Rio Secco

[Jason Topp]

I have never played the course but it sure looked goofy from that 3 Tour event televised over the weekend:

1.  Very narrow with shots in the desert finishing next to rocks

2.  Strange mowing patterns - on many holes good tee shots wound up in areas where the fairway had ended.  There seemed to be several holes where only rough existed at the location of a good drive

3.  The greens were severely sloped but with apparently very simple contours.  They also seemed too fast for their slope.  Players scored fairly well but it appeared that many pins were placed in bowls to encourage scoring.

What do people who have played the course think of it?

[Tom Huckaby]

I played it in November.

I think every word you just stated is 100% correct and very astute. About point 3 - we got some "non-bowl" pins and let's just say those do NOT encourage scoring.

All in all a very dramatic golf course, but pretty goofy.  I'd play it again (primarily because there are no courses I wouldn't say that for) but I would NOT pay top dollar to do so.

[Mac Plumart]

For what it is worth, Rio Secco ranks as the second biggest disappointment of my golfing career. 

I have zero desire to ever play it again.

You are spot on concerning your observation!

[Bill_McBride]

For what it is worth, Rio Secco ranks as the second biggest disappointment of my golfing career. 

I have zero desire to ever play it again.

You are spot on concerning your observation!

So Mac, what was the biggest disappointment?  Sorry to thread jack but that's an interesting statement!

And welcome back to America's Guest, Thomas Huckaby!

[John Mayhugh]

Good analysis Jason.  I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

The highlight of a Rio Secco round are the views of the Strip.  Like Tom Huckaby said, I might play it again, but only if the price were right.

[Mac Plumart]

Bill...

I felt it was long for the sake of being long.  Given the ball carries so much in Vegas, it wasn't an issue to score well due to the length...but it just made the lengthy shots repetitive and boring.

The greens were dull and boring.  I like the undulating greens and these weren't that.

In general the holes lack interest and intrigue.

It seemed like a PGA Tour starter course.  Set up for the long hitter playing the latest driver and the hottest ball.  Not set up for the architectural geek, looking for interesting nuances.  In fact, as I type this I think that is exactly what it is.  Butch Harmon's school is there and he trains the pros on this course.  Given this, I think you can see why I wasn't thrilled with it.

But perhaps someone who likes smashing ball with very little thought/strategy might like it.  To each their own, right?

[Bill_McBride]

Bill...

I felt it was long for the sake of being long.  Given the ball carries so much in Vegas, it wasn't an issue to score well due to the length...but it just made the lengthy shots repetitive and boring.

The greens were dull and boring.  I like the undulating greens and these weren't that.

In general the holes lack interest and intrigue.

It seemed like a PGA Tour starter course.  Set up for the long hitter playing the latest driver and the hottest ball.  Not set up for the architectural geek, looking for interesting nuances.  In fact, as I type this I think that is exactly what it is.  Butch Harmon's school is there and he trains the pros on this course.  Given this, I think you can see why I wasn't thrilled with it.

But perhaps someone who likes smashing ball with very little thought/strategy might like it.  To each their own, right?

'Sorry - you said Rio Secco was the second biggest disappointment - I was wondering what was the biggest?

[Sean Leary]

I have played it and thought it was decent. Seem to remember a few holes early in the canyons that were striking, but I don't remember much about the golf course.

Go if comped.

[Tom Yost]

1.  Very narrow with shots in the desert finishing next to rocks

For once, I was able to relate to some of the shots I was seeing on televised golf.     

[David Kelly]

I have played it and thought it was decent. Seem to remember a few holes early in the canyons that were striking, but I don't remember much about the golf course.

Go if comped.

We were comped but I still don't want to play it again.

In 2000 Dan Jenkins put the 2nd hole at Rio Secco in his modern best 18 holes in the US believe it or not.

[John Mayhugh]

In 2000 Dan Jenkins put the 2nd hole at Rio Secco in his modern best 18 holes in the US believe it or not.

Seriously??  Perhaps he likes the view of the Strip from the tee.



The hole map from their website barely reveals the brilliant trough-like shaping. 

[Tim Gavrich]

Lame.

If Myrtle Beach is K-Mart-by-the-Sea (a designation I don't really agree with but is sorta catchy anyhow), is Las Vegas K-Mart-in-the-Desert?

[Matt_Ward]

Rio Seco is an empty suit from a design side of things. Quite agree with the comments posted by many here.

There are other alternatives one can play that offer far more design wise and won't cost you anywhere near what it charges.

One example -- head to Boulder City and play the 27-hole layout Boulder Creek.

Unfortunately, too many people make the mistake in only playing courses that are relatively near to The Strip.

[Sean Leary]

Did Matt Ward just "not" mention Wolf Creek when he easily could have? Another sign that the apocalypse is upon us.....

[Matt_Ward]

Sean:

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks !

[astavrides]

John Mayhugh,

They changed the holes around (i think just reversed the nines)  at some point.  You actually want to look at #11 on the website (which was the old #2, and it actually played as #2 at the Wendy's).  pretty good hole, but surprised to see that Jenkins thought that highly of it.  What the website shows as 16 is actually more of a signature hole with the big rock wall around the green.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Off topic but I must say that Butch Harmon's work on TV as an "analyst" was obnoxious, particularly when he continually referred to the LPGA players as "girls." My wife was upset and I agreed with her observation that he needs some training in the proper use of words. I think I'll write a letter to Wendy's CEO and ABC about this.

[John Mayhugh]

John Mayhugh,

They changed the holes around (i think just reversed the nines)  at some point.  You actually want to look at #11 on the website (which was the old #2, and it actually played as #2 at the Wendy's).  pretty good hole, but surprised to see that Jenkins thought that highly of it.  What the website shows as 16 is actually more of a signature hole with the big rock wall around the green.

Thanks for the explanation.  I took a look at the hole diagram for the 11th and while better than the second, certainly not anything that memorable.

[Damon Groves]

For what it is worth, Rio Secco ranks as the second biggest disappointment of my golfing career. 

I have zero desire to ever play it again.

You are spot on concerning your observation!

Played it a couple of years ago and I agree. Total waste of money. All of the observation points are correct.

[JohnV]

Off topic but I must say that Butch Harmon's work on TV as an "analyst" was obnoxious, particularly when he continually referred to the LPGA players as "girls." My wife was upset and I agreed with her observation that he needs some training in the proper use of words. I think I'll write a letter to Wendy's CEO and ABC about this.

Given they have the "T-Mates" available for hire, is it any surprise that Harmon would talk about "girls". 

To check out the T-Mates: http://www.riosecco.net/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=604&page=34601

Is that T for Tiger?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

John,

Thanks for reminding me about the "T-Mates". I'll add that to my letter.

I wonder if any of the "T-Mates"will show up on Tiger's ever expanding list of women.

[Matt_Ward]

Guys:

Chill -- please.

It's Vegas -- what the hell do you expect ?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Matt,

I don't think I'll play Rio Secco when we visit LV next month. My wife won't let me after seeing the "T-Mates" on TV.  

I think we might play Revere at Anthem as our friends recently moved there.

[Jed Peters]

I wonder if any of the "T-Mates"will show up on Tiger's ever expanding list of women.

One of em already did.

[JohnV]

Guys:

Chill -- please.

It's Vegas -- what the hell do you expect ?

I know what I expect when I go to Vegas, but I never seem to get it.  Oh well, that I guess that is the way life is when you don't have $1B.

As for Rio Secco, I played it about 10 years ago.  I don't remember much of it, but I know I wasn't overly impressed with the course.