FEATURE STORY

Las Vegas Invitational
turns magical 21

By Murray Anderson,
Contributor

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2003) -- The No. 21 is an important number in this town - especially in the game of blackjack. And this year the PGA's annual stop in Sin City, the Las Vegas Invitational, is turning 21 as well.

The Las Vegas Invitational has played host to the biggest names in golf and this year will be no different when the tourney gets under way Oct. 8 at three courses in Southern Nevada. For an end of the season event, in fact, this tournament will have an unusually star-studded lineup.

Three-time Las Vegas Invitational champ and current U.S. Open title holder Jim Furyk will tee it up for the five-day event as will 2002 PGA champion Rich Beem and reigning British Open champ Ben Curtis. Late entries Phil Mickelson will be there along with Sergio Garcia.

. Feature:Beware the cost of getting to the course in Las Vegas • Top 20 golf courses in Las Vegas • Ten most scenic holes in Las Vegas • Profile: Ben Curtis

"We didn't make a big deal out of the 20th anniversary last year, and we probably won't make a big deal out of 25, but 21 is an important number in this town," said Charlie Baron, the tournament's manager for the last 19 years. "There are a lot of things in this town centered around 21 so we're trying to tie that in with the golf tournament."

For the past three years the tournament was the Invensys Classic but this year, with no title sponsor, the Las Vegas Founders Club, a group of business leaders that started in 1982, is running the event, with help from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Howard Hughes Corp.

The first three days of the tournament, Oct. 8-10, will be played at three locations -- the two Tournament Players clubs, Summerlin and The Canyons, and Southern Highlands. The first three days will also have a pro-am format with three amateur golfers teaming up with one professional.

The final 36 holes of the event, Oct. 11 and 12, will be at the tournament headquarters, TPC Summerlin.

While the three days of play with amateurs are reportedly one reason why some of the PGA's biggest names don't like playing in Las Vegas, Baron said plenty of recognizable names will be in town.

"We are going to have an exceptional field," Baron said. "We're probably going to have 20 of the top 30 players in this field."

The purse is $4 million with the winner pocketing $720,000.

Baron's top memory from the tournament is when a young man named Tiger Woods won his first ever PGA event. Woods won the Las Vegas event when he beat Davis Love III in a 1996 playoff. Both men carded 28-under for the five-day event and Woods went on to win the first playoff hole.

Baron said his other top memory of the LVI's history is when Chip Beck carded a 59 in 1991. Beck, then only the second player to card a 59 in a tour event, set the mark at the Sunrise Country Club, now Stallion Mountain, and received a $1 million bonus.

Play where the pros play

If you've ever wanted to play where the pros play, TPC at The Canyons gives average golfers the opportunity. The Canyons is the only one of the three courses used in the LVI to permit public play. TPC Summerlin and Southern Highlands are private tracks.

"That's really one of the great advantages we have here," said Dan Hammell, general manager and director of golf at the Canyons. "If you come out and want to play where the pros play, the only place you can do it is going to be at the Canyons."

But be prepared for a tough round if you're struggling, because the Canyons features desert terrain and forced carries that can cause a high handicapper's knees to knock.

The Canyons measures anywhere from 5,039 yards to 7,063 yards depending on what set of tees are used.

Hole No. 2 is one of those intimidating looking holes from the tee box. The 196-yard par-3 takes aim at an island-type green surrounded by nothing but desert. Come up right of the green and you're in a bunker, if you're short your ball will join the dirt and cactuses, and the same goes for any ball that is long or left.

"There are definitely some shots out there that are pretty target oriented," Hammell said. "You're going to have to think your way through the round."

Nos. 13 and 14 can jangle your nerves on the tee box as the only thing you see as you get ready for that first shot is a directional rock on either hole, indicating where the fairways are.

No. 13 is a 423-yard par 4 that requires an accurate tee shot for any chance at par. So hit the tee shot left of the rock and par is a possibility; anything right of the rock is out of play. Four bunkers guard both sides of the green for stray second shots.

No. 14, a 365-yard par 4, offers the same problem. But just on the other side of the directional rock is a bunker and a little farther down on the right is a second fairway bunker.

Stay left on No. 14 and you'll be in fine shape for a good score. Go right off the tee box and prepare to take that second ball out of your pocket and tee it up again.

A full-service practice facility is available at the Canyons and the Grille at the Canyons is a full-service restaurant and bar that is on site to satisfy any hunger before or after the round.

Tournament Players Club at the Canyons
9851 Canyon Run Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89144
1-866-457-0062(702-577-2220)

Where to stay

There are fewer options for staying in Summerlin, an upscale suburban area, than along the Las Vegas Strip. But here are two of them.

Courtyard By Marriott Las Vegas Summerlin
1901 N. Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89108 US

JW Marriott Las Vegas
221 N. Rampart Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89128
1-866-457-0062(702-577-2220)

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.