Bali Hai or Las Vegas GC or Royal Links

[Jim Franklin]

I would do Sand Hollow. But if you stay in Vegas, go with Royal Links, Bali Hai is far too expensive for the dull design.

As for Avocet, I really liked that course (I know it isn't Vegas, but it has been mentioned), and The Quarry at Giants Ridge is even better. It is a shame it is so far away, but I really hope to get back there one day.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Just an interesting little aside:  My friend played there shortly after it opened and had a hole in one.  He sent a note to Tom Fazio complimenting the course and mentioning his hole in one.  Fazio sent him a diagram of the hole and put a note on it "Guess I should have made it tougher.  Tom Fazio"  which was really cool and my friend has it framed in his office.

That's old school.

I still recall writing to RTJ as a 12 year old and getting a response.  It seemed personal, it did reference my letter proclaiming my desire to be a gca, etc.  Could have been written by a secretary. 

I wonder how many architects (or people in general) follow the rule of responding, even if updated to email, to requests or notes that really don't benefit them?  I try, but not perfect, for sure.

Jim,

Thanks for the kind comments on my courses.  It has occurred to me that the Quarry in particular might have been a better career boost if it was in a different area, but what happens, happens.  If I happen to be wearing a Quarry shirt in MN, it is surprising how many folks at MSP or Duluth airports will mention that they hear great things, but still haven't been up there to play, and its been open 11 years now.......

And not to pat myself on the back too hard, but as to Avocet, I was at the US Open at Shinny many years ago, standing by the 8th green.  See a guy in a Wild Wing hat, ask him which course he plays, and he replies "Woodstork."  I was a bit disappointed and asked why he didn't play Avocet.  He said he could never get on that one, so my initial disappointment was misguided, I guess.   

By the way, definitely NOT old school on my part, but every time I see Rees (nearly) I do remind him of which course at WW they elected to keep!  He is actually pretty nice about it, as is his way.  He has also commented that when asked to design a course in MN, they ask if he can make it as good as Giants Ridge and the Wilderness......

That always tickles me, but then again, Rees is also old school, and would never say anything about anyone if it wasn't nice......his brother excepted, of course!

[MCirba]

Thanks for all of the info, guys.

Has anyone played the old Las Vegas Golf Club?   Given that it was the original course in LV and was designed by Papa Bell i'm interested from a historical perspective but is there anything there well preserved or worth seeing?

[Jim Franklin]

Jeff -

I used to go to Myrtle Beach 3-4 times a year. I had a girlfriend that lived there so I was there as often as I could. Avocet was always one of the courses I played along with Caledonia.

Funny about people in Minnesota. I drove from Minneapolis to play Giants Ridge after flying in from Baltimore. I loved it and was glad I made the trip. Having a Dairy Queen on every exit helped the drive too. 

[MCirba]

I'm leaning towards Royal Links, although after my trip last month playing some of the originals I may be in an overly critical comparative mood.

[astavrides]

I'm leaning towards Royal Links, although after my trip last month playing some of the originals I may be in an overly critical comparative mood.

No doubt. It is the like the difference between seeing a lion in the wild and a lion in a cartoon.

[MCirba]

Alex,

Likely true.   Hey, how many courses are you up to these days?   

[Anton]

Bali Hai because it is the most 'Vegas' of the 3 you listed.  It's fun, fake, and shiny.  Faux links courses like Royal Links are everywhere and LVGC (while it's a nice course) was average IMO.  If you win a little money at the tables then go even more 'Vegas' at Shadow Creek, Cascata, or Wynn.   

[MCirba]

Anton,

I'm a sucker for golf courses that have a true "sense of place", even if that place itself is largely artificial.     As such, I may seek Bali Hai, after all.

By comparison, would LVGC be more for the guys who lost their shirts at the casinos?   I sense that "sense of place" may be much more real to the setting than Bali Hai.   

[Jeff_Brauer]

Thanks for all of the info, guys.

Has anyone played the old Las Vegas Golf Club?   Given that it was the original course in LV and was designed by Papa Bell i'm interested from a historical perspective but is there anything there well preserved or worth seeing?

Do you mean the country club or the old muni?  I have played both, and actually built a few greens at each.  Country Club is better and less crowded...the muni plays 100K rounds per year.

[MCirba]

Jeff,

Yes, I meant the muni.   I'm an old muni rat and would venture that I may have played more old munis around the country than anyone so I have that going for me. 

In any case, on a whim I decided to book a round at Bali Hai and when I went in to schedule it saw I could play at 7:40am for $99 which looked like a good deal.   It was only after I booked that I saw that I actually booked Royal Links, and that's their regular rate.

Oh well, sometimes you have to go with what cards you're given, pardon the pun.  Depending on the timing, I may swing by the old muni anyway if I can cruise around Royal Links quickly in the morning.

[Tim Leahy]

Anybody like Angel Park?

[MCirba]

Played Royal Links.  If you can stand the campy kitsch the golf.course is pretty uncompromising.  In other words, these aren't the usual watered down copies of holes but instead pretty full throated versions.   Guess I shouldn't have expected less from Perry Dye.