FEATURE STORY

Test your computer golf game skills in the World Golf Tour's LasVegasGolf.com Challenge

By Mike Bailey,
Senior Writer

A quick round in the LasVegasGolf.com Challenge online golf game on the virtual Bali Hai Golf Club could bring you fantastic prizes.

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LAS VEGAS - You're sitting in front of your computer reading this story, so obviously you've got a few minutes to kill. Why not have a little fun and perhaps win a prize in the process?

Sign up for the LasVegasGolf.com Challenge, a nine-hole virtual golf skills challenge tournament sponsored by LasVegasGolf.com and the World Golf Tour.

Entering the tournament, running through the end of March, is free, and it doesn't take long to register and play. Plus, players have a chance to win one of six Visa gift cards embossed with the LasVegasGolf.com logo and credited with $100 for first place.

The LasVegasGolf.com Challenge is a nine-hole, closest-to-the-pin competition being staged at Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas. Not the real Bali Hai golf course, mind you, but a virtual Bali Hai compiled from thousands of high-definition photographs of the real course that you play on your computer.

On each hole, contestants hit a virtual shot from a set distance. The closer the shot, the lower the score. Those with the lowest scores make it to the leaderboard, accessible from the WGT.com Web site.

You can play as many times as you want before the end of the month. Only your lowest score counts. Beware, though: WGT golf is addicting, so don't get caught playing at the office.

Just for participating in the tournament, players can get discounts on real rounds on Las Vegas golf courses at LasVegasGolf.com.

"LasVegasGolf.com is excited to sponsor the 'LasVegasGolf.com Challenge' with the World Golf Tour, the world's most authentic online golf experience," said John DeMarco, managing director of LasVegasGolf.com. "Players of all levels can compete for multiple prizes, and all players will receive valuable discounts when visiting and booking golf packages at LasVegasGolf.com."

There are two tiers - Hack and Amateur - so even a computer golf novice has a shot in the Hack division.

Learning to play is actually fairly easy. There are tutorial links on the Web site to YouTube videos with instruction on how to hit the ball, what club to choose and other helpful hints.

World Golf Tour's other events

Once registered, players can also sign up to play other tournaments on the Web site. Most are free nine-hole stroke play events, but some, with more significant prizes, do require small entry fees. Players can also upgrade their clubs online for better performances.

The creators of the World Golf Tour, who launched the San Francisco company's Beta version in October 2008, tried to make it as much like real golf as possible.

"What we're all about is creating the most realistic golf game on the Internet," said Lincoln Silver, vice president of Internet marketing for World Golf Tour Inc. "It's console-quality golf right from your browser."

The World Golf Tour is also set up so players can join friends across the world in foursomes, send replays of their best shots and generally network with others with the same interests.

So what are you waiting for? Get off the couch and play some golf computer style.

March 20, 2009

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.