If you’re looking for golf at its purest, there are plenty of options in and around Las Vegas. One of those choices also happens to be one of the oldest courses in the Vegas area—Wildhorse Golf Club. Wildhorse, located in Henderson, is managed by Elite Golf and has been welcoming golfers to the first tee for more than 65 years. The course has gone through its share of name changes, including Paradise Valley (when it opened), Showboat Country Club, Los Verdes, Royal Kenfield and, since 1994, Wildhorse Golf Club.
The course underwent a design change in 2004 by the world-renowned architect duo of Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley. The design team is well-known around Vegas, as they also worked on several other top-tier layouts like Bali Hai Golf Club, Siena Golf Club, Stallion Mountain (the redesign), and others around the state.
Wildhorse is a par-70 layout that reaches around 6,600 yards from the tips. But while it may not be a lengthy layout, there are plenty of challenges to test golfers along the way. “It’s a great golf course for beginners and also a good course for skilled golfers,” says Jon Waddington, general manager. “It’s one of the few park-like courses in Vegas. And while it is enjoyable to play, it does have some bite to it, and there are holes out here that are great challenges.”
And the best of those challenges may just be the par-4 9th hole. The 398-yard hole was originally the finishing 18th hole, but is now the midpoint of the round since the redesign. It may seem like a simple hole with the yardage being less than 400 yards, but water comes into play off the tee as well as around much of the green for the approach shot. It’s a hole that will test players’ accuracy from tee to green. And their nerves. “It definitely is a challenging golf hole,” Waddington says. “It’s a hole where you can make par—or even a birdie—but can also make a big number. It’s one of those holes that is impressive looking, but you’ve got to play it smart.”
Overall, Waddington says the main draw to the course is simple: “It’s a fun course. It’s not long, but players need to keep the ball in the middle. The ball will run. Keep the ball in play and you’re going to have a real fun day.”
The fun aspect at Wildhorse includes growing the game. “We’re trying to make sure we give juniors a chance,” according to Waddington. “Elite Golf has a program where juniors play for free with an adult in the afternoons.”
Wildhorse is also one of the few layouts to be named a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary course. “We’re out to embrace wildlife,” Waddington says. “We’re not putting nasty chemicals on the fairways that will be adverse to the wildlife.”
Off the course—or actually, on the course but in off-hours—Wildhorse offers disc golf play. The course features two championship courses that play over the regular golf course. Wildhorse also offers more than golf, as it is also a welcoming spot for weddings or corporate outings. From the wedding ceremony to the reception, the staff at the course will provide a day the bride (along with the groom, friends, and family) won’t soon forget. “We have a big banquet facility, and we do quite a few weddings,” Waddington notes. “As far as public courses go, we have one of the largest facilities and we can host up to 220 guests at once. We also do a lot of corporate events. We can be crazy-busy at times with events, meetings, business networking groups. We have seen a lot of them. And one of the reasons why is they enjoy being here rather than meeting in an office.”
Then there’s the dining at the course. If you’re looking for an inviting spot to eat before or after your round, stop in the restaurant on the clubhouse’s second floor. “I’d put our club sandwich against anyone else’s,” Waddington says with a laugh. “Once you’re here, you’ll love the atmosphere and the food. In fact, we have regulars who come here to eat who don’t play golf. They just come here for the food.”
Waddington says that in the end, the golf leagues that call Wildhorse home prove the course has wide appeal. “The men’s and women’s leagues we have here are pretty active so it’s a great social atmosphere,” he says. “I call it the muni culture. People come out with their friends to have fun. You’re not out here for five hours and it’s a great value any time of the year. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Wildhorse Golf Club
2100 W Warm Springs Rd, Henderson
702-434-9000
www.golfwildhorse.com
