Las Vegas, Nevada (October 3, 2013)–TPC Las Vegas is known as the home of professional golf in Las Vegas. And for good reason. On any given day you never know what pro from the PGA Tour, Champions Tour or Web.com Tour might be banging balls or teeing it up on the course. But with a few tips it's pretty easy to figure out if the pros are there and where they are. For the most part, everyday golfers have the same access at TPC Las Vegas as the pros have but there are some special privileges that the best in the world have earned including having access to the back end of the range and the special short game area. Or the "hallowed ground" as some call it. — By Brian Hurlburt, Like on Facebook.
Because TPC Las Vegas–as are all Tournament Players Club courses–is owned and operated by the PGA Tour, pros who have status on the tours get access to the course and are members. In fact, they own the place because the TPC network is a part of the pension portfolio of qualifying pros. And you never know who you will see and meet when you play TPC Las Vegas.
"It's invaluable to be able to play and practice at TPC Las Vegas," says PGA Tour champion and Las Vegas resident Charley Hoffman. "The staff is very welcoming and they also make sure the greens are Tour speed and the fairways are tour cuts and conditions. It's a huge advantage for those of us who have that access on an everyday basis over those that don't."
Want to play at the home of pro golf in Las Vegas? Click now to the official website to reserve your tee times at TPC Las Vegas. You can also click to learn about the official Las Vegas golf packages that are available with area resorts including the JW Marriott which is located just minutes from the course.
"It is very unique to have the best players in the world play and practice at our facility," says General Manager Dan Hammell. "You must currently be on one of the three major Tours (PGA, Champions or Web.com) or be a PGA Tour Past Champion to have privileges at our private practice facility. We pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality experience, not only for our Tour Players, but our guests as well. Guests can actually rub elbows with these greats as they play our signature par 3, 2nd hole."
Yes, the Tour practice area is located adjacent to the beautiful par 3 second hole which is a desert-island green and one of the most memorable on the course. Just steps away from the hole's tee boxes is the full-swing practice area and also the short-game practice area. And if someone is back there while you are playing at TPC Las Vegas, you know they are one of the best players in the world. Only players on the Tour will ever hit a ball in that special area. And if nobody is practicing back there you can still the see the remnants from recent sessions.
"It's pretty easy to spot where the Tour pros practice as opposed to the everyday player," says Joe Massanova, the Director of Business Development at the course. "It's like tracking a wild animal in the forest that is leaving behind destinctive tracks. Average players leave divots all over the place but the Tour players leave a pattern that is unmistakeable."
Another way to determine if a Tour player is on property is to check if the VIP Tour player parking spots are filled. Special spots are reserved for the pros and are only filled if a player is on property. It's just one more way for the staff to offer the special "owner" treatment to the professionals who have earned the privilege through hours and hours of dedication to the game.
There are other unique Tour items for you to check out at TPC LV. The walls of the pro shop are adorned with bags from most of the pros who play and practice regularly at the course. You will see bags from PGA Tour champions Ryan Moore, Scott Piercy, Dean Wilson, Bill Lunde, and Charley Hoffman in addition to bags from such players as Alex Cejka, Craig Barlow, Alex Prugh, and others.
TPC Las Vegas was also a host course for events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour with such stars as Jim Furyk, Hale Irwin and Stuart Appelby collecting wins at the course when it was in the rotation of the events.
The pros who play and practice at TPC Las Vegas have become just "one of the guys" according to staff, but they do expect some privacy when actively practicing or playing. But when they are in the clubhouse or not "working" they can be approachable and friendly. Who will you see the next time you play TPC LV?
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