Columnist Peter Benton: Southern Highlands looking impressive

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000 | 9:25 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Southern Highlands Golf Club, the highly anticipated new private club under development just minutes south of the Strip, is continuing to evolve and the course's personality is beginning to emerge.

Though still weeks away from completion, it is anticipated the course should be ready for play at the beginning of April, according to Garry Goett, the club's president.

"I am very pleased with the results we are seeing," Goett said. "Our main objective, and the thing we've been most focused on throughout the process, is ensuring that Southern Highlands delivers the level of quality our members expect from the golf experience. From that standpoint, we're right on track."

"We want the opening to be perfect, something our members will always remember, and we are not going to rush it by even one day," he added. "We believe it is far better to take our time and open the course in ideal condition."

As of this writing, the majority of the golf course construction has been completed. The holes have been sodded, and most of the water features have been filled. Likewise, crews are continuing to plant trees (there will be 7,000) and landscape the entire facility. The exterior of the very impressive clubhouse has been completed and the interior finishings are being worked upon.

When completed, the clubhouse will provide a full-service golf shop, golf caddies, locker rooms, shoeshine and valet service, a steam room, sauna and whirlpool, a business center and a golf library.

Southern Highlands Golf Club, located in southwest Las Vegas near I-15 and Lake Mead Drive, was designed through a collaboration between Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and his legendary father, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. This golf club marks only the third time during their storied careers the father-and-son team has worked together.

Southern Highlands Golf Club is the centerpiece of a new 2,300-acre master-planned community under development by Southern Highlands Development Corporation. Membership in the club is by invitation only.

Interested parties may contact the Southern Highlands office at 263-1000 or toll free at (877) 261-1010.

* NEW ASSIGNMENT: Dennis Alexander, former general manager of the Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert, Calif., has been appointed general manager of the aforementioned Southern Highlands Golf Club.

Alexander, who earned a bachelor of science degree in recreation administration from California State University, brings with him a wealth of experience and is well known for his professionalism and dedication to serving members. His experience and leadership capabilities will make him an invaluable to a team that is shaping up to be one of Nevada's best.