Eagle Crest

The heady heights of Eagle Crest mountain play host to one of the most ambitious and scenic championship golf courses to be found along the rim of Las Vegas. Nestled amid a purpose-built retirement community in the city of Summerlin, Eagle Crest Golf Club connotes a tranquility and casual air, that neither of it's sister courses (Highland Falls and Palm Valley) come close to matching. This is an executive public course just calling to be played.

Launched in 1995, following the success of Highland Falls, the Eagle Crest course sought to offer something a little different to the classic desert par-72, while maintaining the vision of Billy Casper and Greg Nash. Inspired by the throw of mountain silhouettes onto the rippling plateau, the development duo created a dream-scape of gently fluctuating troughs and slopes, punctuated by vast ornamental water features and sloping bunkers. Surprisingly, the Eagle Crest Golf Course lays on less of a challenge than it's counterparts, with a par-60 and 90 slope rating.

At 4,067 yards from the tips, Eagle Crest might feel a little bijou after playing the 6,849 yard Palm Valley stretch, yet it more than makes up for the shortage with truly delightful opportunities. A total of six par-4 holes and twelve par-3's keep the momentum of Eagle Crest a leisurely one. The scenic 6th is regarded the signature at 589-yards; the broad fairway gives way to a behemoth lake, featuring a cascading waterfall and a quantitative supply of ducks. If the yacking laughter of mallards doesn't break your concentration, the scenery just might.

Integral to Eagle Crest's continued popularity has been it's upkeep. Rarely do you find a mountainside gem that hasn't been allowed to mature into it's wilder self and this is a defining characteristic of the entire Summerlin trifecta. Deep roughs, fast greens and the sophistication of a millionaire's landscaped back garden call forth golfers of every handicap – with the bonus of unspoilt views across the entirety of Summerlin.

Eagle Crest (2203 Thomas Ryan Boulevard, Las Vegas). (Rating 60.2; Slope 96; Yards 4,067; Fee $45)One of the five courses designed by Greg Nash and Billy Casper in the Las Vegas area. A short course with twelve par 3’s and six par 4’s. Located in Sun City, a community of Summerlin. (US 95 north to Lake Mead exit, going west to a left on Ryan Boulevard. ½ mile on the right.)