Las Vegas golf packages can heat up the frigid winter months

The cold winter months are swiftly approaching, and for many golfers this is one of the most depressing times of the year. Time to put away the clubs and slog through another season of cold, snowy and damp weather. Time to say goodbye to your golf jones until spring.

Of course, there are alternatives that we're all aware of. Take Las Vegas, for instance. While the term "golf mecca" is terribly overused, if there ever was a place that could be considered a mecca for golf, it would have to be Sin City. Of course, none of this is a secret. Especially in winter, Las Vegas is packed with golfers ready, willing and able to make the trip to this desert oasis. And while prices can skyrocket, there's one simple way to save money while getting your tee times set up - the golf package.

At LasVegasGolf.com, they have several different golf packages for you to choose from that will save money and time and have you preparing for the trip of your life. Here's a look at a couple packages.

Vegas Double-Down Golf Package

Las Vegas is well known for its sprawling, nearly surreal hotels, and the MGM Grand captures the majesty and luxury of Sin City perfectly. With more than 5,000 rooms, a bustling, modern casino, numerous top-flight restaurants and entertainment options right on the famed Las Vegas Strip, you'll have the perfect home base for your golfing excursion.

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The three-day, two-night Vegas Double-Down Golf Package will have you staying in luxury and playing in style as you'll have rounds at Revere at Anthem - Concord and Silverstone Golf Course.

The Concord is a Billy Casper and Greg Nash designed course that received a four-and-a-half out of five rating from Golf Digest and measures out at just over 7,000 yards from the back tees.

Silverstone Golf Club offers golfers three separate nines, along with a "28th hole" near the clubhouse. A run that's always been well known to locals, Silverstone has recently been working to give players even more.

"The first thing you notice when you visit Silverstone is how it's striving to be a better golf course," wrote Chris Baldwin in a review of the course. "A new management team is trying to change the way people think of Silverstone, and the quest isn't based on catchy marketing slogans. It's all about the course."

Price Range: $217 - $278 per night.

For more info, call (866) 456-9912.

High Roller Vegas Golf Package

Feeling lucky? You will after a three-night, two-day stay at Mandalay Bay, which is fresh off a sprawling $150-million renovation. Not only will luxury and glitter be your companion at this spectacular hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, but you'll also have numerous dining options, and entertainment that includes the legendary House of Blues.

Click here for more information on Las Vegas golf packages. Click here for a free package quote. Tee times: (866) 456-9912

For golf, the High Roller Vegas Golf Package also delivers, with a choice of two rounds at Rio Secco, Bali Hai Golf Club and the Falls course at Lake Las Vegas.

Rio Secco offers players a layout designed by none other than Rees Jones, while The Falls course at Lake Las Vegas will put you on a Tom Weiskopf-designed masterpiece. Bali Hai, meanwhile, is the only championship course located right on the Strip, and will have you playing a tropical wonderland with seven water features, including its signature island green.

Price Range: $302 - $367 per night.

For more info, call (702) 577-2220.

Angel Park & Legacy Remove Turf to Lower Water Usage

OB Sports Golf Management, the operator of Angel Park and the Legacy Golf Clubs in Las Vegas, recently completed an ambitious turf-removal project intended to limit the amount of out-of-play turf at these golf facilities. The project was conducted in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Approximately 70 acres of turf were removed at Angel Park, a nearly 28 percent reduction of turf overall at the 36-hole facility, while 50 acres were removed at Legacy.

"Despite public perception, golf courses are very efficient users of water," said Phil Green, president of OB Sports. "We have computerized irrigation systems; well-schooled agronomists and superintendents on staff; sophisticated weather monitoring systems that help us efficiently manage water consumption; and a number of years ago we converted from potable water to effluent. Although that's a great start, we are still looking for ways to conserve water and this project is certainly helping us accomplish that goal."

Green explained that Angel Park and Legacy were built in the late 1980's when water was less of a critical issue in Clark County, yet OB Sports has always been extremely conscious with efficient irrigation practices. Now with Southern Nevada in a drought, replacing the turf with desert/xeriscape landscaping is the responsible thing to do.

Roughly 70 acres of turf were removed from Angel Park's two courses and nearly 50 from the 18-hole golf course at the Legacy Golf Club. Since the turf was removed from out-of-play areas, all the courses remained open to public play during the process.

"The new 'Southwest Desert' look has received rave reviews by the golfers," said Bill Rohret, director of maintenance at Angel Park Golf Club. "Some of the regulars have literally stopped me out on the golf course to compliment our work. But not only does it look great, we estimate that we will conserve somewhere around 80 million gallons of water per year."

In the end, the project will improve several aspects of play, including making the courses more visually appealing and appearing like a modern redesign. Although there is less turf, the removal focuses on out-of-play areas where average golfers don't hit anyway. Time spent to play a round should decrease as golf balls will be easier to find in a desert environment than in long rough. Plus, in some areas the turf was removed and sloping mounds were formed in place of the turf to allow errant shots to bounce or roll back onto the playing surface.

Angel Park Golf Club is a 36-hole facility in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Its Mountain Course and Palm Course were both designed by Arnold Palmer. The club also has the 12-hole Cloud Nine Short Course as well as the world’s first natural-grass putting course and an expansive practice area - all lighted for evening play. For more information about Angel Park Golf Club, call 702/254-4653 or visit www.angelpark.com.

The Legacy Golf Club stretches 7,233 yards from the tips and is located 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport. Its 10th hole may be the most recognizable in Las Vegas, with tee boxes in the shape of a spade, club, diamond and heart. The rest of the course is memorable as well, especially the "Devil’s Triangle" - holes 11, 12 and 13, which is crisscrossed with desert canyons and lava outcroppings. For tee times or more information, call 702/897-2187 or visit www.thelegacygc.com.

Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --Reno Chapter is Recipient

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has begun the 2008 golf season awarding teaching grants totaling $90,000 to 18 chapters of The First Tee representing 14 states.

To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.

Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.