Wine lovers have a tasty golf session in store

Oenophiles, please take note.

There's a new trend popping up in the golf world and in Las Vegas in particular, which I find very cheering. I'm all for it, and I believe you will find it to your liking as well. More on this later.

OB Sports is a professional golf course management, development and consulting company that handles four courses here: Angel Park Golf Club, Aliante Golf Club, The Legacy Golf Club and The Chase at Coyote Springs. So I was more than pleased to finish this quartet with a recent round at The Legacy course.

The Legacy, built in 1989, was designed by Arthur Hills, whose only other work I'm familiar with is the Half Moon Bay Golf Links Ocean Course in California. The Legacy, a par-72, plays to 7,233 yards from the tips with a rating of 74.0 and a slope of 139. From the more playable white tees, the course extends to more than 6,200 yards, a 68.8/ 123 setup. The track features contouring and sloping fairways which management considers reminiscent of the classic Scottish links.

The signature 10th hole, also the easiest hole on the course, is a par-3, 193-yard hole called The Suits. Here the tee boxes are shaped like suits from a card deck. Protecting the green is a patch of desert landscaping backed up by a sand trap defending the right side. The tee shot here needs to be right on.

Next up is the "Devil's Triangle," a stretch of holes, the 10th, 11th and 12th, that forms a triangle. Of interest to the big hitters is the 381-yard 12th hole. It's a severe dogleg left. A long hitter can cut the corner and be rewarded with a short approach shot leading to a bird. The rest of us must be conservative.

The course is in great shape after over-seeding, and golfers will enjoy the play.

OB Sports has long been a leader in the marketing of golf. Through its OB Sports Card, for $149, golfers receive discounted greens fees, not only for themselves but also for up to three guests per visit. Other amenities include complimentary driving range passes, complimentary putting course passes, exclusive cardholder events and specials, discounted apparel, golf clubs and accessories and free golf tournaments.

Upgrading to the Platinum Club, with an initiation fee and monthly dues, rewards you with unlimited golf, advance reservations, unlimited accompanied guest rounds at reduced rates and privileges at Angel Park and Aliante.

And now for that new trend-setting development. Why not combine the best of everything -- golf, wine and ambience -- for a new dimension of relaxation?

I can't think of anywhere more pleasant to spend time than a golf course. And we all like happy hours, sipping your choice of beverage. See where this trend is heading?

I first noted this phenomenon at Bear's Best Golf Club's recent on-course wine tasting and golf outing. Play golf, taste wine. Perfect.

The next time I saw this was during a weekend wine trip to Paso Robles, Calif. Veris Winery has a line of collectible Ben Hogan wines, noting that Ben had the "purest swing" in golf, as do their wines. Well, overlooking the Ben Hogan vineyard is a four-place driving range where tasters can drive balls into the vineyard while sipping the great wines. Perfect.

And OB Sports is again the local leader. In addition to normal happy hour promotions, Angel Park started the 5-2-8 happy hours this summer. Enjoy the ambiance of the course at happy hour prices. Perfect. Throw in live music on Tuesdays and bingo. Perfect. Note: The season-ending 5-2-8 is tonight, Nov. 8.

And now The Legacy Golf Club is getting into the act. Along with normal happy hour activities, the course recently held "The Battle," a contest between California and Washington wineries. Four different wines were featured accompanied by tapas by chef David.

And on Nov. 18 is Octoberfest, an exclusive beer tasting matched with great food. For more information, call 897-2187.

How do you feel about this trend? Why not trade in the regular happy hours and spend some serene time overlooking a golf course sipping beverages?

You can thank me later.

John Asay is a longtime golfer and local freelance writer. Contact him at jasay@reviewjournal.com.