Forty-five minutes south of the Strip, Primm Valley has two Tom Fazio courses, the Lakes and the Desert. The Lakes is more of a resort course; the Desert is for better golfers. Both cost $200, but the Desert plays longer and has a higher Course Rating. The Lakes has trees, waterfalls and feels more manufactured in a desert setting. I loved the back-to-back par 5s on the front nine of the Desert course. Typically, the seventh hole is downwind and reachable with two good shots. The eighth hole plays back into the fan and might not be reachable if you hit four perfect shots.
The sportsbook at the MGM Grand.
Our first choice for lodging was Mandalay Bay because I'd heard it had a bright atmosphere, high ceilings and a classy crowd. We planned our trip in February, which was too late, so we stayed in adjoining rooms at the MGM. It was more affordable than other options on the Strip (standard room rates in March are $179 to $269 per night), and I heard the MGM had just finished a renovation of its sportsbook. It attracted a college crowd in school colors and the occasional face-painter to its wall of massive flat screens. When we were forced to forage, we found two meals at the MGM. Shibuya served top-shelf sushi with an over-the-top presentation. Our favorite meal of the trip was at Craftsteak.
As for my bets on basketball, Portland State missed that last-second three-pointer, so Kansas covered -- the start and end of my winning streak. Oh, well. It's never too early to start planning for next year. Oddsmakers have it at even money that we're going to Vegas again. Last March, the Nevada sportsbooks' take from college hoops was $240 million. Next time, my friends and I are determined to win a race and beat the races.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
BUTCH HARMON'S BASICS
(OF LAS VEGAS)
Favorite restaurant? "I'm a steak guy, so I like the Palm at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. I get the New York strip, Pittsburgh rare with sauteed mushrooms, a good bottle of red wine, and I'm in heaven." Golf course? "If you're willing to pay $500, Cascata is the finest golf experience in town." Sportsbook? "Green Valley Ranch in Henderson."
OFF THE STRIP
If the Strip isn't your thing, stay and play at the Red Rock Casino. There's a modern motif in the rooms, and the bathing suits on the waitresses (above) at the Sandbar make for a walk-stopping scene by the pool. If you're hungry, T-Bones will solve your stomach problem.
BEAT THE LINES
If you can't beat the oddsmakers, you can beat the long lines at the betting windows of the MGM by going across the street to the Tropicana. The modest sportsbook is still run by hand, and there's rarely a wait.
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