MESQUITE DESTINATION GUIDE

Mesquite, Nev.:
Desert golf the
way it should be

(Sept. 7, 2005) - The explosive popularity of Las Vegas long ago spilled to its outlying areas of Nevada. The town of Mesquite, just 80 miles north of Sin City has been a town eagerly picking up some of the Vegas run-off, as it has become a resort town of its own.

Mesquite itself is the epitome of a persistent Western town. Unfortunately, early attempts at irrigation failed dramatically after flash floods wiped away most of the town. It took a couple more efforts to rebuild, but by the early 1900s, Mesquite rode raisin farming to become a town that was able to stand on its own.

Like much of that part of the West Coast, however, prosperity came with a road - in this case, Interstate-15. The I-15 made Mesquite an actual destination for travelers, and the 1980s and 90s saw land developers and casinos come to town.

With the resorts came the golf courses. While not a town packed tee-to-green with courses, Mesquite has now put itself on the map for tourists who like to bring their clubs along.

Mesquite golf courses

Being a desert area, golf-course designers could have been somewhat limited in their choices for course creation. In Mesquite, however, splicing the harsh desert landscape with a golfer's haven is par for the course, and perhaps none does it better than the Wolf Creek Golf Club, which came into being in 1999.

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"I didn't need to have the plans on paper. I'd lay awake at night and design the course in my head," said designer Dennis Rider.

As it turns out, Rider had quite a course set up in his head. With postcard settings of the untamed Mesquite landscape, Wolf Creek gives golfers a roller-coaster ride. From dramatic elevation changes, to the par-3 No. 8 which will take your breath away, to some imposing par 5s, the course is one to experience, rather than just play.

Of course, the 98 bunkers you'll have to try and sneak by will force you to bring your game, though Rider showed a soft side by filling the bunkers with crushed granite. Don't give Rider too much credit for being a softy, however, as Wolf Creek is ranked by the USGA as the third-hardest course in America. Green fees will be in the $75-$100 area depending on the season, and you can find deals at their Web site.

At the Oasis Golf Club, the Palmer Course (formerly known as the Oasis) has been a hit since opening its fairways in the 1990s and has been rated as one of the "top 10 course you can play" by Golf Digest. Of course, it very well could play you with its narrow fairways and 141 slope rating.

It may not look like much from an aerial view, but the rugged course gives golfers unacquainted with desert golf a crash course. The elevated tee box on the par-5 eighth hole gives players not only a good driving hole, but also a panoramic view of the course and surrounding area.

Readying itself to become the first resort in Mesquite to offer 36 holes, the club is preparing to open the Canyons (formerly Vista) Course fulltime in October. Currently playing as a nine-holer, the course is another Palmer-Seay design. While built into the same canyon-esque setting, Canyon looks to be a place to find some of the pars and birdies you left over at the tougher Palmer. Rates for the two courses are in the $50-$75 area.

The CasaBlanca Golf Club features a Cal Olson-designed, 7,011-yard course designed by Cal Olson that will show golfers that, yes, water can come into play in the desert. Surrounded by the Virgin River Mountains, CasaBlanca tours through natural desert wetlands for an eye-catching experience.

The Par-3 No. 16 should give players some quality "which-club-should-I-use" time, as you'll be forced top carry a huge pond and stream to attack a green fully protected by a large bunker to the front and desert wasteland to the back.

The course checks in with a maximum slope rating of 131, and green fees top out at $120 during peak seasons, though the course is normally available from the $85-$100 range, with guests at the CasaBlanca resort getting a discount.

The Palms Golf Course bills itself as "Nine holes of beauty followed by nine holes of sheer terror." If that doesn't get a golfer's adrenaline going, maybe you need a new hobby. The best thing is, it's not just hype.

After a pleasant opening nine that will placate you with its open fairways and flat lies, the back nine will give you more elevation changes than a trampoline and fairways that require precision instruments to hit consistently.

The oldest course in Mesquite, the Palms is generous in its tee settings, at least - 7,008 yards from the back markers, 6,284 from the whites, and 5,106 from the reds.

Falcon Ridge Golf Course is the newest addition to Mesquite's golfing landscape. The course opened in 2004 and the Kelby Hughes design has been getting raves since. Playing at just 6,546 yards from the tips, it's more of a shot maker's course, with water, bunkers and dramatic elevation changes to occupy a player.

Green fees will run from $45 to $100 depending on when you play, and Falcon Ridge does nothing to take away from the general desert theme of Mesquite courses.

Where to Stay

CasaBlanca Hotel/Casino/Golf/Spa
950 W. Mesquite Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-7529

Eureka Casino Hotel
275 Mesa Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-4600

Oasis Resort Casino Golf Spa
897 W Mesquite Blvd Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-5232

Virgin River Hotel/Casino
100 Pioneer Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-7777
(800) 346-7721

Local Restaurants

Katherine's
CasaBlanca Hotel
950 W. Mesquite Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027

Chuck Wagon Restaurant
Virgin River Hotel Casino
100 Pioneer Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-7777

Tumbleweed Café
Eureka Casino Hotel
275 Mesa Boulevard
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-4600

Fast Fact

Since the I-15 opened up Mesquite to travelers, the population has exploded from less than 2,000 to nearly 20,000 full-time residents, making it the fastest-growing city in Nevada.

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.