Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/165363
iG1308--proof2 8/29/13 3:00 PM Page 1 BUCKET LIST GOLF WITH LISA LONGBALL Viva LAS VEGAS I have travelled with my sticks to McCarran airport in Las Vegas a dozen times and not once have I ever teed it up in Sin City. I usually am heading straight to Mesquite, Nevada for the ReMax World Long Drive Championships. Well not this time. This time Vegas is the destination and golf is the primary focus. I left Calgary in freezing temperatures and blowing snow. It was above 70 degrees when I landed in Vegas and the strip was humming. It was straight to the hotel. I stayed at the Aria for the first time and was impressed with its elegant and cosmopolitan feel. I tried the delectable tappas restaurant adjacent to the lobby, Julian Serrano's. Wonderful vibe and perfect for sharing. It was up early the next day for the first round at Angel Park which boasts 36 holes of Championship golf on their Palms and Mountain courses both designed by Arnold Palmer. The facility also has a unique 12-hole short course aptly named "Cloud Nine" as nine of the holes are lit each evening for night play along with a lighted natural grass, 9-hole putting course complete with bunkers, rough and doglegs. It was a fun track that doesn't beat you up, perfect for the snowweary golfer escaping to the sun. It is funny that even though you can be a star at the driving range all winter it doesn't always translate to mid-season form on the course. The views of the Las Vegas strip and the stunning Red Rock Canyon will help distract you from any missed shots. With the early time I was able to be back at the hotel pool side by 1 pm. The music was pumping and beautiful bikini-clad servers were bringing cold drinks and snacks. The cabanas were full of hooting, hollering and cheering for NCAA March Madness games. This is apparently one of the busiest weekends in Vegas. The guys were happy to watch basketball, drink cold ones and huddle around any available screen. The night was Japanese-inspired cuisine at BarMasa where I had sake for the first time since university. Food is sliced and diced on a hot grill directly in front of you and you feel as though you have a personal chef for the evening. A fabulous dining experience. Then it was off to the tables. On a previous girls' trip to Vegas I learned how to play roulette. I played for three hours that night and was up $100. I clearly don't roll large but it was such fun not to lose money at the tables. The next day it was off to The Legacy course designed by Arthur Hills. It is an 18-hole track that features multi-tiered fairways and large undulating greens. There are a few holes that can feel narrow and an errant tee shot will be punished. It plays an impressive 7,233 yards Continued On Next Page IMAGE CREDIT ANTON VLOOSWYK / COURTESY WWW.LISALONGBALL.COM 14 IMAGE COURTESY OB SPORTS IMAGE COURTESY ARIA RESORT IMAGE COURTESY ARIA RESORT IMAGE COURTESY OB SPORTS BY LISA "LONGBALL" VLOOSWYK