Las Vegas, Nevada (September 12, 2013)–TPC Las Vegas is owned and operated by the PGA Tour, and on any given day a pro who lives in Las Vegas could be spotted at the facility. And new TPC Las Vegas Head Professional Mason Spalding doesn't take the regular occurrence for granted. "One of the best things about the job is getting to know the Tour players who play and practice here, and that's a pretty unique and special experience," says Spalding, who lived in Colorado for many years prior to moving to Las Vegas in 2009. "You don't see that type of thing at most places. One day you may see Charley Hoffman in the grille and then head to the range and see Ryan Moore out there. This is the place to go for a great Las Vegas golf experience." –By Brian Hurlburt, Like on Facebook.
TPC Las Vegas is a former host course for events on both the Champions PGA Tour and PGA Tour, and is known as the home of pro golf in Las Vegas. Players who have won championships on the course include Stuart Appleby, Jim Furyk, Hale Irwin, and many others. The course was designed by PGA Tour Design Services Lead Architect Bobby Weed in consultation with World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd.
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Shelves on the clubhouse walls are filled with Tour golf bags from many of the professionals who live in the Las Vegas Golf Region. Most treat the course as a home away from the PGA Tour during off weeks. A quick scan reveals bags from Hoffman, Moore, Bill Lunde, Craig Barlow, Alex Cejka, Dean Wilson, and many others. And parking spots reserved for the Tour pros are filled much of the time.
"The PGA Tour is a very powerful entity to be associated with on many levels," says Spalding, who moved into the new Head Professional role following several years as an assistant. "The highest profile part of that is having the professionals use the course on a regular basis but there are many other benefits through the relationships the PGA Tour has with sponsors and other groups. What that means for the everyday golfer is a better golf experience."
Spalding grew up working as a caddie in Denver, and following a high school golf career earned a bachelor's degree in the PGA Golf Management Program at the University of Coloroda, Colorado Springs campus. Spalding earned his full Class A PGA of America status this past summer.
"Golf is something I always enjoyed and it developed into a passion," says Spalding. "I took the advice of my family who told me to find something I loved to do and make a career out of it. My wife is a nurse and saves lives for a living, but I get to come here everyday and be around golf. I am greateful for the opportunity, and it's my focus to deliver the 'PGA Tour experience' to every guest. We strive to give every guest the same experience that our PGA Tour players receive."