Las Vegas, Nev. (May 27, 2016)–Sometimes it’s the little things that make a golf course stand out. At Las Vegas’ Rio Secco Golf Club, those little things are the four par three holes that turn a great layout into a breath-taking challenge. This 18-hole Rees Jones design plays over, around and through canyons but it’s the par threes that definitely leaving lasting impressions. So today’s Las Vegas golf course spotlight is Rio Secco Golf Club. — By Bill Bowman.
Once players get on the course, they will see this layout for what Jones designed it to be: a tough, yet playable, 18 holes. The course stretches out to 7,313 yards from the tips and if players tee it up all the way back, it is a very demanding test. Jones is nickhamed the U.S. Open doctor is a legendary course architect.
Las Vegas golf course spotlight: Rio Secco
While the par 5s are solid risk/reward holes (Hint: The drives are usually to wide fairways, but the second shots will put a tremendous amount of emphasis on accuracy and shotmaking), it’s the par 3s that separate Rio Secco from many other courses.
Two of the par 3s, the 180-yard 3rd and the 215-yard 12th, play over canyons forcing players to make sure they take enough club to avoid donating a golf ball to the canyon depths. Bunkers around the undulating greens also add to the difficulty.
Then there’s the 7th hole that plays a jaw-dropping 207 yards over a deep-blue pond…and it’s all carry. The finale of the par 3s, the 189-yard 15th, is one of those picture-postcard layouts. The hole plays from an elevated tee down to a green that sits at the base of a canyon wall.
For all four of the holes, beauty meets challenge perfectly.
And should players find their game is not up to par after the round, Rio Secco has just the helpful answer: Taking a lesson or two at the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Yes, it’s THAT Butch Harmon, teacher to the stars. His school, featuring two and three-day options, is located at the far end of the practice facility at Rio Secco. It’s not unusual to see some of Harmon’s high-profile students, PGA and LPGA Tour stars, honing their skills on the range or even catch a glimpse of them grabbing a bite at Janelas Restaurant & Bar.
There are also other perks with playing at Rio Secco such as teaming up with a T-Mate caddie. These female caddies will help guide players around the course, doing everything from cleaning clubs to tending flags to raking bunkers to ordering food and drinks.
And if you’re looking for still more golf excitement, don’t forget to check out Rio Secco’s sister course, Cascata. It’s another Rees Jones masterpiece that is a resort facility with country club amenities.