Amid all of the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, one of the hidden treasures when it comes to quality golf where families and groups are catered to is the Angel Park Golf Club in the suburb of Summerlin. Although perhaps flying under the radar--and it isn’t operated by one of the big-name casinos in town-- Angel Park offers an array of Stay and Play Packages with local hotels and in itself is an outstanding 36-hole facility that offers two Arnold-Palmer designed 18-hole tracks—the Palms and the Mountain Courses—plus a 12-hole short course that is excellent for beginners, families or short-game tune-ups, plus an expansive, lighted practice tee and a natural grass putting course that rivals anything in the area.

Angel Park was named “Best Golf Course” in Las Vegas in the 29th annual Best of Las Vegas ® Reader’s Poll conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Taking top honors for the 13th consecutive year and 15 of the past 16 years, Angel Park maintained its popularity with the readers of Las Vegas’ largest daily newspaper.

“This award really means a lot to us,” said David Stead, Director of Golf for Angel Park Golf Club.  “We work very hard to ensure that our guests thoroughly enjoy their golf experience.”   Although the lion’s share of votes came from the Las Vegas area, thanks to the Internet, they also received votes from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Cayman Islands, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain and the United Kingdom, to name a few.

Angel Park also was named one of the “Top 50 Courses in America for Women” by Golf Digest this year, an award that the operators of the course are very proud of.

“When one takes a look at the demographic profile of golfers, they’ll see that the female contingent is the fastest growing group,” said Phil Green, President of OB Sports, management firm for Angel Park Golf Club. “And that makes perfect sense.  Golf is a game for a lifetime that requires skill, integrity and coordination, not a lot of physical strength. The handicap system and multiple teeing areas allow players of all levels to enjoy the game together.  It’s an ideal family-oriented activity with a ton of inspiring role models at the LPGA club level and tour level.”

Each of the 18-hole layouts offer four sets of tees—with the Palms ranging from 6,525 yards (Par 70) to its forward tees at 4,570 yards. The tougher Mountain Course goes 6,722 from the tips (Par 71) to the forward markers at 5,150 yards. This course takes its inspiration from the striking views of the nearby Red Rock and Spring Mountain ranges, and meanders through relatively flat, rolling terrain and high-desert vegetation.

Playing in the shadow of the Suncoast Hotel and Casino, the Mountain Course seems to be popular with both locals and visitors to the Las Vegas area and features some tricky greens that can use some of that local knowledge. It is a fun track where driver is a good-bet on just about every Par 4 or Par 5, with five of the Par 4’s stretching to more than 400-yards in length from the back tees. You don’t have to be a long hitter to score from the back tees, however, but a good short game is critical.

The Par 5 17th-hole is intriguing with a native area that cuts across the fairway, so a solid drive is imperative to get a par here, while the 18th-finishing hole features water all down the right side and is one of the more scenic on the course.

The Palms Course is known for its long Par 3 holes—three of the five stretch more than 200 yards—with carries over water or desert on most of them. The Par 4’s present golfers with differing yardages and intriguing hazards that place a premium on club selection, distance control and creative shot-making.

For those looking to vacation on a budget, you can stay at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino next door for one night AND play Angel Park all for $49 per-person (double occupancy). This summer special runs through the end of September, 2010. There probably isn’t a better vacation value than this in Las Vegas, especially for a golf facility that is so well regarded.

For more information, visit: www.angelpark.com

Story By Terry Ross