Wolf Creek Golf Club, Mesquite, Nevada - A Course That's Been Called ``Nevada's Ultimate Golf Experience''

Wolf Creek Golf Club is carved out of the Nevada desert in the northeast corner of Mesquite, where green fairways wind through valleys nestled between russet-colored mountains and rugged desert terrain. As expected for such a venue, the course features elevation changes of up to 100 feet, accompanied by some spectacular views.

The 18-hole, par-72 layout, which opened in 2000, plays to 7,018 yards from the longest tees. From the "Challenger Tees,'' the course sports a USGA rating of 75.4 and a slope rating of 154, ranking it as one of the most difficult in the country. From the "Masters'' (White) tees, it's a much more friendly rating of 68.2 and slope rating of 134.

On such a course, many holes vie for the word "signature,'' and some of the more noteworthy holes include No. 3. This par-3 hole plays up to 227 yards from the longest tees, and 175 yards from both the Blue and White tees. It's all carry over rugged desert terrain, and the hole tends to play much longer than the yardage, to an elevated green guarded by bunkers and a sloping left side.

Hole No. 7 is one of the most scenic on the course and requires some strategy off the tee. A short par-4, this hole plays to only 302 yards from the longest tees and a drivable 263 from the White tees. The problem is the wide stream that cuts in front of the green, which is further guarded by two large bunkers on the right.

Hole No. 8 is another picturesque and challenging par-3. The hole plays to a lengthy 248yards from the back tees, but a much more manageable 152 from the Whites. The putting surface is nestled amid rocky hills and surrounded by a stream that arcs around it, making it essentially a peninsula green.

Hole No. 14 is the most photographed on the course. This par-4 plays to 444 yards from the back tees and 367 yards from the Whites. What makes it so picturesque and challenging is a curving fairway that sits upon a plateau and is guarded by six large successive fairway bunkers on the left, inward part of the curve. Further left is a steep drop-off into some rugged, rocky terrain, which gets even steeper around the green.

Upon reaching Hole No. 17, players might forget they're playing a desert course, as water comes very much into play. This par-5 hole plays to 562 yards from the back tees and a respectable 511 yards from the Whites. The fairway is divided into two landing areas by a creek that cuts across it, and from the second area golfers take aim at a peninsula green fronted by a wide stream.

Wolf Creek has received a good deal of acclaim over the years, including being named America's Best New Course by Golf Digest in 2002. It also has the distinction of being one of the featured courses, and the only one from Nevada, to be featured in the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 computer golf game.

The course also features a 14,500-square-foot clubhouse with breathtaking views of the course and fine dining in the Terrace Restaurant.