January 16, 2010–There were rumblings for awhile that the partners of the master-planned Coyote Springs–located about 50 miles from the Las Vegas Strip–and the PGA of America would end the business relationship which was put in place to make the development the PGA headquarters of the west. The official word came down this week, and while that probably isn't a perfect scenario for any involved, a spokesperson for Coyote Springs says it is business as usual at the nationally-acclaimed Las Vegas golf course, The Chase.
"Same quality course, same great service," Rob Myers, the PR spokeperson for Coyote Springs, wrote via email following the announcement. The facility was formerly referred to as The Chase at PGA Golf Club, Coyote Springs, and the only course open is The Chase. The Chase is a dramatic layout designed by Jack Nicklaus. Every national publication of note listed the course as one of the best new courses in 2008, and moving forward, the course will be called The Chase at Coyote Springs. Myers also confirmed that the the two groups mutually ended the relationship as it was reported this week in an article in Golweek.
The Chase is said to be 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. Already designed and plotted–with some earth moved–is a joint Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus co-design. There is no word on the opening of that course or how the entire development plan will move forward, given the uncertainty of the economy.
What is for certain is that The Chase is open for play, and you can reserve your Las Vegas golf tee times for The Chase online at the official Coyote Springs website, plus learn all about the community plans, etc. The holes at The Chase play through the native southwest desert and Nicklaus deftly integrated the outlines of each hole with the mountains off in the distance. Nicklaus and his team decided on the name because the course flows through the desert, evoking a feeling of movement. You can also take a course tour at CoyoteSprings.com.
The agreement with the PGA of America was a licensing deal where Coyote Springs owners paid the PGA of America an undisclosed fee, plus were to pay a percentage of revenues for home lots fronting the PGA Village area. Coyote Springs is laid out over 43,000 acres and 67 miles, and plans call for the building of 159,000 homes, 16 golf courses, schools, etc. at the end of the multi-year plan. Much of that plan is in a holding pattern while the economy recovers. PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka was quoted in Golfweek as saying that certain variables added up to "Us parting ways for now, but we leave the door open to return some day."