Wingfield Nevada Corporation is one of Nevada’s largest private landowners and developers and its founder, Harvey Whittemore, believes the best is yet to come as he develops Coyote Springs. If you haven’t heard of this project, just wait. Located on 43,000 acres just north of Las Vegas proper, Coyote Springs will be a “new town” complete with residences, custom homesites, vacation accommodations, retail centers, numerous parks, hiking trails and golf. Well, a lot of golf. 

There will be a PGA Village, only one of two in the nation, which will feature a PGA Learning Center and a PGA Historical Center. For those who want to tee it up, a series of Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses known as The Bear Trail is planned. These courses will play through desert foothills and will have a scenic mountain vista as their background.

Whittemore says “Our dream is to create the appeal of a small town by developing a series of neighborhoods and villages connecting to town centers where people can live and play in an environment designed to bring neighbors together.” Golfers can’t wait to watch this project develop and see Mr. Whittemore’s dream come to fruition.

RANDY BLACK

Another destination on Vegas’ outskirts is becoming increasingly popular. Just a decade ago Mesquite, Nevada, was a gas stop on the way to Las Vegas. Since then, this sleepy city has metamorphosed into a new center for gaming and golf.

Brought to life by Randy Black, chairman and CEO of Black Gaming, he recognized Mesquite’s potential in providing entertainment, amenities and value on par with the existing area. Everything in Mesquite is within a five-mile radius, providing a very relaxed and enjoyable time without all the crowds and congestion.

Located within the Virgin River Valley 80 miles outside of Vegas, Mesquite serves up an impressive roster of golfing options. CasaBlanca, Palms, Oasis and Falcon Ridge Golf Clubs treat players to breathtaking scenery and impeccably groomed course conditions.

Just across the state border, and part of the Golf Mesquite Group is The Ledges in Southern Utah’s high desert. The Matt Dye-designed course combines innovative design with red rock panoramas and expansive views of Snow Canyon and St. George Valley. The Ledges Golf Club is also home to the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, the only one in the region. A new 18,000-square-foot spa and wellness center is expected to open Spring 2008 and will include exercise and aerobic facilities, specialized spa treatments and several pools. The Ledges includes homesites from the $300,000s and custom homes from the $700,000s.

“The original purpose of creating Golf Mesquite was to develop our community into a destination and provide golfers with enough variety and options for an unforgettable three-day golf getaway, which one property by itself could not accomplish,” said Black. “By partnering with all the resorts and hotels in Mesquite and seven golf courses, golfers are able to put together a one-, two- or three-day package that best suits them and come back year after year to experience the variety of challenges in desert golf.”

With this caliber of play available, it’s no surprise that golf helped put Mesquite on the map.