When you check in at the pro shop, the staff greet you there by saying, “Welcome Home!” and handing you a bottle of water.  I felt like I belong here. Everybody I met was friendly, helpful, and seemed to truly enjoy what they were doing.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my rental clubs were actually really nice Srixon set. The rental package includes premium clubs, two sleeves of balls, and a bag of tees. I knew then that I couldn’t blame today’s score on poor rental equipment.

A Truly Enjoyable Course

The track at Sunrise Vista plays about 7200 from the tips on a mostly flat, easily walkable course. I appreciated that the course didn’t punish me for slightly bad shots. Most times that I wasn’t in the fairway, I wasn’t in trouble. Trees exist here, but don’t abound.

It’s a well-designed course with challenges for every skill level. Your course management skills will come into play when considering doglegs, ponds, bunkers and narrow fairways in places. This course rewards you with beautiful views of distant mountains one way and the Las Vegas skyline another.

My most fun hole here is number 8, a scenic and relatively straightforward short Par 3. For the average golfer it's anywhere between 100 and 120 yards. The green wider than it is long and protected by a huge bunker that goes across the entire front of the green. It's probably a wedge or 9 for most people, but you've got to carry that bunker. Today, you can call me Birdie Bob here.

My most challenging hole was the signature hole, number 18. Picture a long Par 5 to end the round, complete with dogleg, trees, a pond, and a tiered green. It’s truly a thing of beauty. You’ll need your shot picking and course management skills here. If you miscalculate on cutting the corner, and you’re in bunkers or trees. Then you’ve gotta carry that pond in front of the green. There’s no running it up to the green like I am prone to do sometimes. I’m not the longest hitter around, splashed one in the pond, and ended by round with a snowman in the desert. No matter, it was a great time on a great course.

Air Shows

Did I mention that as an added bonus, you’re likely to get a free air show while you’re playing? Nellis is home to training and fighter wings, and also the USAF Thunderbirds. It’s nice that the Sound of Freedom can drown out your buddies making fun of your swing. Just don’t get too mesmerized like I did and get tagged for slow play from taking too much time watching these amazing machines. 

The People Make The Place
After my round, I had an awesome buffalo chicken wrap at the Champion's Grille. They've got a very diverse menu, from favorites to healthy, to daily specials that are served up hot and quick. The staff is super friendly and efficient. They have to be efficient with the traffic they get. Several locals echoed that this is the best food on the base.

I had the opportunity to talk with Anthony Frederick, General Manager of this awesome place. When I complimented him about the friendly staff greeting, he shared how that came to be standard, "I was just sitting in the office listening to it and I'm like that's it I love it." You can tell when the management of a place is good when all the staff is happy and friendly.

More Than Just Golf
In addition to a great, all-turf driving range and huge practice green, there's lots more here. They run a pool area with Nellis Outdoor Recreation. You can swim for free or rent a cabana for the day. Groups rent out the area for events and enjoy onsite grilled food.

Facility Facts
• Length - 7051 yards  Slope - 115  Rating - 71.7
• Year Built 1962
• Architects - Ted Robinson, Sr. (1962)  Stephen Halsey, Jack Daray, Jr.