What beats the crisp feel of clean crisp air and the breath-taking view of a lush green golf course? Not much, especially when it’s winter time and the grass is still dirt brown and sprinkled with snow.
For us sufferers of the inevitable extended winter, thank heavens we at least have Mesquite, NV—probably the most underrated shoulder-season golf Mecca in the West.
Mesquite is rapidly emerging as a major golfing destination. The dramatic Virgin Mountain foothills cradle five different golf courses, each offering a unique playing experience. So pack your clubs and reserve a tee time. Find the course to match your skill level.
Casablanca Golf Club
866-401-6022
The Cal Olsen-designed CasaBlanca Golf Club lies etched into the wetlands of the Mesquite Valley. This beautiful course winds in and out of the Virgin River basin offering a new experience on every tee. Five sets of tees allow golfers of all skill levels a fair chance on this championship golf course, which annually hosts the Nevada Open. Par 72. Golf packages are available with the CasaBlanca Resort. Improve your game at the Casablanca Golf Academy.
Falcon Ridge
877-270-4653
One of the newest addition to the Mesquite golf scene, Falcon Ridge winds through the hills and canyons of Northwest Mesquite. This 6546 yard par 71 desert layout boasts some beautiful landscapes. Spectacular elevation changes, numerous water features and high mesa views along with a track that is playable for all classes.
The Oasis Golf Club
888-367-3386
The Oasis Golf Club features two 18-hole courses, The Palmer course and The Canyons course. The Arnold Palmer-designed Palmer course was rated among the top 10 public courses by Golf Digest. The Palmer course features home to five sets of tees set among scenic desert panoramas. Rugged canyon fairways and contoured greens make this one of Palmer's most distinctive designs. The Canyons, designed by Palmer's team, features the same canyon fairways and spectacular desert scenery. Palmer is a 6,633 yard,(par 71, rating 71.7, slope 133) course. Canyons is 6,408 yard, (par 71, rating 71.3, slope 129) course. Lessons available.
Palms Golf Club
866-401-6020
A challenge for all levels of players, the Palms championship course in Mesquite features lakes, sand traps and more than 200 palm trees, the 6804 yard, park 72 is a challenge for golfers of all levels. The front nine offers extended fairways and plenty of water features, while the mountainous back nine has dramatic elevation changes and emphasizes shot placement. The 15th hole has a breathtaking view and vertical drop of 114 feet from the tee to the fairway. Golf packages are available with the Oasis Resort & Casino.
Wolf Creek Golf Club
866-252-4653
North Central Nevada
Plan now for an early ’10 getaway to Elko
By air, southern Nevada is just a cat nap away. By car, it can be a little more daunting. While a half- to full-day road trip makes perfect sense to escape the dreadful snow, it’s only natural to pick out some closer destinations when the white stuff recedes.
That’s where North Central Nevada comes in. With Reno to the west and Mesquite, Vegas and Laughlin to the south, it’s easy to overlook some truly great tracks in comfy tourist-friendly towns like Elko.
This region does not have a huge number of courses (yet), but the Elko-Spring Creek area alone has two great tracks: Ruby View and Spring Creek.
Closing in on its 40th birthday, Ruby is well known by Nevada golfers for its long, rolling fairways lined with monstrous trees and huge, bunker-flanked putting surfaces. Although the track has a moderate slope of 117, it pushes 7000 yards from the back deck, so don’t forget to bring your long game with you. This 18-hole course should be open from March to November. (Just an interesting side note: According to Nevada Magazine, Tony Lema was head pro here in 1957.) Rates run from $21 to $26. Call 775-777-7277 for more information.
Compared to Ruby, Spring Creek is all about target golf. Throughout its 6,640-yard length, it offers narrow fairways, sagebrush rough, and plenty of medium size, turtle-back greens to test your nerve and skill. Accuracy off the tee is an absolute must here. This par 71, 18-hole course was established in 1972, and is now a fully mature testament to great golf in northern Nevada. Call 775-753-6331 for tee times. (Full round rates run about $25.)