From the old to the new, the name Steve Wynn is synonymous with the highest level of sophistication and luxury. Reared on the east coast but lured to the west by the Vegas mystique more than 40 years ago, Wynn has become a key figure in the city’s ongoing development. His initial foray into hospitality came in 1967 when he purchased the aging Frontier Hotel, only losing it to Howard Hughes shortly thereafter.

Back on the winning track, Wynn set the bar for luxury resorts in Las Vegas with the Mirage and  Bellagio, but The Wynn, his most recent endeavor is his masterpiece. The Wynn opened in 2005 and remains one of the most expensive hotels ever built with immaculate conditions and amenities. For golfers however, it is his collaborations with Tom Fazio which hit the jackpot. 

First there was Shadow Creek known for its natural beauty, rolling terrain, lush gardens and astonishing views … all of which were relatively new to the Vegas golf scene when it debuted in 1989. Then came The Wynn located on the old Desert Inn site. The course had more than 800,000 cubic yards of earth moved to create the 45 feet of elevation changes. A 37-foot waterfall adjacent to the 18th seems like a feat of nature … were this not Las Vegas.

GARY GOETT

What’s now commonplace throughout Las Vegas and its outlying areas began with one man and one idea. High-end golf real estate in Las Vegas took shape when visionary Garry Goett developed Southern Highlands. The master-planned community was innovative in its integration of fine residential living and everyday amenities. Open spaces, recreational facilities, trail systems that weave throughout the property and even two elementary schools make this a truly comfortable community.

Southern Highlands took everyday living a step further by adding an outstanding golf course. The Southern Highlands Golf Club, a rare collaboration between Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones Jr., produced a par-72, 7,510-yard course renowned for its beauty as well as its appeal to players of all skill levels. Goett was able to nurture the community’s exclusivity by limiting golf membership to a lucky 360 people. As a result, the club does not require tee times.

Goett made his name in the Nevada real estate market with Southern Highlands, and ever the innovator, has kept the property’s allure alive with future plans for more than 300,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space.