Story by Bill Bowman
Photos provided by Coyote Springs Golf Club
Welcome to golf’s version of Beauty and the Beast: Coyote Springs Golf Club.
The 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature layout is located about an hour north of Las Vegas in the middle of rugged surroundings and desert foliage. Once golfers see the lush green strips of fairway, the beauty of the course comes into focus. But beware of the beast which is about to be unveiled.
“It’s absolutely a lush golf course,” says Curt Russell, general manager. “But there are a lot of elements on the course that can become problems if golfers aren’t careful. It’s one of those courses that can bite golfers if they hit stray shots.” As to why golfers should make the trek to tee it up at Coyote Springs, Russell’s answer was simple: “It’s getaway golf at its finest. You get away from all of the hustle and bustle. You get away from the planes flying overhead; you don’t hear car horns. It’s just peace and tranquility. It’s just you and your game.”
This course is Nicklaus at his finest: 18 holes that stretch out to a beastly 7,471 yards from the tips. Don’t despair, though—forward sets of tees, all the way down to 5,349 yards from the forward tees, take some of the bite out of the challenge.
And it’s a challenge that comes at players from a multitude of directions. Start out with rolling fairways that offer very few flat lies. Go ahead, try to find a lie where the ball isn’t above your feet or below your feet—we dare you. While players are lining up that fairway shot into the green (or to a layup spot on par 5s), the other challenges all of a sudden come into play. These include water features on 11 of the holes and strategic bunkering (more than 100 stand guard around the landing areas and greens), and you’ve got a golf course that’s suddenly turned from beauty into a beast.
“This course was set up for pro golfers,” Russell says. “It’s set up to be a very good challenge. But with forward tees, it’s a course everyone can play. It’s also a course that you’ve got to play a few times to really figure out the best places to hit the fairway off the tees and the best way to approach shots into the greens.”
While there are 18 dynamic holes to test players’ abilities, there are three holes that certainly challenge players’ approach to the holes as well as their aggressiveness. We’ll start very early in the round with the second hole, which is the perfect definition of beauty as well as a beast. At 575 yards from the tips, it’s a beast in length. Only big hitters will get home in two, although many more will attempt and a good number of those will see their golf ball find a watery grave in the pond guarding the right side of the green. Following a layup second shot for most players comes the tough approach shot that must avoid that green-side pond and five bunkers. It’s a gorgeous hole as well as a tough challenge. And remember, we’re only on the second hole. “It’s definitely a hole that will test players,” Russell says. “You’ve really got to think your way around the whole course, but holes like No. 2 really put emphasis on playing smart shots.”
Two other holes also define the drama this course can offer players—the 9th and 18th holes. The good news is both of the par 4s play relatively short (the 9th is 410 yards while the 18th is just 375 yards). Yet both can be diabolical, which is just the way Nicklaus designs usually play out. The holes are mirror images of each other, with the 9th being a dog-leg left and the 18th is a dog-leg right. A huge pond (of course) separates the holes. Throw in a couple of large bunkers (again…of course) and these holes suddenly become very challenging and require accuracy with every shot. “These two holes are impressive in their own way,” Russell says. “They aren’t long at all and golfers can get a little overconfident on the tee and say ‘this isn’t bad…I’m definitely going to get a birdie.’ Then, all of a sudden, they are writing down a six on the scorecard and wondering what just happened.”
In the end, picking a favorite, or the toughest, or the most stunning isn’t easy on this 18-hole layout. Russell says Nicklaus wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s one of Jack’s ‘Signature’ courses. Any or all of these golf holes can stand out on their own as a signature hole. It just depends on what the golfer sees or feels.” Speaking of seeing and feeling, Russell added that players have to think their way around the course, and that means right from the start.
“Golfers need to play the tees that fit their game. It’s a tough course and trying to play from the wrong set of tees can lead to a tough day.”
Russell has three pieces of advice for players. “Golfers should certainly log on to our website and watch the flyovers of the holes. On the course, play a little short of the hole. You don’t want to be above the hole—you want to be putting up to the hole. And finally, come out with the spirit of enjoying the day—just come out to have fun.”
Before the round, players will be impressed as they head out to warm up. “One thing that really amazes people is the 22-acre practice facility. It’s one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.” The range features 13 target greens. Add in a 10,000-square-foot putting green and you’ll be ready to take on Coyote Springs.
“Golfers need to leave their ego at Mitch’s Bar and Grill and just go out and enjoy the course and the day,” Russell concludes with a laugh. “We’ll have their ego ready for them after the round—along with a cold beer.”
Coyote Springs Golf Club
3100 State Route 168
Coyote Springs
725-210-5400
www.CoyoteSprings.com
