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No. 1 |
Stallion Mountain Country Club:
Las Vegas Challenges for All
By Diana Rowe Martinez,
Regional Staff Writer
Located just fifteen minutes from the Las Vegas "Strip",
the Stallion Mountain Country Club is the only 54 hole, private
country club in Las Vegas. Two separate clubhouses accommodate members
and guests, with complete accommodations to host tournaments and
special events. The course was originally built in the 1980s, designed
by Jeff Brauer and senior tour player Jim Colbert. Initially there
were only two courses, but a third was added in 1995. In 1997, the
course was sold to Bill Walters and a course overhaul began.
The first change was the name. Love for the wild horses roaming the wild Nevada deserts inspired the birth of Stallion Mountain Country club and its equestrian theme. Each of its courses was renamed after legendary champion horses: Secretariat, Man O'War and Citation. The Man O'War (South) course took several months and several million dollars to renovate, but the course is a good challenge for golfers of any level. The citation (North) course presents a milder challenge. I was fortunate enough to play around on the Secretariat Course, which is most challenging of the three courses. Designed by award winning architect, Jeff Brauer this course is noted as one of the best in Las Vegas, and I have to agree. The views are magnificent with Sunrise Mountain supplying the backdrop. Five lakes produce water features on 9 holes. Undulating hills, testing bunkers and green fairways combined with mature pines create many obstacles and increase this course's challenges. If this is your first time, ask for the in color guidebook and handy for quick reference. Each hole has a name, such as Longview, Saddle, Entrapment, Rough & Ready, Desperation, Temptation and Forced Carry, but you will agree that these are quite fitting once you play each one.
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The Secretariat's first challenge is hole 1's par 4 at 434 yards doesn't leave a lot of room for error. Bunkers and pines protect on both sides of the fairway and to the left of the green. Hole 2 is a long par 5 at 608 yards with slightly rolling hills and bunkers all along this dogleg left fairway. Hole 3, par 3, is one of those water holes called "On the Rocks." Play it safe and straight through the next few courses and beware of those bunkers. Hole 7 is a water hole, with the water starting next to your tee box and going the length of the fairway and pines on the right. Holes 8 and 9 take advantage of the water again. After you take a quick breather at the clubhouse, fill up on plenty of liquid because the back 9 continues to offer challenges to every player. Hole 10 starts you off with the water on the right and pines and bunkers sprinkled liberally along the fairway. Bunkers protect the green and make this a formidable par 5 at 549 yards. This first hole is a pretty accurate portrayal of things to come. Many golfers will be tempted to lay up on all these holes, but the slight hills will sometime mask the bunker just over the edge. So risk takers beware. Look closely at your guidebook and shoot straight. My favorite hole was "Hot to Trot" # 16 offering a par 4 at 458 yards. This hole is deceiving again with the rolling hills and long bunkers protecting the fairway, but the view is fantastic on an elevated tee box. The fairway breaks at about 100 yards and offers players a low road, but don't be fooled. Stay left but beware the bunker protecting the green.
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No. 10 |
The Secretariat course makes you wait until #17 for their signature
hole, par 3, named appropriately "Sudden Death." You guessed
it! Up and over the water at 210 yards seems doable, but the water
in between tends to suck up your golf balls. If that doesn't claim
you, too much club will put you in the bunkers behind the green.
The finishing hole is a par 5, 520-yard fairway. The downhill inclined fairway tends to spin your ball right toward the water, but this hole is a great way to finish up a challenging, but rewarding golf round and head to the clubhouse. The large clubhouse building is divided into two areas. One side is for guests only and the other for members only. Basically, the same amenities are offered: a pro shop, bar, restaurant and even a shoeshine. However, the members only side has a lounge area with a big screen and a larger sitting area. The Citation Special Event Center was constructed for post tournament and outing events accommodating between 250-400 people. Stallion is accessible to anyone affiliated with another club or is staying at one of the 25 Las Vegas Hotels that Stallion has a corporate relationship with. Stallion Mountain offers three unique courses for every type of golfer. The Citation (North) hosted the Frank Sinatra Golf course - Par 72, 6676 yards (70.7/113). The Man O' War (South) course hosted the Las Vegas Invitational with a Par 72, 6849 yards (71.7/119). Both the North and South courses offer a shorter, gentler challenge while the Secretariat (West) course will test the best of players with its Par 72, 7223 yards (73.6/127). The West course was recognized as one of the Top Ten New Courses for 1995.
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No. 17 |
Tee times can be made in advance by calling (702) 450-8077 or (888) 397-2499. For those that prefer modern technology, you can also access their web site and make reservations at http://www.waltersgolf.com/stallion_mountain.html. Stallion Mountain Country Club
5500 East Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89122
Phone: (702) 450-8077
Phone: (888) 397-2499
http://www.waltersgolf.com/stallion_mountain.html |
