how exactly is it a failure? I'm not sure I see it as a failure. Many course have problems keeping transplanted trees, whether the course is in Nevada or Florida. Its just a fact. And perhaps the best grasses weren't used. (best for the time maybe, but maybe now a better grass exists) The poor conditioning recently might possibly be that since they know they are closing (if they are closing) it was decided to cut down on expenditures in the months leading up to the closure in order to maximize the staff hours that can be used on the renovation process prior to closing. Just some ideas
JKM, I don't want to across as some snobby arch critic, but I will quote a couple of other GA architects:
".....no matter how skillfully one may lay out the holes and diversify them, nevertheless one must get the thrill of nature. She must be big in moldings for us to secure the complete exhilaration and joy of golf. THE MADE COURSE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE NATURAL ONE."- George C. Thomas, Jr.
"No reason exists why a golf course should not decorate the landscape rather than disfigure it."- Simpson and Wethered
Competing with nature rather than complimenting it will more times than not lead to failure. The engineering prowess of Fazio cannot be disputed, but I wonder if Fazio had designed something more harmonious with the Vegas landscape that the demise of the course (if that is what is in fact happening) could have been averted.