[Steve_ Shaffer]

Walters land deal called good one for Las Vegas
Independent study commissioned by the Sun shows taxpayers would gain up to $38 million and Bill Walters would get $12.2 million if Royal Links Golf Club is allowed to become a residential development

Here's the link to the article:

www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/business/2006/feb/19/566663032.html

[Billsteele]

Two things I find amazing about this. First, Walters purchased the land in 1999 for $5600 an acre and got another sweetheart deal on the water costs associated with the property. Second, the initial sale was approved by the city of Las Vegas with a "permanent" deed restriction that the property could only be used as a golf course. Regardless of the merits of the course (some I know who have played it loved it, some hated it), didn't anybody see this coming. By my calculations, even with Walters only making $12.2 million on the sale of the property, he gets a roughly 13 times return on his initial investment. No wonder what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

[Matt_Ward]

Steve:

If ever there was a course that won't be missed it's Royal Links. It's because of these fake type courses that a number of the better designs in and around Vegas often get panned as being nothing more than golf-lite.

I can only hope the PGA of America's efforts with Coyote Springs will be more forthcoming.

[Joel_Stewart]

Personally I liked Royal Links minus the castle clubhouse and the caddies with the Augusta outfits.

As for Walters, he has never lost a lawsuit or a petition in front of the zoning commission (something close to 30-0) in Las Vegas.  This guy is the ultimate insider and Mr. Fix.

[Jason Blasberg]

Steve:

If ever there was a course that won't be missed it's Royal Links. It's because of these fake type courses that a number of the better designs in and around Vegas often get panned as being nothing more than golf-lite.

Matt:

I'm heading out to Vegas for a few days the first week of March, beside Shadow Creek, what would you recommend?  

Thanks,

Jason

Everyone else:

Same question.

[Craig Van Egmond]

I must admit that the Royal Links was one of my few guilty pleasure golf courses, a course that I should hate but I had so much fun the one time I played it. Yea, it was way overpriced and somewhat silly, but I enjoyed it.

Still, it won't be any great loss to golf.

Jason,

         I can't speak for the private venues, but the 3 courses at Paiute are all very cool (the Wolf course can be a brute), both of the Primm Valley courses are worthy as well.  I also enjoyed Reflection Bay.  

[jg7236]

I can't wait to see this course go.

[David Kelly]

Will they blow it up on television like they do when they get rid of the old casino properties? If so I volunteer to push the detonator button.

[Matt_Ward]

Jason:

The "greater" Vegas area for me includes such places as Mesquite which is roughly 75-80 miles northeast of town. I really like Wolf Creek at Paradise Canyon because it eptimizes the modern style of "quirk" that I can appreciate. The hold-your-nose blue-blood crowd here on GCA has simply failed to see what the course does offer minus the hilarious cart rides you can have when there.

If you are looking for a good bargain close to town try Boulder Creek in Boulder City. There's 27 holes there and it's quite good and very affordable. It also gives you a good reason to stop by and see Hoover Dam.

If you are in the immediate area I would also recommend Paiute's Wolf Course -- although the island green hole is simply a big time joke. It's simply Pete trying to outdo the original hole in Florida and there's no need in the high desert terrain. The rest of the course is quite good -- try to play it in the AM though because when the wind gets going all best are off in terms of score / fun.

I also like Southern Dunes which is private but it's worth a play if you can. I like it better than Shadow Creek, Cascata and Rio Seco, which IMHO are all deficient in one way or the other. Arguably, one of the best RTJ Jr layouts I have played -- I'd put it right alongside with the likes of Corde Valle in the San Jose area.

If you head west of town try Primm Valley's Desert Course. I think it's a very good Tom Fazio layout although others like the sister Palm Course.

If you want to play at Lake Las Vegas -- play either the private Nicklaus layout or the Nicklaus public (Reflection Bay) one along the Lake. The Weiskopf course (Falls) is just over-the-top with holes resembling ski slopes on the backside. Weiskopf has done much better than what you find there.

For additional bargains don't hesitate to drive a bit further beyond Mesquite to the area of St. George, UT. I understand another new course will open this spring and the early words I have heard from a few good sources is that it is beyond the likes of Coral Canyon and Entrada -- the two more noted layouts in the area.

[peter_p]

Matt's last paragraph probably refers to the Ledges GC, by world renowned architect Matt Dye.  
http://www.utahsdixie.com/theledges.html

[jg7236]

Matt,

Where is Southern Dunes?  Is this an old course with a new name?  Are you thinking of RTJ Jr./RTJ Senior's Southern Highlands?

[Matt_Ward]

John:

Mea culpa -- the senior moments are coming faster and faster.

Yes, the name of the course is Southern Highlands and it's a well done RTJ Jr. layout. Often gets little attention with all the hoopla that Shadow Creek, Cascata and Rio Seco pull down.

I think it's better than any of those for a variety of different reasons.

Gents:

Be interested in anyone who has played or seen the grounds for the new Ledges course in St. George.

[Mike_Sweeney]

I must admit that the Royal Links was one of my few guilty pleasure golf courses, a course that I should hate but I had so much fun the one time I played it. Yea, it was way overpriced and somewhat silly, but I enjoyed it.

Craig,

You are not alone.  

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