On Course: Desert blast

LAS VEGAS

The Tournament Players Club at The Canyons is at once combination of its contrary Nevada surroundings and also the recreational equivalent of its earth-shattering birth.

Before architect Bobby Weed and player consultant Raymond Floyd could put their combined skills to work, contractors were busy preparing the site … with dynamite.

Yes, the TPC Las Vegas, north of the glittering gaming city of Las Vegas, is a blast.

It is also a vivid visual wonder. Off in the distance, to the south, shimmers glamorous Las Vegas with all its polished attractions. Look away and the stark mountains and canyons offer a drama all their own.

The TPC Las Vegas managed to meld these two juxtaposed forces. Lush green parcels of manicured turf are woven throughout a rugged tapestry of arroyos, barrancas and other natural features in southern Nevada desert.

"Desert elegance," it has been called. There could be a no more apt description of the par-71, 7,063-yard golf course that offers a stern test of golfing skills along with stunning vistas.

"As far as aesthetics and playability," says Floyd, who considers the TPC Las Vegas among his best works, "I would put The Canyons up against any golf course you care to mention. It's as unique as they come and I'm very proud of the way it has turned out, especially given the challenges of designing a golf course on such a challenging piece of property.

"But," Floyd added, "I think a golf course is kind of like a fine wine. The best come from the toughest pieces of ground."

Opened in 1996, the TPC Las Vegas, which has hosted the SENIOR PGA TOUR's Las Vegas Classic in past years, is an integral part of the nation's largest master-planned community, Summerlin. The community also is home to the Tournament Players Club at Summerlin, a private membership club that has hosted the seniors the past two years.

The natural elements at The TPC Las Vegas are impossible to overlook. Dramatic scenery abounds, including a view of Red Rock Canyon. Much of the indigenous vegetation was preserved. Some was transplanted. Weed and Floyd took great care in considering the natural drainage when the routing was conceived.

"The theme of this course is more the natural , rugged look to create contrast," said Chris Gray, Director of Design for PGA TOUR Design Services. "That is why we incorporated the natural wash areas and transplanted the natural desert plants, so it would not look created."

But it is the raw landscape within the course boundaries that are most fascinating - and frustrating - for golfers. While the course meanders over several hundred acres, it has only 110 acres of irrigated land - another plus in the realm of environmental conservation and wildlife preservation.

There is little wonder why the TPC Las Vegas was the 138th course in the world - and just the second in Nevada at the time it opened - to earn distinction as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.

Preserving golf balls is up to the player. The TPC at the Canyons is a stern test of shot-making, as well as strategy and game management. There is more room than a player might think, particularly off the tees, but throw in prevailing winds and a number of elevation changes and you have a golf course that doesn't have much let-up.

"We were generous with the landing areas and I think the routing is very good," Floyd said. "I don't see one hole out there where I might say, 'I wish we would have done this.' Given the property, there were going to be a number of forced carries but on a strategy level, we leave that up to the player to figure out how much of a risk he's willing to take. A good course ought to offer risk and reward situations."

It doesn't take long for golfers to encounter the true flavor of the layout. The par-3 second hole, called "Canyon," which measures 196 yards from the championship tee, plays downwind to a large desert island green. It is one of Floyd's favorites, but he adds there is no one "signature hole" in his mind.

"There are probably six very strong holes and 18 good holes that fit together pretty well," he said.

The back nine is particularly taxing. The 12th hole, another par-3 measuring 145 yards, plays over a canyon to an elevated green. It is followed by the 423-yard, par-4 13th hole, called "Death Valley." It features a blind tee shot over an arroyo to a fairway angling to the right. The arroyo runs the entire length down the right side. It is a classic risk-reward hole with the player deciding how much of the gorge to bite off. Another blind tee shot awaits at the shorter, par-4 14th, which features another appropriate name, "Gorge-ous."

By now you get the idea. Bring all the game you've got and be prepared to gamble. You'll enjoy an exhilarating day, just like you'd expect in Vegas.