MESQUITE, Nev. (July 6, 2017)–This one’s simple: Pack one bag, grab your clubs and hit the road for an overnight getaway to take on two of the most scenic–and most challenging–layouts you’ll see anywhere. An hour north of Las Vegas in Mesquite are Wolf Creek Golf Club and Falcon Ridge Golf Course, two layouts that are extreme roller coaster rides from start to finish. — By Bill Bowman.
From severely elevated tee boxes to deep-blue water features and brilliant white-sand bunkers to a shot-makers paradise, these two courses check all the boxes when players are looking for that must-play course.
And these two are about 8-10 minutes apart making them very accessible if players want to hit them both on the same day.
Here are a couple of highlights from each course. But these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Wolf Creek plays less than 7,000 yards from the tips (6,939) but it shows that creativity can give a course as much of a test as length.
There are five sets of tees (down to 4,101 from the forward set) so this one is welcoming to everyone.
That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.
“This is the chance for players to tee it up on one of the most unique golf courses in the country,” said Darren Stanek, the general manager.
Stanek hesitates when asked about his favorite or toughest hole. “I have a tough time picking out a favorite,” he said. “Depending on the winds or the sun, they can all present unique challenges and beauty. At any given time they will all present themselves differently.”
But one of our favorites is the 562-yard, par-5 17th. Players can grip-it-and-rip-it from the elevated tee some 100-plus feet above the fairway, but the second shot (if players are going for the green in two) requires pin-point accuracy as water guards three sides of this green.
Down the road at Falcon Ridge, players will experience another dynamic course with more elevation changes.
Falcon Ridge plays to just 6,569 from the tips. But with four sets of tees (with the forward tees set at 4,440 yards), it’s certainly playable for everyone.
With some of the most dramatic elevation changes anywhere, impressive doglegs on some holes, deep-blue water features and challenging greens, it will definitely hold its own against even the best players.
“We don’t have any holes that are the same and there are just outstanding views everywhere,” said Rob Wurstern, general manager. ”It’s just a very unique golf course.”
Wursten points out there are a variety of signature holes, but one of his favorites is the 12th. The par-5 plays 525 yards from the tips. The tee is elevated and this one gives new meaning to risk/reward. The drive must split the fairway as a huge bunker and pond on the left side and another pond on the right provide the risk for the tee shot. That pond on the right also provides the challenge for the second shot as that shot will be all carry over the pond (although there is fairway to the left for those making it a three-shot hole).
“This is just a great risk/reward hole from start to finish,” Wursten said.
Both Wolf Creek and Falcon Ridge are absolutely worth the drive to Mesquite. Playing them both the same day or on an overnight stay and it’s a win-win situation.
Golf packages are available at the Eureka Casino Resort and also the new Rising Star Sports Ranch.