December 11, 2008–Last month, Jack Nicklaus' The Chase at PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs was named one of the top golf courses in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure. Now comes word that The Chase has earned more awards. A Golf Digest panel has selected the Las Vegas golf course as the number 2 top new golf course for 2009, while GOLF Magazine has placed it at number 3. The public, resort PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs is self-dubbed, "The new home of golf in the west", and is located about 50 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
About the Golf Digest survey: "Golf Digest's annual survey of America's Best New Courses is conducted by a panel of more than 900 male and female golfers who considered nominees that had opened (or reopened after a remodel) between May 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008. Our panelists rated courses on their Shot Values, Design Variety, Resistance to Scoring, Memorability and Aesthetics. The categories are Private Courses, Public Courses, Remodel and Canadian."
“This is exciting and remarkable to win the ‘golf rankings trifecta,’” said Harvey Whittemore, chairman and founder of the Wingfield Nevada Group, developer of Coyote Springs through its affiliate Coyote Springs Land Development Corporation. “It is a tremendous honor for our entire team and we are grateful for their efforts in creating this world-class golf facility. We are committed to providing each of our guests with the very best golf experience. This course shines as bright as the lights of Las Vegas.”
Coyote Springs is an emerging city with plans calling for thousands of homes, a resort, schools, and all of the other conveniences found in a community. The Chase course is the first project to officially open but much of the infrastructure is in place. Plans are also in the works for the first co-design by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus to debut at PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs. The course has been designed and golfers who play The Chase can see some of the hole locations as they drive around the property.
"Jabbed into an arid site ringed with mountains, this Jack Nicklaus track kick-starts one of the most ambitious golf development projects ever," wrote the editors of GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. " … it's good enough to justify the drive, with some of the most artfully crafted bunkers and greens of Jack's career. The Chase is a monument to thoughtful shotmaking." The recognition from GOLF Magazine came on the "Top New Golf Courses You Can Play" list.
From CoyoteSprings.com: "The Chase is the first golf course in a planned series of Jack Nicklaus-designed courses that will flow throughout the Coyote Springs community. The course plays to a par 72 and ranges from 5,349 yards from the forward tees to 7,471 yards from the championship tees. Eleven lakes come into play on the golf course many consider to be one of Nicklaus' finest desert creations."