COURSE REVIEW

Hometown spirit, value
on the course: we're
talking about Vegas?

By Brandon Tucker,
Senior Writer

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (June 28, 2005) - Gaudy hotels and slot machines in grocery stores: At first glance, Las Vegas doesn't exactly give off a neighborhood, family-friendly aura.

But Rhodes Ranch, 15 minutes southwest of the glitz is on a different kind of mission. The 5,000-home master-planned community is aimed at providing a slice of hometown the city built on out-of-towner losses.

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Feel-good, mama’s cookin’ talk aside, frankly it would just be bad business not to pander at least a little to the herds of tourists who come to the desert looking for excitement and a little golf, which is why packages are available with strip hotels and web specials can be found frequently.

The centerpiece of the development is the 162-acre golf course, which offers a fantastic round at one of the most reasonable prices you'll find.

"We took a look at the industry and decided we were going to give a good product for a good price," said Matthew Grobe, Rhodes Ranch's head golf professional. "What's happened here is we've created a good golf course that still offers something for the locals."

Architect Ted Robinson had some favorable features in mind when he built Rhodes Ranch, like basic par 4s and par 5s with wide-open fairways and mounds that might keep a stray ball in play.

The group of par 3s is the designer's favorite to date and are probably the most challenging characteristic of Rhodes Ranch. Three out of four brings water into play and the dry one, the long and has a bunker waiting behind the green for any shots that come in hot. To boot, the shortest of the bunch, the 14th, plays 191 yards.

Rhodes Ranch has another resort-style trait: mounded fairways that forgive slight mis-hits and kick back into position A.

"On the par-4s and 5s you will have some very makeable shots," Grobe said. "If you hit it in the rough here you're never out of the hole. The ball might hit a mound and roll back to the fairway or stick on the mound. You won't get yourself too far out of line. A bad shot doesn't get really bad."

The rough isn't much of a concern at Rhodes Ranch however. The eye candy, complete artificial water features will deter you for a moment from long waits on the tee. More than 3,000 palm trees line the fairways and the tropical setting features waterfalls, creeks and a even few rabbits scurrying across your line. Compared to the city, Rhodes Ranch is pleasantly tranquil.

Views off each tee box are incredible and an added bonus is on almost every tee there is a mountain peak or a "V" shape to use as your target line.

"If you move to the back tees the course measures 6,900 yards and will challenge even the scratch golfer," Grobe said. "But the course is not going to kill the average or even bad golfer. You'll leave here feeling good about your round."

Rhodes Ranch offers summer clinics for golfers looking to improve their game and six qualified instructors are putting together a series of summertime clinics.

"We're about 60 percent locals and 40 percent tourists, so we try to put together something that the local golfer will be interested in," said Grobe. "We realize a tourist isn't coming here for a golf lesson but the locals really seem to enjoy it when we offer some teaching."

Originally opened in 1997, Rhodes Ranch has been matured for several years now and the course, especially during peak season is in exceptional condition tee to green.

Nearly 300 locals and tourists alike hit the course so if you can't stay away from the tables more than five hours consider finding somewhere in town less crowded.

From McCarran International Airport Exit onto Interstate 215 West and continue to Durango exit (Durango exit is just beyond "Freeway ends" sign and just past Rainbow Boulevard). Turn left on Durango and continue about two miles to Rhodes Ranch entry gate on right side of street. From Las Vegas Strip Take Interstate 15 South to Interstate 215 West. Continue on Interstate 215 to Durango exit. Turn left on Durango and continue about two miles to Rhodes Ranch entry gate on right side of street.

Dining

Rhodes Ranch restaurant offers a complete menu for golfers before or after their round. Breakfast and lunch are offered and dinner can be arranged for special events. Try the steak burrito after a morning round.

Also offered is a full-scale barbecue at the turn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, cold beverages, and everything else is needed to feed the foursome without much delay is available.

Memberships

Rhodes Ranch offers a platinum membership that ranges anywhere, depending on family size and the amount of play desired.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.