December 24, 2007–Over this past weekend, the world watched on ABC as the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour and Champions Tour competed in the Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge over the 18 holes of the Jack Nicklaus-designed Reflection Bay Golf Club, one of three Las Vegas golf courses at the world-class Lake Las Vegas Resort. But before the event, actually played about a month ago, some of the competitors and those covering it for ABC, took time out to tell GolfLasVegasNow.com about Lake Las Vegas Resort and Las Vegas in general. "It's just beautiful," said ABC's Judy Rankin, while walking to the first tee to begin her broadcast. "Reflection Bay is right there with a lot of the great golf courses in the world." The good news? You can play this course, just like the pros.
"It's a great test of golf and always in immaculate condition when we are here," Rankin also said. "I would definitely recommend it to all golfers."
The Private SouthShore Golf Club, another Jack Nicklaus golf course, and The Falls Golf Club, are the other two Las Vegas golf courses located at Lake Las Vegas Resort. Rainbow Canyon, a new Tom Fazio design, is currently under construction at Lake Las Vegas Resort.
Rankin, a fixture as an analyst on golf telecasts and a world-class player in her prime, has covered several Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge events that have been played at Lake Las Vegas Resort, and looks forward to it each year.
"I don't know if you want to know you're in Las Vegas when you're out here (at Lake Las Vegas Resort), but you definitely don't feel like you are when you are here," said Rankin, speaking of the oasis-type feel that envelops Lake Las Vegas Resort and its Las Vegas golf courses that are located about 40 minutes from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
Fred Funk, a member of the Champions Tour team for the first time, also was impressed with Lake Las Vegas Resort and Reflection Bay Golf Club.
"It's really nice, and you don't feel like you're in Las Vegas when you are out here," said Funk, in between warm-up shots on the range. "Coming to Las Vegas is always fun because you have great entertainment and great food."
Chris DiMarco, a member of the PGA Tour team, saw Le Reve ("It was good") while he was in town, and was seen on the driving range sporting a golf bag inscribed with the University of Florida Gator logo.
And, Natalie Gulbis, a member of the victorious LPGA Tour team, loves Lake Las Vegas Resort and its Las Vegas golf courses so much that she lives on one of the fairways of Reflection Bay Golf Club. She was thrilled to win the event, and she also recently celebrated her inaugural win on the LPGA Tour with a party at Lake Las Vegas Resort with friends, family and sponsors.