The other side of Vegas: A tour of its celebrated golf history

Beneath the glitz and vibrancy of Las Vegas lies a lesser-known tale – its rich golfing history. While the city is famous for the lights and atmosphere of casinos on the strip, it also boasts a history of premier golf courses and celebrated champions. This combination of Las Vegas golfing and the excitement of casinos is perfectly captured at Wild Vegas Casino Online. Players can experience a virtual hole-in-one at this online casino with generous no deposit bonuses. 

Sin City’s love for golf dates back to the late 1920s, intertwining with celebrity stories, significant business transactions, and the city’s vibrant personality. In this article, we will look at the history of golf in Vegas, exploring memorable matches and the evolution of its iconic courses.

Early Beginnings 

The 1920s marked a turning point in Las Vegas history as it saw the opening of its first golf club. This first-ever course, located on the grounds of the Las Vegas Hilton, left its mark on history and demonstrated the city’s unexplored possibilities as a center for important sporting events. Even though the course is no longer part of the famous Strip, it still holds significance as the initial step in Las Vegas’ transformation into the fight capital of the world, housing some of the most momentous sporting events in the world.

A Trailblazing Path 

In 1937, the curtain rose on the Las Vegas Golf Club, a pivotal milestone that expanded the landscape of the city’s golfing scene. This course, meticulously crafted under the guidance of William F. Bell, emerged as a symbol of dedication to the sport’s growth within Las Vegas. Yet, competition was swift to arise. Merely a decade later, the Desert Inn Country Club graced the scene in 1952, designed by the skilled hands of Lawrence Hughes. This course swiftly claimed the mantle of being the premier golfing destination in the area, magnetizing enthusiasts with its allure.

PGA Tour Events

Before too long, the PGA Tour decided to start playing events in Las Vegas, with the Desert Inn Country Club playing host to the first-ever Tournament of Champions in 1953. Al Besselink won the inaugural event, which would continue to be held in Las Vegas for 15 straight years before moving to Stardust Country Club in 1967.

However, it wasn’t the only colossal golf event on the schedule to be held in Las Vegas, as the Northwest Open was also staged in Sin City in 1954, with Eddie Draper landing victory. Gene Littler would enjoy visiting Las Vegas at the Tournament of Champions between 1955 and 1957, as he would win three straight titles at Desert Inn. There would be further competitions for the top players later, as the Black Mountain Golf & Country Club opened its doors for the first time in 1957. 

Shriners Children’s Open

One of the first PGA Tour events to be added to the calendar that was staged in its entirety in Las Vegas came in 1983, as the Shriners Children’s Open was staged for the first time. The event takes place annually in October and is held at TPC Summerlin. It has been a huge event on the calendar throughout history, most notably as it was the location of the first-ever victory on the PGA Tour for Tiger Woods in 1996.

It has been a star-studded occasion throughout its history, with Justin Timberlake being a frequent player in the event between 2008 and 2012. Several famous winners have landed victory at the event throughout history, including Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay, and Tom Kim.  

Hall Of Fame Is Born

The sport’s long-term future in Vegas was assured in 1991, as the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Form was born. It was introduced to honor some of the finest players of the sport in the area and the inaugural first-class inductees, including Clyde Cobb, Stuart Reid, Charlie Teel, and Jerry Belt. The notable victories of the stars, including the Hall of Fame, were later on show after the exhibit was opened in Sin City in 2009. It is now a must-see museum for all golf fans who visit Las Vegas throughout the year, and it is updated yearly with the new exhibits added following the announcements of the stars that will join the Hall of Fame.

Conclusion

Few locations in the world come close to Las Vegas, and the fact that golf has such an esteemed history in the region ensures that it is a must-visit for all lovers of the sport. That continues today, as there is no shortage of excellent courses for aspiring players to play during their visit.