Golf in Las Vegas, and a whole lot more - kicking off my blog

Welcome to my LasVegasGolf.com golf blog.

My editors and bosses here wanted me to write an introductory posting explaining what I’ll be doing here and who I am as a golfer.

Since I’m an 18-year resident of Las Vegas, I have played every golf course in town. Yes, even Shadow Creek and The Wynn. So, I’ll be giving you my impressions of these courses - along with the folks who play with me.

Those playing partners will vary. You might read a posting about a local business person or even a well-known celebrity. You will also hear about my knucklehead friends: Jake The Weasel; Coach Sal; and King Zog. And you will also hear from Joey Pivey, the Iraqi War veteran who lost both legs and an arm in an attack and is back playing golf, shooting in the 90s.

Some of the golf celebrities include my long-time friend John O’Hurley, recent star of Spamalot at The Wynn; he hosted me at The Wynn course. You’ll also be reading about my golf round with Gary Mule Deer, comedian and singer, who enjoyed a little fishing while we played Siena Golf Club. Like Gary, a lot of comic friends want to hit the little white ball between gigs.

But I won’t limit our golf to Las Vegas. I recently played Valhalla, the site of this year’s Ryder Cup. I’ve also played the K Club in Ireland, the site of the 2006 Ryder Cup. I’m fortunate enough to have traveled to those places. I’ll do my best to bring me with you - either through my words, video, or an actual travel package where you will join me personally.

As far as me as a golfer? Well, I could give you the normal stuff: 6.9 handicap; average off the tee; and decent short game.

An Irishman once told me after a round on the Emerald Isle, “John, you’re scratch around the greens, but you’re a 36 off the tee.” However, that was before being fitted for my Nike driver at the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic.

I could get even more specific about my game. I’ve been prone to tell people, “My ball flight is like my TV appearances - low and boring.” That’s more a testament to playing in the wind of Las Vegas. And that shot shape may change, too, as I proceed with my lessons with GolfTEC - which will be posted on this site as well.

But how do I really explain me as a golfer? Sure, most of you know me as the host of Real TV, a news anchor, political blogger and author. Some of you may even be clients of mine in wealth management. (I’m thinking of writing a post comparing a retirement plan to reading putts.)

This goes without saying really. Those of you who have met me on the golf course or at celebrity golf events know that I am not that John Daly. (In fact, I’ll have an entire posting on Big John very soon.)

You may also know that I’ve anchored teams that won a few celebrity events. I even won the Frank Sinatra Shoot-Out with supermodel Beverly Johnson. The event, aired on the Golf Channel, concluded with a chip-off before we beat Kevin Sorbo and Robert Loggia. Imagine staring down those two.

For those of you who have played in a foursome with me more than once, you know that the coach in my head is Bobby Knight. I have a tendency to scream and throw chairs at myself. I’m quite competitive with myself.

But the best way to explain who I am as a golfer is to tell you about my first month of marriage with my wife Teri. I told her I was playing golf and she had two choices. First, she could go take lessons and learn the game and play with me. Or two, she would not complain when I’m gone for six hours at a time.

She’s as avid a golfer as I am - 23 years later.