Off-the-Strip splurge: Get the PGA Tour treatment at TPC Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas now takes place at TPC Summerlin, a private course just north of the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas PGA Tour Stop has had many sponsors and dates on the schedule since its founding in 1983.

Summerlin's now exclusive hosting of the event is a good thing for public golfers. It allows nearby TPC Las Vegas, a former host of the event as well as a Champions Tour event, to serve up a wide open tee sheet to resident and visiting golfers looking to enjoy the peak fall months of the destination's golf season. Now several weeks into fall overseed season, carts are off the paths and rye grass conditions are prime for the fall-thru-spring seasons.

Designed by Bobby Weed with player consultant Raymond Floyd, TPC Las Vegas was originally known as TPC Canyons, and the reason for that is some of the rock formations on the course that come into play, like the par-3 second hole and also the short, par-4 14th hole that features a green that teeters on the edge of a sliver of deep chasm. Red Rock Canyon National Park is also within view and lights up in the morning when on the course.

TPC Las Vegas has a small membership that serves the Summerlin-area community, but caters largely to public golf. The experience affords visitors and residents the opportunity to sample a PGA Tour-worthy facility, allowing for a much more complete golf product compared to the high-end courses on the strip like Wynn and Bali Hai Golf Club that have tighter footprints. In fact, resident pros like Ryan Moore and Charley Hoffman are regulars here when they're not on tour, using one of many practice greens located at the facility.

Another big part of the TPC Las Vegas experience is the off-course amenities. They provide four different brands of rental clubs, plus shoes and everything you need to tee it up on vacation, as part of their "No Hassle" package. On-course GPS, plus a large restaurant and locker rooms with full facilities provide all the comforts of your home club. Located about 15-20 minutes north of the Las Vegas Strip, it's also located around the corner from the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, which is more of a leisure getaway compared to the strip hotels to the south. The JW Marriott provides shuttle service to the club for its guests. Summerlin's Suncoast Hotel & Casino, recently renovated, also offers stay-and-play packages.

For those interested in both watching and playing golf in Las Vegas during the Shriners, TPC will credit $35 off your green fee towards the purchase of a ticket.