January 21, 2011–The King himself, Arnold Palmer, made a huge impact on the Las Vegas Golf Region, both during his playing days and as a course designer. Now, Arnold Palmer Golf Management, one of the fastest growing golf course management companies, is about to make a mark in the Las Vegas Golf Region. The company has taken over operations of Las Vegas golf courses Rhodes Ranch and Tuscany, bringing new spirit and ideas to the area. –By Brian Hurlburt.
Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM) is led by a powerful group of executives, including Managing Partner/CEO Jim Hinckley, who is described as "the most experienced executive in the golf course management and ownership industry having been involved in the ownership/management of over 350 golf courses." Hinckley started his career with ClubCorp as a bag boy, and then learned directly from ClubCorp Founder Robert Dedman, a true legend in the golf course management business. Other partners of APGM are Greg Adair, a real estate and investment banking expert; Ken Story, the private club operations expert; Larry Galloway, the public operations expert; and Doug Howe, a business development expert.
Tuscany and Rhodes Ranch Golf Club each are Ted Robinson-designed Las Vegas golf courses, and offer challenge while giving all Las Vegas golfers a chance to enjoy their round. The fairways are wide and the courses are not desert layouts. The challenge of these courses comes with the greens and the par 3 holes on the courses. The late Robinson loved the par 3s at Rhodes Ranch. Click now to view the official photo galleries of Las Vegas' Rhodes Ranch Golf Club and Las Vegas' Tuscany Golf Club. Also, click now for official tee times in Las Vegas at these courses or official Las Vegas golf packages for Rhodes Ranch Golf Club.
The official announcement of the new management group is just weeks old, and plans are still being put in place, but according to Rhodes Ranch General Manager Tate Stull, the company wants and demands quality, and puts the customer first. Among the action items are offering the highest quality Angus hamburgers and spending freely to maintain the highest quality putting greens at both Las Vegas golf courses. Also, a new membership club has been implemented, offering free afternoon golf, free beer and other perks, all for just $29 per month for locals. Also, special golf packages and other deals are being put in place for members of other APGM courses across the country.
The King won the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas and also the PGA Tour's Sahara Invitational. He also designed several golf courses in the area.