Hello there friends, Mark your calendars and save the dates. It’s time to start planning for our annual Las Vegas Golf Getaway. Those of you who attended the last one, know just how much fun it was. With a total of 19 golfers, it became our largest turnout so far. Everyone really enjoyed socializing at dinner and partaking in two very pleasurable rounds of golf. Both courses were difficult (to say the least), but majestic and gorgeous. Mesquite however, was a bit of a drive (75 miles northeast of Vegas). So, we thought this year we would move back in a little closer to the action, known as the Las Vegas Strip. Checking around, I believe we have managed to find a couple of real gems. Both of these golf courses are rated 4.5 Stars. As a reference, the two places we played on the second getaway, were 3 Star courses (Rhodes Ranch & Tuscany). Both were nice, but these are much nicer. The two facilities we will be playing at are managed and run by Troon Golf, renowned for their meticulously groomed courses. The first golf establishment on our agenda is titled, The Revere at Anthem. Utilizing the patriotic theme, Revere has two courses, the Lexington and the Concord. We will be playing the course with the higher difficulty factor/slope rating…The Lexington. On the second day, our next challenge will be to play target golf, ala desert style, on a very tough layout known as “The Badlands”. This year we have made some slight changes regarding our golf dates. Golfing will be on Sunday (3/22) and Monday (3/23). Travel days will be Saturday (3/21) and Tuesday (3/24). You will need to take Monday and Tuesday off, but by shifting the golf over to these days, we save hundreds of dollars on green fees and hotel reservations. Golf Date: Sunday – March 22, 2009 Monday – March 23, 2009 Place: The Revere at Anthem Badlands Golf Course Lexington Course Desperado/Diablo Courses Henderson, Nevada Summerlin, Nevada First Tee Time: 10:00 AM 9:00 AM Both of the golf courses are located near the Las Vegas Strip (one south and one west). As you well know, there are plenty of Hotels/Casinos in the area to chose from. If you would like to stay with the group, I have booked a block of 15 rooms at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (Saturday 3/21 - $186, Sunday 3/22 - $98 & Monday 3/23 - $175, these prices include the 9% hotel tax). The prices listed are per room, which means should you decide to share a room with a friend, your individual cost would be half of that. A third person may be added for $30 per night. If you want to stay at the Rio, let me know. First come…first serve. ( As always, this trip is open to friends and family. If you are planning on attending and know of someone else that might be interested, feel free to send them the info and extend an invitation. I have reserved 24 tee times (6 consecutive foursomes). Same condition as with the rooms at the Rio. Once they’re filled, I cannot guarantee any more.

In summary, here is the plan. Saturday (3/21/08) is a travel day. If you chose to stay with the group, we will be spending three nights at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (approximately 2 blocks west of the strip – just on the other side of US 15). Golfing will be on Sunday morning at Revere and Monday morning at the Badlands. Once again, by popular demand, a group dinner is planned, at Yolie’s Brazilian Steakhouse on Monday night ( As in years past, travel arrangements and hotel accommodations are optional. Group dinners on Saturday and Sunday nights can be arranged as well. This will probably be discussed within the group, after the sign ups. If you have any questions, feel free to inquire, Lad Meairs (home) or Phones: (925) (home) or (408) ext 330 (work) or (925) (cell) Terms of Agreement: To get the group tee times and a discounted rate at both golf courses, I had to sign a contract for each course (minimum of 16 golfers at both golf courses) making a $500 non- refundable deposit. To hold a block of rooms at the Rio, I also had to put down a $500 deposit (minimum of 10 rooms). Please make up your mind by January. I have to pay in full, 30 days prior to our scheduled dates (money due by February 20 th...sooner would be just fine). I need your official commitment and green fees by that NLT date. If you need to wait and settle up in March, I can carry it on my credit card, but you will need to honor your commitment. Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino The all-suite Las Vegas Rio overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip, and provides complimentary shuttle service to the Strip. Constructed of blue and red glass, the Rio All- Suite Hotel and Casino emulates the Brazil Carnivale atmosphere with a complimentary show featuring suspended floats and colorful performers. Every room is a suite at the Rio! The Rio hosts more than 2,500 suites, providing spectacular views of Las Vegas. Every suite offers more than 600 square feet of spacious luxury, including a separate dressing area, couch, 32-inch TV, table with chairs, hairdryer, and in-suite refrigerator. Hotel amenities include the 20 retail shops, 13 dining outlets, 120,000 square feet of gaming, and Masquerade Show in the Sky-a $25 million indoor-entertainment attraction performed free to the public. Ozone Oxygen Bar, All American Bar and Grille, Antonio's, Buzios, Carnival World Buffet, Fiore Steakhouse, Gaylord India Restaurant, Hamada Asiana Restaurant, the Tilted Kilt, Mah Jong Chinese Noodle Bar, Sao Paulo Cafe, Sports Kitchen, Village Seafood Buffet, Flirt, Voodoo Lounge, the new Cafe Matorano Las Vegas, and many other dining, snack, and beverage venues are at the hotel W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV Rio All-Suites Hotel

Website: Place: Revere at Anthem Date: Sunday - March 22, 2009 Course: Lexington Tee Time: 10:00 AM (first group) Location: Henderson, Nevada Price $ GOLF Magazine named Revere's Lexington course -- the par-72, 7,143-yard Lexington -- one of the top new courses in America in The Lexington course was designed by PGA Tour Hall-of-Famer Billy Casper and Phoenix-based architect Greg Nash. This course plays well and looks good. With dramatic elevation changes, a superbly maintained tournament-caliber course, lavish practice facilities and a glass-walled mountaintop clubhouse with sublime views of the valley, The Revere Golf Club in upscale Anthem delivers an unforgettable golf experience. Impeccably manicured greens and fairways are the rule, in any season, and guests will soon note how many holes play along some of the highest points in the valley. There's an enchanting view in one or more directions on virtually every hole, a view that stretches to snow-capped Mount Charleston in the west, the glittering Vegas Strip to the north and the surrounding mountains everywhere. The views are enhanced by many elevated teeing areas that also give players a gratifying perch from which to view shots climbing against the dramatic backdrops. Typically buttressed by huge boulders, many of the broad tees are architectural marvels, along with the contoured brick retaining walls that frame many of the fairways cut through canyons embroidered by thousands of colorful desert plants. The Lexington (rating/slope: 73.6/139) plays tough and offers a taste of everything: par 3's from 166 to 238 yards; par 4's from 379 to 442 yards; and par 5's from 489 all the way up to 625 yards. No. 11 plays a monstrous 625 yards, but from the tee it's more beautiful than intimidating. Two crosscut fairways run through a canyon some 80 feet below the tee box. Hitting the wider right side allows for a clear second shot to the lay-up area on the dogleg-left design, but a shot to the narrower left side opens up the green and even can offer a chance to reach it in two. The elevated putting surface is protected by sand bunkers front right and back. Lexington's toughest rated hole is No. 3, a 442-yard par 4. The fairway is heavily bunkered right, while the green is guarded by several grass bunkers along its right side and desert encroaching from the left. No. 17 is a 166-yard par-3 to a long but narrow green that's fronted by a waterfall, backed by a pond and guarded by two large bunkers left and in back. It's a knee-knocker for anyone and one of the prettiest par 3's in the valley.

Website: Place: Badlands Golf Course Date: Monday - March 23, 2009 Course: Desperado/Diablo Tee Time: 9:00 AM (first group) Location: Summerlin, Nevada Price $ The Badlands Golf Club epitomizes Las Vegas area golf. Nothing comes easy in this town. You win some and you lose some. Your psyche will be challenged somewhere along the way. But win or lose, you will come away with a memorable experience. This is target golf in the truest sense. Your shot-making ability will be thoroughly challenged by the layout that features abundant carries over beautiful desert canyons, ravines and washes. The amenities at the Badlands are top notch, including a beautiful clubhouse. The surrounding desert vistas, featuring views of the Strip in the distance, are spectacular. There is a practice green and expansive grass range for guests. To complete the package, the Badlands has GPS on all carts, providing accurate info for every shot As for the course, the Badlands Golf Club more than lives up to its name. The three nines of this Johnny Miller/Chi Chi Rodriguez design weave through deep canyons. Whether it's the Outlaw, the Desperado or the Diablo nine, Badlands gives players shot making challenges. The 27 holes offer dramatic shot values, so no matter which 18 holes golfers play, it will be a very memorable outing. Four sets of tees make the course playable for beginners to pros -- just make sure to select the right set of tees for your handicap. On the Desperado nine, the eighth hole, a 196-yard par 3, is a knee-knocker. Players face a tee shot that carries over a deep ravine. Shots short or right will wind up in the ravine, making a drop almost a necessity. Par here is a good number. If you wind up with a birdie on this tough hole, you've earned your bragging rights. On the Diablo nine, the 389-yard, par-4 15th brings out the best -- and sometimes the worst -- in players. There are a pair of ways to attack this hole: Play conservative and hit the fairway to the left or -- and here's the tricky shot -- grab the big stick and carry the ravine and take a short wedge into this green. This is another hole where a birdie is a possibility, but more often than not, par is a fine score. This course is a solid test of golf and offers a rugged look at the beauty of the desert -- a nice combination that will bring golfers back for more.

From The Las Vegas Strip: Take I-15 south to I-215 East. Exit I-215 at Eastern Ave. Take Eastern Ave south (turn right) to Anthem Pkwy. Enter Anthem Pkwy. (on the Left) from Eastern Ave. Follow the signs to The Revere Golf Club. You will pass Anthem Country Club and enter into Sun City. Turn Right on Hampton Rd (Walgreens on corner) Clubhouse will be on your right. The Revere Golf Club 2600 Hampton Road Henderson, NV Toll Free From the Strip/McCarran: Take I-15 north to US-95 north From US-95 north take the Summerlin Parkway From the Summerlin Parkway exit on Rampart Take a left on Rampart to Alta Drive Take a right on Alta Drive The Badlands Golf Club will be on your left, 1st traffic light The Badlands Golf Club 9119 Alta Drive Las Vegas, NV Revere Golf Club Dinner Reservations for: Monday Night (3/23/09) at 7:30 PM Yolie's Brazilian Steakhouse 3900 Paradise Road Suite Z Las Vegas, NV Phone: (702) Las Vegas Troon Golf Tournament Packages Both tournaments include use of the practice facility with range balls, and the following amenity package (at each of the golf courses): Yardage book, bag tag, divot repair tool, ball marker, and tees.