11 days ago by Anna Dunn
If These Greens Could Talk
From the Desert Inn to Wynn, the history of golf at Wynn Las Vegas tells the iconic stories of star entertainers and players alike.
From the Desert Inn to Wynn, the history of golf at Wynn Las Vegas tells the iconic stories of star entertainers and championship golfers alike.
The history of Wynn Golf Club begins in 1952, when the Desert Inn—only the fifth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip—introduced an 18-hole, par-72 golf course on the very land where Wynn Golf Club resides today.
Back in the early days of the Desert Inn, Frank Sinatra, who made his Las Vegas debut at the resort in 1951, was a devoted golfer. Legend has it that he and fellow Rat Pack crooner Dean Martin inspired the invention of the beverage cart in the 1960s after refusing to play without a drink in hand. Today, Wynn Golf Club continues that tradition of exceptional hospitality with complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages delivered directly to players on the course. At the same time, The Tee House offers upscale grab-and-go fare and beverages.
Frank Sinatra with his agent and friend Abe Lastfogel on the then-new Desert Inn Country Club golf course in 1952. Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images
The Birth of Golf on the Las Vegas Strip
In addition to becoming a favorite retreat for Sinatra and Martin, the Desert Inn Golf Club quickly established itself as one of the premier championship golf courses on the Las Vegas Strip.
From 1953 through 1966, the course hosted the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions, welcoming many of the era's greatest golfers.
"All the best of the best golfers would have visited the Desert Inn Golf Club through the '50s and into the early '60s," says Scott Cowan, executive director of golf operations. "Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus."
The star power remains just as impressive today.
"The Desert Inn was a place where those who were the biggest in movies and music certainly liked to spend some time, and I think there's been a bit of a renaissance with that as well, with the likes of Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake spending a good amount of time here and hosting their tournaments," Cowan says, referring to the annual 8AM Golf Invitational, which has also welcomed NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
"This is a place where those who are under the spotlight like to spend time because it's a safe place for them, especially on the golf course."
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and a Legacy of Hospitality
For Cowan, that sense of privacy remains one of the defining characteristics of Wynn Golf Club.
"Our caddies relate to the person, not the persona," he says. "They understand that this is the one place where they don't have cameras on them. They're not under the light, so to speak, and they can let their hair down and be themselves and enjoy it.
"I think that's one of the things that makes us special. There's that hearkening back to when Sinatra and Martin used to go out and play golf, just the two of them, and hang out because it was a safe space for them."
In 1958, PGA Tour golfer Jerry Barber looked on as film star Jane Russell took a swing on the Desert Inn course. Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images
Wynn Golf Club Today
When Wynn Las Vegas opened in 2005, Hall of Fame golf course architect Tom Fazio designed the resort's 129-acre, 18-hole championship course. In 2019, he refreshed the layout alongside his son, Logan Fazio.
Today, Wynn Golf Club is celebrated for its pristine, undulating greens, strategic design, immaculate conditioning, and remarkable location in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
Every round also includes something many championship courses cannot offer: storytelling.
Caddies are trained not only to read greens and provide exceptional service but also to share the property's history.
"Most caddies will carry a bag or ride on the back of a cart, and they are useful," Cowan says, "but ours are trained in things like storytelling, anticipating needs, and reading the room, on top of the basic skills that every caddie needs to have, which are reading greens and providing a service."
Expansive, undulating greens are a signature of the 129-acre course set against the backdrop of the Las Vegas Strip.
More Than a Championship Golf Course
In addition to welcoming entertainers, professional athletes, and celebrities throughout the year, Wynn Golf Club serves as the backdrop for premier events, including the VGK Golf Classic, Complex Pro-Am, NBA Tees & Threes Tournament, and Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, the resort's celebrated luxury automobile exhibition.
"We are always doing our best to showcase the golf course as both a course and an event space," Cowan says.
"It's an oasis back here in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip. There's nothing else like it in Las Vegas."
Key Takeaways
- Wynn Golf Club traces its history to the Desert Inn Golf Club, which opened in 1952.
- Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were among the course's earliest celebrity regulars.
- The course hosted the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions from 1953 through 1966.
- Hall of Fame golf course architect Tom Fazio designed Wynn Golf Club in 2005 and refreshed it in 2019 with Logan Fazio.
Today, Wynn Golf Club continues to host championship golf, celebrity tournaments, and signature events, including Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
FAQ
What is the history of Wynn Golf Club?
Wynn Golf Club sits on the site of the former Desert Inn Golf Club, which opened in 1952 and became one of the most celebrated golf courses on the Las Vegas Strip.
Who played golf at the Desert Inn Golf Club?
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and many other entertainers and professional athletes have played on the property throughout its history.
Who designed Wynn Golf Club?
Hall of Fame golf course architect Tom Fazio designed Wynn Golf Club when Wynn Las Vegas opened in 2005. He later refreshed the course in 2019 with his son, Logan Fazio.
Can the public play at Wynn Golf Club?
Yes. Wynn Golf Club is open to resort guests and visitors by reservation.
What events take place at Wynn Golf Club?
In addition to daily play, Wynn Golf Club hosts premier events including the VGK Golf Classic, Complex Pro-Am, NBA Tees & Threes Tournament, and Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
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