casual to formal dining seven days a week. Members have access to community pools, tennis course and fitness center.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. With 27 holes of golf and five sets of tees, the golf experience can be different every day.
What type of memberships are offered? There are several levels of golf memberships based on the age of the member: young executive ages 21 to 35, 36 to 40, and full golf for 40+. We have corporate golf membership and associate golf for out-of-town members. There is also a social membership for those who love fine dining and casual social events all year long.
The Summit
ONE Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Dr., Suite 480, Las Vegas
702-970-2150
www.summitclubnv.com/golf
General Manager: Mike Finnell
Opened: 2017
Designer: Tom Fazio
Holes: 19 holes (with an add-on hole for tie breakers), par 72
What makes this club stand out to golfers? In the Las Vegas market, it doesn’t get much more exclusive and private. The views are breathtaking. Fazio’s design enhances the real estate as the golf corridor sits below the lots. The one thing we stress: The answer is always yes.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? It starts with the first hole. Players pull up to a rock enclosure that looks like a cave. There’s an old 1935 safe inside. Players clink the handle and open it and everything they will need is in there…. tees, pencils, scorecards, markers. There are also speakers to play their music on. Our comfort stations have everything. We have sodas, salads and sandwiches. The other station has a chef, with tacos, skewers, sliders and Wagu hot dogs on the menu. And there’s so much more.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. We have quality, services and amenities unparalleled anywhere.
What type of memberships are offered? Members must own property. We will have a world-class fitness center, swimming pool, bowling alley, sport courts and more. All are included in membership.
TPC Summerlin
1700 Village Center Cir., Las Vegas
702-256-0111
www.tpc.com/summerlin
General Manager: Mike Messner (acting GM; Allan Irwin comes in as GM in March, 2018)
Opened: 1991
Designer: Bobby Weed with Fuzzy Zoeller
Holes: 18
What makes this club stand out to golfers? Since 1991 we have hosted the PGA TOUR event every year. Being owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, it’s synonymous with excellence. Bobby Weed has done a tremendous job. PGA TOUR players do play here, but the other 51 weeks of the year is where the focus really comes into play. He created an element of difficulty on the course, but with five sets of tees on every hole, it is playable and a challenge for all skill levels.
What are some of the over-the-top amenities that members enjoy? We added a lifestyle center in 2016 and the members do take advantage. Part of the expansion included an added stadium tennis court (five total), a workout facility, massage therapy room and a brand new kiddie pool. It all appeals to golfers pre- and post-round and appeals to families.
Sum up the experience at the club in one sentence. We offer a PGA TOUR golf course that offers an unparalleled experience for players of all skills levels.
What type of memberships are offered? There are eleven different membership opportunities including golf, dining and social. Golf memberships include access to everything. We have dining membership and activity/social membership.