| 1> | | | | you are going against gravity with no exceptions to |
| | | | this rule, including level or downhill topography. This |
| Just 20 minutes west from the Fabulous Las Vegas | | | | phenomenon requires a calculation of extra yardage |
| Strip, the Angel Park Golf Facility, billed as "the most | | | | into the shot and a firmer putting stroke while |
| complete golf experience" oversees the City of | | | | proceeding in the westerly direction. |
| Entertainment. At an unofficial elevation of 2,800 | | | | Duffer DVDsLakes, sand traps and desert landscaped |
| feet, some 800 or so higher than the rest of the | | | | ravines lace most of the holes of the Mountain |
| city, the two Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole | | | | Course with many of the animal residents such as |
| championship golf courses and a one-of-a-kind 12-hole | | | | rabbits to name a few, enjoying the natural |
| lighted golf course (and the highly-acclaimed 18-hole | | | | surroundings. Although it is not referred to as a |
| putting course) provides a panoramic view of the Las | | | | "target-style" golf course, many of the characteristics |
| Vegas skyline, Sunrise Mountain, the Black Mountains | | | | of target golf are apparent. This keeps the golfer |
| above Henderson and the Sheep Mountains north of | | | | focused on maintaining straight and long drives, |
| the city. Along with a full-service golf operation, it | | | | rewarded by short to medium approach shots to |
| maintains an ambiance that distinctively makes it one | | | | reach the greens in regulation. Hole #11, a short par |
| of Las Vegas's finest. | | | | three, 133-yard test over a small gully is a fun hole |
| In the golf cart go the clubs, passing the Main Starter | | | | for golfers of all levels. Although it is short and the |
| Hut for all courses, and traveling into a tunnel that | | | | green is approximately the same elevation as the tee |
| takes golfers underneath Rampart Avenue to the | | | | box, hitting your ball over the vastness of the stark |
| Mountain Course. Here, the Course Starter, Joe | | | | gully to a small target area is quite thrilling. Here, the |
| Lombardi graciously greets all groups. Joe provides a | | | | green is short in depth and long in width. Pin |
| few tips (and tricks) of the course, including the | | | | placement to either side of the green can make for |
| infamous, "all putts roll to the Stratosphere", and | | | | long and temperamental putts. Here, the golfer |
| black/white poles are 125-yard markers to the center | | | | deserves recognition for a par! |
| of the green today. Although the Mountain Course is | | | | The use of all golf clubs in the bag is needed on the |
| sandwiched between two of the areas newest | | | | Mountain Course, including ball flight approaches from |
| resorts, The Regent Las Vegas and Sun Coast, there | | | | the left and right. The course will test more of the |
| is no commercial or residential development skirting | | | | one's ability than time can usually allow for practicing. |
| the golf course's fairways and greens. This | | | | The signature hole of the course is hole #17, a par |
| immaculate tract makes for a very placid round of | | | | five, 529-yarder which requires low and high |
| golf as you wind through the rolling natural terrain and | | | | handicappers alike to lay-up their drives before the |
| native vegetation. | | | | large, barranca-like ravine begins its extent some 180 |
| RED ROCK - The first leg of the journey (hole #1 | | | | yards across. |
| through hole #5) takes the golfer in the direction of | | | | On the second shot which is probably a fairway |
| Red Rock and Spring Mountain ranges (e.g., Mt. | | | | wood, and before allowing your ball to land safely on |
| Charleston). This stretch provides the golfer with a | | | | the other side of the fairway, remember to stay to |
| variety of tests to get started, including three par | | | | the furthest right as possible so the steep angles and |
| fours, the number one handicapped and only par five | | | | tilting land cannot swallow a good shot! All arrant golf |
| on the front nine - hole #2, and a deceiving downhill | | | | shots in the arroyo-like ravines are a one-stroke |
| par three - hole #4. | | | | penalty, whether or not you find your ball. The |
| To further gauge the golfers' abilities, the greens are | | | | fairways are beautifully manicured and the roughs are |
| an ever-present factor to the difficulty of this course. | | | | fair, allowing the golfer some gratitude, but not |
| The golfer will be flirting with high stakes if he or she | | | | completely. Much of the rough can reside on severe |
| tries to edge-burn putts on these fast surfaces. | | | | angles too. Although they are usually cut to allow the |
| Unlike more forgiving greens, these truly can cause | | | | club good access to the ball, many shots from the |
| the golfer an extra 10-15 strokes per round if one is | | | | rough are positioned on slopes which makes for the |
| complacent! The greens with angular surfaces require | | | | calculation of a draw and fade ever so more |
| the utmost concentration, technique and luck to | | | | important. |
| every putt. Remember when you play here, you will | | | | Angel Park is considered a heavily played facility and |
| test your mettle against the most intriguing putting a | | | | it is open seven days a week. It is one of the most |
| golfer will experience and don't forget where the | | | | popular golf destinations in the area for both locals |
| Stratosphere is at all times! | | | | and tourists alike. The green fees are very |
| Golfers who have played the Mountain Course will | | | | reasonable for locals ($50.00) who do not need to |
| point out many of the idiosyncrasies of this | | | | wait for afternoon rates like other quality Las Vegas |
| gorgeous, but demanding layout. For example, take | | | | golf settings. |
| the easy looking; par three, 136-yard (from the | | | | The Angel Park Golf Facility is managed by OB Sports |
| blues), hole #4. As you stand on this elevated tee | | | | Golf Management and the staff are professional in |
| off box, you are observing a short hole with a | | | | offering the best in tournaments, group events and |
| slightly elevated green above the fairway. It appears | | | | corporate outings, including PGA-accredited |
| as if a 100-yard club will be plenty to reach the green. | | | | instructional programs, catering, tournament scoring |
| But, the golfer will soon discover that the true | | | | and tee prizes. The Golf Shop carries a wide selection |
| distance here is misleading as it plays every bit as | | | | of name-brand equipment, apparel and accessories. |
| long as the scorecard reads, regardless of the | | | | Regularly |
| downhill shot. This is due to the terrain. If you | | | | For more than 30 years, Nicklaus courses have |
| analyze the behavior of ball flight, you may come to | | | | covered nearly every continent, creating the name |
| the following conclusion, "the opposite of what the | | | | and reputation of excellence among great golf course |
| golfer thinks happens, really does happen." That is, | | | | architects. |
| when hitting the ball away from the Stratosphere | | | | |