Las Vegas, Nevada (November 18, 2010)–Cascata and Rio Secco Golf Club are the only two Las Vegas golf courses designed by the legendary Rees Jones, and both are operated by Harrah's Entertainment, along with arguably Las Vegas' most historic course, Las Vegas National Golf Club. These Las Vegas golf courses boast solid resumes, with Cascata earning 29 out of 30 points in a ZAGAT survey, Rio Secco Golf Club hosting the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge and the WAC Conference Championships, and Las Vegas National is the home to the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame and hosted a regional qualifier for the U.S. Senior Open over the summer. Somewhat amazingly, the management of the courses entrusts maintenance to a third party, Key Golf, with stellar results. –By Brian Hurlburt.
Led by Harrah's Vice President of Golf Operations Eric Dutt, who oversees each of these Las Vegas golf courses, a move was made about a year ago to streamline the maintenance operations at the courses. According to Dutt, a 2008 inductee into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame, the move has saved costs, improved course conditions, and been a win for all involved. "Key did a tremendous job of putting our course in professional tournament condition," said Dutt, referring to the recently played Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge at Rio Secco that featured some of the world's best golfers. "We weren't surprised. They have done a tremendous job since we contracted with them to handle our entire course maintenance program, not only at Rio Secco, but also at Cascata and Las Vegas National. We are very pleased with the partnership."
The Las Vegas Golf Region is made up of many world class golf courses, and the three listed in this article are among the top of this list. The good news for all golfers in Las Vegas is that you can visit the official websites of these Las Vegas golf courses to secure your tee times in Las Vegas or reserve Las Vegas golf packages. Plus you can learn about special Las Vegas golf deals and secure the best service when you reserve your golf reservations directly with the management of the Las Vegas golf courses. The previous links on the names of the courses will take you directly to the official websites of the Las Vegas golf courses.
Dutt admitted it was somewhat of a leap of faith to allow a third party to handle something as vital as overall golf course maintenance, but he believed in Key Golf, a company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pro Turf International, a respected golf course construction firm. And in this economic environment, Dutt has always been a leader in looking for innovative ways to save money while improving performance. And having Rio Secco in fine condition for the recent nationally-televised Wendy's event was a final benchmark that proved the partnership a success. "On behalf of the Wendy's 3- Tour Challenge, Harrah's Entertainment, the Players, Butch Harmon, who worked so tirelessly in bringing this elite field of PGA stars together, Key Golf, the staff, and myself, a very special thanks to all," said Dutt. "It was a fun week, but let's not lose sight of the fact that the 'kids' who find homes through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption are the big winners, and that's what this event is all about." The Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge benefits the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and has raised millions for the cause over the last two decades, most of which with events played in Las Vegas, including the last three at Rio Secco, which also serves as the home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf.
Key Golf, based in Las Vegas, NV, took over the maintenance at Rio Secco 10 months ago, and put it in pristine condition for the 3-golfer teams from each of the major tours. The PGA Tour team was Justin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley while the Champions Tour was Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Nick Price. The LPGA Tour was Las Vegas Golf Region resident Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr and Suzann Pettersen. The PGA Tour team won and the event will be televised in December on The Golf Channel. Click now for more coverage of the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge.
In a press release regarding the partnership, the new arrangement was described thusly: "When the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge participants arrived at Rio Secco Golf Club last week, they were greeted by something rarely, if ever seen, in the world of professional golf tours: A golf course groomed to the highest levels of conditioning, that was not maintained by the golf course maintenance staff." But this is Vegas, where big gambles often go well rewarded.