ocean , tumbling property that dropped from the clubhouse , then rose again to the ocean ’ s edge . It was enough to stop a man in his tracks and say , think this one out well , for a chance like this doesn ’ t come along that often .
William F . Bell made sure that the Pacific would enter the minds of each golfer that played his course . Seven holes touch the coastline in one form or fashion . The run from 10 to 14 , to open the back nine , is bathed in ocean views and cliffside daliances . On the front , you rise to the water ’ s edge at the fifth green , play along it on the sixth , then return inland until you begin the inward nine .
Many cliff edges on courses like Cypress Point ( California ) or Cabot Cliffs ( Nova Scotia ) are irregular , allowing for the placement of a tee or a green on an outcropping ; the mile-long edge at Sandpiper is incredibly straight , denying any opportunity for such an arrangement . While the 6th hole might be a bit tame in appearance , given the neighborhood in which it resides , it stimulates the senses for what comes later .
The three-hole stretch from 10 through 12 may be impossible to top for its grandeur and challenge . Ten is a medium-length par four that , under enviable circumstances , could be driven . Woe to the golfer who attempts such a feat , as the green sits out on a promontory , dropping off on both sides and the rear . The view is breathtaking along the entire length of the hole , matched only by the challenge and the reward . Eleven plays downhill to the beach beyond , a long par three mitigated a bit by the severe descent . Many days , you ’ ll see locals walking their dogs beyond the palms that back the green , or a boat moving with the tide . Take in these sites , as the most intimidating drive on the course awaits on the twelfth hole . At 350 yards , it ’ s not a long hole . The entire right side of the hole is underbrush-covered cliff , forcing the golfer uphill and out to the left . Unless , of course , you ’ re the gambling sort that takes aim into the unknown . A ball played directly at the green and struck well , will end up inside 50 yards from the putting surface … or lost forever . A caution : judge the merits of the inland holes not against the ocean run , but on the land they occupy . The reachable first hole ( a short par five ), the tricky second and third ( that dance amid eucalyptus trees ) and the long , par three fourth ( 258 from the tips ?) are very fine holes whose character cannot be questioned . Sandpiper is a driver ’ s golf course , as evidenced by two inland holes : the 7th and the 15th . Both offer a chance to cut corners and reach greater lengths , but each presents danger along those avenues . The 7th is a mediumlength par four that bends left , while the 15th is a lengthy par five that bends right . What each offers is a high-side kick slope , to be utilized by the savvy golfer to avoid temptation and bring the golf ball back to fairway center .
Las Vegas and Primm Valley
Old MacDonald GC
While it ’ s true that Las Vegas is in Nevada , the reach of Sin City extends about thirty miles west , just across the California border . In Nevada , the town is Primm , and consists of a few hotels , gas stations and an outlet mall . On the California side , you ’ ll find a huge solar farm and a 36-hole golf complex called Primm Valley . Both courses were designed by Tom Fazio , fresh off his successes at Shadow Creek and Wynn , a half-hour up the road . Like their Las Vegas brethren , both Primm Valley courses would seem to be a mirage in as deserted an area as one could imagine .
Volume 3 • Issue 33 63