The Shriners Hospital for Children Open: A Vegas Experience
By Doug Hoff
Every casual golf fan’s guide to the most fun filled golf trip possible. Experience the best of Las Vegas and live sports all in one.
Vegas Baby Vegas!
There’s nothing quite like a live golf event, and all other live sports pale in comparison. I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Open the last two years, and it’s one of the great fan experiences on tour. Majors aside, this is the one event that every golf fan should put on their bucket list. Not only is TPC Summerlin a sight to behold, but the sponsored tents offer endless stimulation over the four days. Here’s the kicker, it’s a stone’s throw from every adult’s favorite playground, the Las Vegas strip. It’s a shame that COVID continues to rip enjoyment out of our lives. On the bright side, at least now you have a year to prepare for next year’s iteration. So, settle in folks, and mark it on your calendar for 2021 because here’s a five-step list on how to do it right:
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1. Rent a house off the strip: You’ll thank me later. There’s nothing better than waking up in a place all your own slightly off the strip with a pool while having drinks that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
2. Attend the tournament for two days: Land Thursday night and allow yourself one day to walk the course and follow some of the players. Ideally, this is Friday because you’ll have the full field still on display. The second day is made for the party tents especially the Casamigos Tent aka The Hill. They have live music, TVs galore, and other fun little games with views of multiple holes throughout the course.
3. Hang out at a Par 3 green: This is a tip for any golf tournament that you’re able to attend. Most courses will have a beverage tent nearby with chairs. You can make some closest to the pin bets with your friends, and it’s always a scene.
4. Make a dinner reservation for one night: Some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world have a home in Las Vegas so be sure to take advantage. It would be best to schedule this as early as possible in your trip because the later a Vegas trip goes, the less likely you are to wrangle your group into one place.
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5. Do one full-blown night in Vegas: The tee times are early so you’ll probably want to set aside your last night in the city as the typical “Vegas” night. Whatever floats your boat, whether it be live music, a show, gambling, or clubbing, you can find it in Vegas. Some friends and I did a Cirque du Soleil show last year which did not disappoint. This way you will have gotten your fix of the real golf and TPC Summerlin and then can throw your inhibitions to the wind on that final night.
Hopefully, we’ll be lucky enough to have a Raiders game scheduled on that Sunday next year, and attending a game at the “Death Star” will be on the table. The fact that you’re able to attend a PGA event and then have the Vegas strip at your fingertips all in one trip is the perfect storm of entertainment. This list is versatile and can be adapted for any weekend Vegas trip or any golf tournament that you may attend. I can’t stress enough how enjoyable it is to go to a live golf event. You’re arm’s length from the greatest in the world and walking some of the best golf courses on the planet. As soon as we’re allowed back in public gatherings, be sure to make any PGA event in your area a must-see. See you all there in 2021!