With the weather cooling down to just about perfect, Arizona isn’t the only desert golf experience on the radars of many. The bright lights of Las Vegas were calling, and a short 50-minute plane ride later, I was wheels down in Sin City, ready to play 18 and stay on 17.

With so many outstanding options in metropolitan Las Vegas, I decided to go for an all-encompassing golf experience at Angel Park. Located just 20 minutes from the Strip, Angel Park has got it all: Two Arnold Palmer-designed championship 18-hole tracks, a lighted par 3 Cloud Nine short course and a lighted putting course for play at night. Add that to the full-service Nino’s Kitchen and fully-stocked bar, Weddings at Angel Park Event Lawn and reception hall, well-appointed golf shop and meeting spaces – and there is literally no reason to be anywhere else.

“We try to give our outstanding patrons plenty to choose from when they come to Angel Park,” said General Manager David Bogue. “Golf is one of the main reasons to come out, but it’s definitely not the only one. We host special events, conferences, junior golf clinics and tournaments among other events. And feedback from our visitors has been overwhelmingly positive.”

I wanted to give myself a test on a beautiful mid-November day, so I tackled the Palm and Mountain courses one after the other, with a pit stop at Nino’s in between. The first thing that stuck out to me was the conditions – vibrant green fairways and rough manicured perfectly against the off-white desert wash. I thought overseeding had been kind to Angel Park, until a beverage car attendant told me this was how it looked year-round.

“Our agronomy and maintenance staff takes a lot of pride in our jobs,” said Angel Park Regional Superintendent Jeremy Adkins. “The goal is to have the same conditions in March and July as they are in November, and the past few years we have been able to accomplish that.”

Playing the Palm course, I was cruising right along through my round until I reached the 525-yard par 5 6th hole. Set up to carry a ravine around 300 yards from the tee, I bombed my drive down the middle of the fairway, leaving myself 250 yards or so to the pin. Well, I didn’t come to Las Vegas to lay up, so out came three wood. Let’s just say my ball went 250 yards: Around 175 straight and another 75 right – and out of bounds. I carded a double bogey, learning a valuable lesson at Angel Park – a bit of course management at Angel Park will put you in a position to succeed, so don’t get greedy.

As is the case with so many other courses located in the foothills, the starter told me the secret to putting at Angel Park was that everything breaks away from the mountains, and in this case 95% of my putts went directly toward the Stratosphere Tower. The greens ran smoothly at around 11 on the Stimpmeter, and after a few more bogeys than pars the rest of the way, my Palm course 82 seemed well-earned.

After a delicious burger and beer between rounds, I headed across the street for a date with the Mountain course. Tougher in reputation, it was just as beautiful as the Palm course, and maybe even a little more photogenic, if that’s possible. Finishing each nine with an approach shot over water added to the challenge of rolling fairways and undulating greens. My ball only found the water on the 425-yard par 4 9th, so staying dry on 18 capped a great day of golfing rather appropriately.

“It’s a great time to be at Angel Park, that’s for sure,” said Bogue. “Both of our golf courses are in the best shape they’ve been in quite some time. Our lighted short course and putting courses are local favorites. And, our wedding venue is one of the most popular in town.”

I came to Las Vegas looking for a great time, both on and off the golf course. Angel Park definitely made for a great host, and I can’t wait to come back for another crack at the holes that got me this trip. To take on these beauties for yourself, head to www.angelpark.com, or call 888.446.5358. The website is updated regularly with specials and always has the lowest rates with no booking fees.