Facility staying in shape

Sondra Sims was in the parking lot, knocking the mud off the bottom of her golf shoes before placing them in the trunk of her car.

She had just finished an early-morning round at Las Vegas Golf Club on a glorious fall day. For Sims, this is her second home.

"I've lived here 57 years and I play here every week," she said. "To me, it's Old Faithful."

The venerable LVGC is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Built in 1938 as a nine-hole layout, the course, known to locals as "The Muni," has offered 18 holes since 1947.

And just like Las Vegas, the golf club has undergone dramatic changes. But the biggest change came in 1998 when American Golf Corporation leased the facility from the city of Las Vegas and spent $9 million the following year to upgrade the course, located at Washington Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.

A new clubhouse. Improved parking. An upgraded driving range. An overhaul of all 18 holes from tee to green. And all done while trying not to alter the original layout.

"The history of the place and the people who play golf here are what makes this place unique," said John Hilker, the regional director of the Mountain West Region for American Golf. "For the locals, this is their country club."

Hilker said the renovations made nearly a decade ago were designed to give the course a country-club feel.

"We wanted to make it a place where people felt comfortable, whether it was getting a bite to eat or playing cards," Hilker said.

Mary Pro has been coming to the course for 20 years. She has seen the changes made over time and likes them.

"It's in good shape," she said of the course, which in 2006 had 80,000 rounds played on it. "I was born and raised here, and it's really developed. I think since these guys took over from the city, the course is kept up a lot better. It was hit-and-miss when the city ran it."

Hilker said the idea of catering to the local golfer has not been lost on American Golf, which operates three other courses locally (Las Vegas National, Desert Rose and Painted Desert).

"The majority of the people who use this facility are local residents," he said. "We try to be competitive price-wise and give them good value."

For a senior resident who chooses to walk the 18 holes, the cost is $9.50. Juniors pay $14.50, and the most expensive fee for residents is $40.25 for adults who choose to use a cart and play 18 holes. Nonresidents pay $79 for 18 holes with a cart Monday through Thursday, and $99 on weekends.

"We do get some out-of-town business," Hilker said as a group of 12 visitors from Hawaii were preparing to start their round.

American Golf's lease with the city has another 50 years. Hilker said there are no major renovation plans for the future.

"We want to be a golf course for the people of Las Vegas and maintain a quality that the people deserve," he said.

Sims has no complaints.

"It's a pretty darned good course," she said. "I play here every week and it's in good shape."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.