The Golf Vacation Destination
Sometimes the middle of nowhere is a pretty good place to be. Just ask the developers who in the last decade have put little Mesquite, Nevada on the map as a refreshing getaway from the bustle of raging civilization. Situated near the remote borders of Nevada, Utah and Arizona, just 37 miles south of St. George and 80 miles north of Las Vegas, this quaint hamlet has in the last decade become one of the fastest growing cities in the country and an irresistible lure for golfers, hikers and endless sightseers.
CasaBlanca Golf Club
This may be a desert course, but don't expect to find stranded golfers holding out canteens and hallucinating mirages. That's because no less than 13 of the 18 holes as CasaBlanca have water on them, which in addition to challenging golfers, provides a habitable wetland for the desert fowl. The Cal Olsen designed course meanders naturally through and around the Virgin River, and is accommodating to golfers of all skill levels, with its modestly sloping mounds and fairways and five sets of tee markers. The signature hole at Casa Blanca in number 17, which is a lengthy par-four requiring a [precise tee shot and an equally accurate long-iron second to a green which narrows in the front. Par-shooters won't stop smiling all the way to the 18th tee. CasaBlanca also has an attractive new clubhouse and electric carts.
PHONE: 1-888-711-GOLF
WEBSITE: www.casablancaresort.com
ADDRESS: Off I-15 at exit 120
STATS: 18 holes, par 72, 7,011 yards
RESERVATIONS: Guests may make reservations up to 60 days in advance, and groups may make reservations up to a year in advance. Special rates are also available.
RATES: Are seasonal and varying rates are available for resort guests, non-hotel guests, residents of Clark and Washington counties, groups and get-away packages.
Palms Golf Club
The Palms was the first course built in Mesquite and gets credit for igniting the fuse that created the golf explosion here. Set amidst a desert landscape of sagebrush and tumble weeds, the course offers an island of palm trees and lush green fairways with a number of daunting water hazards. The Palms provides golfers with two contrasting nines: the front nine has fairly flat wide fairways with small lakes providing a precision challenge. The back nine takes full advantage of dramatic elevation changes, offering incredible vistas, but the serendipity must be occasionally interrupted by forced carries over unforgiving canyons. Most memorable is the 507-yard 15th hole, a par-five that presents a 114-foot drop to the fairway below.
PHONE: 1-888-711-GOLF
WEBSITE: www.oasisresort.com
ADDRESS: Off I-15 as exit 122
STATS: 18 holes, par 72, 7,022 yards
RESERVATIONS: Owned by Oasis Resort, hotel guests can make golf reservations 60 days in advance; non-guests can make reservations 14 days in advance.
RATES: Seasonal. Call for details.
The Palmer course at the Oasis Golf Club
Golfers playing the Palmer won't be surprised to hear that his challenging and scenic wonder was created by Arnold Palmer. And the best advice is vintage Arnie: hitch up your trousers – or skirt—and go for it. The Palmer has several elevated tee boxes with dramatic shots to slot canyon fairways that meander through the foothills surrounding northern Mesquite. The narrow fairways are accented with many bunkers, water hazards, and undulations that leave the golfer with few level lies. But nothing looks of feels artificial here as Palmer used the natural landscape to provide all the drama. The 363-yard sixth hole is representative: the green is set deep within a box canyon that looms over all approach shots. And only the brave need venture to the back tee at the 517-yard eighth hole, which requires a 250-yard drive to clear rugged country.
PHONE: 1-888-367-3386
WEBSITE: www.theoasisgolfclub.com
ADDRESS: Off I-15 at exit 122, 100 Palmer Lane
STATS: 18 holes, par 71, 6,633 yards
RESERVATIONS: Owned by the Oasis Golf Club. Golfers can make tee times 60 days in advance.
RATES: Seasonal. Call for details.
The Canyons course at the Oasis Golf Club
The Canyons course is 18-holes of spectacular golf, designed to compliment the already challenging and scenic Palmer course. This is a rugged, meticulously designed course, complimenting the character and charm of its natural setting. The large fairways and Bermuda greens make the course player friendly and a refreshing change of pace.
PHONE: 1-888-367-3386
WEBSITE: www.theoasisgolfclub.com
ADDRESS: Off I-15 at exit 122, 100 Palmer Lane
STATS: 18 holes, par 71, 6,533 yards
RESERVATIONS: Owned by the Oasis Golf Club. Golfers can make tee times 60 days in advance.
RATES: Seasonal. Call for details.
Wolf Creek at Paradise Canyon
The jewel in the Mesquite Crown of golfing excellence is Wolf Creek, which was named by Golf Digest as one of the top upscale public courses in the United States. Wolf Creek honors the canyon country it inhabits, with fairways which wind naturally like ribbons of green through the brown rock walls to the north of town. Its slope rating of 154 from the very back tee placements is just one point from the maximum rating ever given by the U.S. Golf Association. But developers didn't want to exclude any level golfer from the magnificent vistas that are offered on every too shot, so they built five separate tee placements and encourage every golfer to consult with the starter before choosing which too to play. With huge elevation drops, beautifully placed lakes and creeks, greens and fairways that are neatly clipped, Wolf Creek has enhanced the reputation of the entire Mesquite area.
PHONE: 1-866-252-4653
WEBSITE: www.golfwolfcreek.com
ADDRESS: Off I-15 at exit 122, 403 Paradise Parkway
STATS: 18 holes, par 72, 6,436 yards
RESERVATIONS/RATES: Call for seasonal rates and reservations.
Falcon Ridge
Falcon Ridge Golf Course is woven through the hills and valleys, giving one a feeling of a high desert golf course. Playability is at a premium at Falcon Ridge. Having multiple tee boxes, it will meet the need of every golfer. The course is set up to give everyone a blend of pure simplicity, spectacular views and demanding holes.
PHONE: 1-877-777-GOLF
WEBSITE: www.golffalcon.com
ADDRESS: 345 Calais Drive
STATS: 18 holes
RESERVATIONS/RATES: Seasonal, call for rates.
Coyote Willows
Coyote Willows suffered the loss of four holes in the 2005 flood and is currently a five-hole course. Rebuild of the other four holes is set to be completed this year.
PHONE: 1.866.840.2085; 702.345.5161
Address: 490 Hagens Alley
STATS: 5 holes
RATES: $20 for locals (10 holes); $25 for non-residents.
Conestoga
Conestoga Golf Club, situated in Pulte/Del Webb's newest Anthem community, will be a beautiful par 72-championship golf course measuring nearly 7200 yards. Designed by Gary Panks, the course offers multiple breath-taking views throughout and over 200 feet of elevation change. The course is slated to open in late 2009 or early 2010.