July 20, 2009–Las Vegas' Royal Links Golf Club was inspired by the golf courses used during the British Open, but sometimes lost in the shuffle is that the term 'British Open' also includes the Ricoh Women's British Open being played July 30-Aug. 2 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club. And Royal Links' 1st hole was inspired by the 10th hole at the course. Plus, there are a some Las Vegas golfers in the field battling for the trophy.
Las Vegas golfers in the Ricoh British Open field include Natalie Gulbis, Amy Hung and 2008 U.S. Open Champ Inbee Park. USA Today Writer Steve DiMeglio noted a recent LPGA Tour trend that could lead to a win for Gulbis, who lives in Las Vegas. According to DiMeglio, there have been 16 different winners of the last 17 LPGA Tour major tournaments. Gulbis has one lone tour win (Evian Masters) but is seeking her first major. "The odds are in my favor," Gulbis told DiMeglio. "Scores get better each week, and so many players play great on the weekend. Not just a few players, but a lot of players. The tour keeps getting deeper and deeper every month. On any given week, any player can win any tournament, including a major."
Royal Links Golf Club is one of three, themed Las Vegas golf courses operated by Walters Golf, and its Las Vegas golf holes have been inspired by 11 different Open Championship courses including St. Andrews, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Turnberry, the course that hosted the 2009 British Open won by Stewart Cink, who works with Las Vegas' Butch Harmon. Currently, there are 'very agressive' Las Vegas golf deals available at Royal Links and you can view them by visiting the official website at RoyalLinksGolfClub.com. Royal Links Golf Club General Manager Matt Tripp says that the 1st hole at Royal Links and the 10th hole have a very similar feel.
"That is true, our first hole was inspired by the 10th at Royal Lytham, and the hole plays short on both courses," says Tripp. "For us, it provides a manageable starting hole if you play your cards right, but, over the years, we have heard the pros talk about the challenge of starting the back nine at Lytham with this hole. It is a dogleg right, with a severe fairway bunker, plus several bunkers that guard the green. It looks innocent, but if you miss it in the wrong spot–that's why we suggest taking one of our caddies–you can quickly make a big number."
In past articles, we have likened playing Royal Links Golf Club to playing golf in a museum. From the castle-like clubhouse that features memorabilia plus Stymies Pub to the statue of Old Tom Morris to the monuments at each hole describing various Open moments to everything in between, playing at Las Vegas' Royal Links is a special treat. "It's a thrill for all Las Vegas golfers, whether visiting or local, to play here because it provides an opportunity to play holes that most people will never get a chance to play," says Tripp. "The look and feel is very similar to what you experience across the pond. What we most commonly hear from those who have played the original holes and our holes is 'job well done' and they appreciate the fact that most of the time we don't have the same wind, rain and weather that they experienced on the real courses."