The construction of a new golf course in Las Vegas is nearing completion and is set to open early next year.

Designed by Fazio Design, The Summit golf course is taking shape and is set to open for play in the spring. Developers Discovery Land Company are the firm behind the project.

GCA caught up with Brian Courcelle from Fazio Design to discuss the new course, which will lie just 15 minutes from the Las Vegas strip.

“The site is extremely interesting, with a lot of topography for the Las Vegas area,” Courcelle said. “While much of Las Vegas is fairly flat to moderately sloped, The Summit site enjoys a location adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area that is transitioning up into the foothills of the nearby mountains.”

Courcelle explains that the site’s topographic variety means the course passes through differing natural environments. For example, the course’s opening holes are located in a ‘desert’ style area, while a significant part of the course’s back nine plays around a creek with more of a 'lush' feel to these holes.

“Examples of the extremes would be the par three second hole and the par three 11th hole,” Courcelle explained. “The second hole plays level to slightly uphill with western mountain views. The green is set hard long an existing dry valley with a boulder wall. The hole is in an arid desert location and plays over the deep valley to the elevated green.”

“The 11th hole however is near the front of the project and plays downhill and over a stream to a green perched above the irrigation lake. The hole is in a lush location with water, palm trees, and dense landscape. In contrast to the second hole, the 11th hole is playing east with magnificent views of the Las Vegas strip.”

The Summit course features almost 300 feet of elevation change, and a number of ridges and valleys characterise the site.

“Exposed rock seams in the hillsides, large boulder outcroppings, and carved-out dry washes are present and highlighted throughout the golf course and community,” Courcelle said. “Due to its elevation roughly 1,000 feet above the city, the golf course and home sites will have spectacular views of the Las Vegas strip to the east and the protected Red Rocks lands to the west and northwest.”

Work on The Summit course began back in the summer of 2015, and more that four million cubic yards of earth have been moved to shape and create the course.

“Discovery Land Company has made a significant commitment to the golf course, which enjoys very wide play corridors, desert lush landscape, and generous offsets from the real estate,” Courcelle added. “Golfers will enjoy a playable golf course, fast and firm turf conditions, dramatic elevation changes, a variety of golf holes and environments, and of course the amazing views off property. It will be unlike anything in the Las Vegas market.”

The course is scheduled to open in spring 2017.

All photos courtesy of Jarrod Ames Photography