Las Vegas, Nevada (September 17, 2013)–Recent high winds and flooding have wreaked havoc on some area golf courses. Several courses and facilities have been damaged, but the good news is that owners and operators have stepped up and not only re-opened but improved during the closures. The most recent example of this is the driving range and practice area at Desert Pines Golf Club which was hit by major winds and forced to close. The two-tiered, climate controlled facility isc scheduled to open September 27 and management has added to the experience. –By Brian Hurlburt, Like Las Vegas Golf Insider on Facebook.
Renovations include the installation of a full-grass range to the facility which features five grass greens modeled after famous PGA tour locales. New range balls and updated facilities also complement the already expansive range. The range will continue to be climate controlled. “Practice in total comfort with misters in the summer and heaters all winter,” says Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame member Joe Kelly, a Vice President at Walters Golf.
Desert Pines also offers 18 holes of "Carolina golf" in the desert. Pine trees, water holes, and undulating greens highlight the experience at Desert Pines, which is located a very short drive from the burgeoning Downtown Las Vegas area. Click now for the official photo gallery for a peak.
The 2nd level of the two-tiered facility includes an automated teeing system which sets up a golfer to tee off without touching the ball. Desert Pines officials comment that this innovative system is "especially helpful for practice because golfers do not have to release their grip to strike another ball and therefore can isolate and work on various aspects of their swing."
Facility managers are expecting a busy opening week, and are conducting several promotions including an “Orange Ball” raffle which gives gifts and prizes to any golfer who finds an orange range ball. “We’re excited to be reopening and can’t wait to resume our role as a major off strip destination,” commented Nathan Corliss at Walters Golf.
Also available at Desert Pines is the Walters Golf Golf Academy under the direction of Golf Magazine Top 100 teaching professional Mike Davis. Davis has earned more than 10 local and section PGA of America Teach of the Year awards.