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ROUNDUP: GK Guru Visit Black Gold Golf Club Yorba Linda California

Black Gold Golf Club Yorba Linda California GK Guru Visit-Hole-10 & Clubhouse

Black Gold Golf Club

GK Guru Visit Black Gold Golf Club Yorba Linda California

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks
Played Black Gold yesterday with fellow GK Gurus 6/25 as well as a GK Cup Match. Been about a year since playing this course. I normally don’t like to space it out that far apart given how much I like it. Felt great to be out there. My foursome was dconnally, gary00 and aakes90278.

The Review

From the onset this place was busy as you could tell the local community of Yorba Linda was happy to have the full facilities open again. Driving range was spaced for COVID-19 precautions and face masks were required while in the

Golf Playing Conditions 7.55 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.55 GREAT

Pro-shop.

As sparky14 noted in his review and I agree, the fairways were as lush as I’ve ever seen them and I have been playing Black Gold Golf Club since 2003. I have to applaud Black Gold once again for making the decision years ago to go through the painful long transition from a Bermuda/rye grass fairway turf to an all Kikuyu as it has certainly paid off in the long run.

Greens in very good shape as expected however not as firm and fast as I normally experience. Most golfers probably like that as these greens are very challenging and your short game has to be spot on to negotiate difficult bunkers and most of all tough lies out of the Kikuyu rough. I was green-side in two on hole 4. Had a tough delicate in Kikuyu downhill lie, thinned it a little, ran through the green, another difficult pitch, two putts, walked away with a 6.

Rough, lush and my comment above pretty much sums it up. Hit the greens in regulation to avoid the super tough Kikuyu pitch shots is a premium.

Bunkers, greens side sand, fluffy white and beautiful. Fairways bunkers, little firm and in good shape. This is exactly how I like a golf course bunkers to be. I need the soft stuff around the greens and the more firm stuff in the fairways.

Tee boxes, we played the white tees, my first time playing the white tees there, they are certainly the most popular tees at Black Gold. They were in good shape, not great, mostly lush and level. However when I glanced at the blue tees while driving by they were more lush and level.

Final Note

18 is simply one of the best finishing holes around. Not just because of its risk/reward par 5 design and beauty but because you finish with a gallery from the clubhouse patio looking on. Gary00 got an applause when his shot from the fairway looked like it was going to roll into the hole. Loved that. Its not every day daily fee golfers can get that rush of hitting shots with onlookers cheering. Heck we got more fans watching us than the PGA Tour now! – LOL

Check out the photos I posted.

Highly Recommended.

Editor’s Note:  To become a guru is not only easy but it’s helpful.  Write reviews of the golf courses you play and post them on www.greenskeeper.org.  Get Noticed.  Then apply to become a GK Guru by asking our Staff in our forums.  You get to play some decent golf, with above average conditions AND you get to tell us about your experiences.  Influence avid golfers like yourself on where to play their next round of golf.  Simple enough?  Then get going!  Write your reviews and post them on GreensKeeper.org!

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RoundUp: GK Guru Visit Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada

The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 7

The Revere Golf Club (Lexington)

RoundUp: GK Guru Visit Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks
First round of 36 at The Revere Golf Club on Thursday 1/31 with rob1563, famed02 and mpisarski01. We had a 40 minute frost delay on a cold Vegas morning. Still managed to snap some nice photos so please check them out.

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The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 4
The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 4

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The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 10
The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 10

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The Review

Golf Playing Conditions 7.18 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.18 GREAT

This is a great facility perched up in the hills loaded with the best views of the Las Vegas I’ve seen. They have two 18 hole golf courses both unique and fun. The Lexington Course is by far the most challenging so be ready bring your A game for it. Green are fast, mostly smooth and surprising held shots well. They are however very undulating, large and difficult to read. The fairways are tight, winding in all different directions, have lots of contours and doglegs. They were in very good shape, lush, firm with over-seeded rye. Finding the fairways off the tee is essential as missing them means you are likely in a desert hazard.

The rough is over-seeded rye as well this time of year but maintained low so not much of issue to hit from. You are glad they have it because it helps hold up errant shots heading for the desert hazards. Tee boxes (we played the Silver tees which are by far the most popular) are small which means there is not much room to place the markers. Consequently there is a chance you will have some tee boxes with a lot divot damage. However they have plenty of grass to find a good spot to hit from.

Bunkers, like many courses in Vegas, can be thin with small pebbles. I’d say the bunkers are where the golf course needs the most improvement from a conditions standpoint.

As far as service. It was excellent throughout the day. It was a busy day but that did not hinder the on course service as we saw them many times. Active starters and marshals to help keep pace moving.

Clubhouse and Food. Excellent. I have had breakfast there before and asked Ed how his breakfast was which he said it was very good. As Rob mentioned, they have a fantastic $5 hotdog and draft beer deal (some quality beer choices on tap).

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The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 16
The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 16

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The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 12
The Revere Golf Club LEXINGTON Henderson Nevada Hole 12

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Parting Thought

I highly recommend this golf course but as much as I like this course, I like their other 18, the Concord Course more … see Concord Review.

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Round Up: GK Guru Visit Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada

The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 12

The Revere Golf Club (Concord)

Round Up: GK Guru Visit Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 7.21 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.21 GREAT

The second round of the day, 1/31, was on the Concord Course. We teed off at 12:56 and just completed 18 holes before sundown. Joined again by rob1563, famed02 and mpisarski01, this was my first time playing the Concord Course and I was very impressed. Had heard how this course is the little brother to the Lexington Course, IMO, no way, this golf course is equally as fun if not more fun. As good as the views on the Lexington Course are, the views on the Concord Course are better. There are so many elevated tees hitting to beautifully framed fairways and greens. It’s a blast. And the 18th hole is instantly one of my all-time favorite closing holes. Dramatic downhill Par 5 that if you catch your drive just right can roll all the way down for a mid-short iron to the green. However the green complex is exceptionally guarded (see photo).

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The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 5
The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 5

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The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 15
The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 15

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The Review

As far as the conditions, even better than Lexington, that is if you don’t mind dormant Bermuda rough. Personally I love the framed dormant rough/over-seeded fairway look and this course does it as well as I’ve seen just about anywhere. Plus with most fairways bowled if you hit the rough it kicks back into the fairway, sure is nice to get a lot of good breaks out there. Greens are large and challenging. All in great shape, smooth, firm and fast. Fairways lush with over-seeded rye providing great lies all day. Tee boxes, a little bigger than the Lexington Course so consequently less divot damage in great shape. Bunkers, actually a step down as far as quality of sand than the Lexington Course which was not good to begin with so that’s where improvement is needed most.

As with the Lexington Course, great service with many visit from the on course service. We played the silver tees, next time I want to step back to the gold tees if playing in the winter. If playing in the Summer, it’s a different ball game because all the dormant rough kicking you back in the fairway in going to be lush Bermuda rough holding up your ball providing awkward difficult shots. I bet the golf course is at least 5 strokes harder in the summer. I will find out!

Check out the photos I just posted!

Highly Recommended.

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The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 10
The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 10

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The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 7
The Revere Golf Club CONCORD Henderson Nevada Hole 7

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RECAP: GK Guru Visit Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 17

Reflection Bay Golf Club

RECAP GK Guru Visit and Golf Course Review Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reviewed by:  JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 14
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 14

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 9
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 9

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Played Reflection Bay Golf Club with KevBig for only the second time yesterday, this time in winter rather than summer conditions, next I got to play it in spring conditions, because this place is just fantastic. Great conditions, service and quickly becoming one of my favorite desert layouts.

The Review

Playing Conditions 8.03 GREAT
Playing Conditions 8.03 GREAT

Compared to the summer conditions, greens a little faster, little more smooth and firm. Fairways lush but in terms of rye grass instead of Bermuda. You don’t get as much roll in the winter. Rough, dormant providing a beautiful contrasting look framing every hole except hole #7 (guess because its along side of the road). Bunkers in great shape with quality sand. Tee boxes mostly lush, level, well groomed in great shape.

Have to say while there is not one let down hole and they are all a blast to play, holes #8 and #9 are breathtaking. They used to be holes #17 & #18 but logistically it made more sense to flip the nines a couple years ago and given that current holes #17 & #18 are awesome I got no complaints. The par 3’s and par 5’s IMO steal the show on this course. All the par 5’s are beautiful risk/reward holes and provide for big hitters a chance to get home in two. The Par 3’s provide a major test with holes #8 & #17 right on Lake Las Vegas stunning.

Another thing about Reflection Bay is the service. From the moment you pull into the lot to leaving you are constantly made comfortable with friendly smiles and professionalism. After golf we sat down in the grill which I understand was not there a couple years ago and had excellent food.

Final Thoughts

The only drawback is the golf course does not, at this time, have a driving range to warm up on. It does have some hitting bays. I’m not one that needs a range often but I could see those that do not too a happy about it.Check out the photos I just posted.

Highly Recommended.

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Golf Course Review at Classic Club Palm Desert California

Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 1

Classic Club

Golf Course Review Classic Club Palm Desert California

Reviewed by: GDR23, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 8.22 GREAT

Rode the Blues this afternoon 12/20/2018 at 12:30pm with JohnnyGK, RGM2525 and 24hourgolf. POP was 3 hrs 45 minutes with the golf course to ourselves–never had to wait on one shot. Perfect weather mid 70’s with no wind. Super practice facilities, huge Clubhouse that reminded me more of a Hotel and very friendly staff and cart attendants.

This course shoots right up to the top of my list for being well maintained and for the layout. Top 3 for me. When everybody told me that everything is big here they were not lying. Huge greens, water hazards, bunkers, fairways, etc–you get the drift. Some nice challenging holes and some birdie holes for sure that our group had plenty of! Almost had 5 on the day myself.

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Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 9
Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 9

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Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 14
Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 14

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The Review

Fairways were super lush, ball sitting up perfectly. Rated a 9/10.

Tees perfect, level and lush. Rated a 9/10.

Rough super lush and green. Great shape, healthy. Rated 9/10.

Greens were a minor step down from Terra Lago but still in good shape rolling medium speed with some grain to them. Rated 7.5 out of 10.

Was in one green-side bunker and 2 fairway bunkers that were raked and in good shape–maybe could have used some more sand. Rated 7.5/10.

Just love the back nine here.

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Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 17
Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 17

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Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 12
Classic Club Palm Desert California Hole 12

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Final Thought

Highly Recommended–I hope to return again one day. They have something special going on here.

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GK Gurus Visit The Golf Club at Terra Lago Indio California

Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 13

The Golf Club at Terra Lago (North)

Golf Course Review Golf Club at Terra Lago NORTH Indio California

Reviewed by: blakej824, Seal Beach, CA

Big thanks to Johnny and Terra Lago for setting this up. Made the 2 hour or so trek from Seal Beach to play with Johnny, Gary and Matt for the first time. Having never played here, it made quite the first impression. The clubhouse is nice and all the customer service was anywhere ranging from good to excellent with no complaints.

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Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 14
Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 14

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Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 18
Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 18

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The Review

Golf Playing Conditions 8.22 GREAT

Tees: 7/10. with some of the par 3’s needing divot work but it was still very easy to find a nice level surface.

Fairways: 8/10. Really good, medium green. Nice cushion under the ball. The were a little on the soft side for the desert.  I would prefer that to hard-pan thin on a course like this to keep the ball in play.

Rough: 6.5/10. Probably the thing that could use the most work. A bit patchy and clearly dormant. That being said I bet in the spring and summer months this rates out closer to an 7/8.

Bunkers: 7/10. They had adequate depth from the two fairway bunkers I found allowing for good contact. The green-side bunker I found was a little thin but still playable.

Greens: 9/10. Medium to medium fast coming off the ridges and downhill. Big undulations on a lot of these greens makes for interesting putting dynamics or as Johnny called it “rainbow” breaks. Many of the holes still had the checkerboard marks on the green from mowing and rolled perfect. Very little divots anywhere to be seen.

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Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 7
Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course Hole 7

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Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course JohnnyGK tees off
Terra Lago Golf Club Indio California NORTH Course JohnnyGK tees off

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Final Thought

Overall I was thoroughly impressed with the course. I would highly recommend it and can’t wait to come back. Reminded me at certain times of some of the Paiute courses and at others of Desert Willow. Great playing with those gentlemen as well so if you ever get a chance don’t hesitate to join.

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RECAP: GK Guru Visit Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada

Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 11

Bali Hai Golf Club

Golf Course Review Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT

Finally got to experience Bali Hai in Las Vegas Thursday with Kevbig, rob1562 and famed02. Super time!

Bali Hai lived up to its image as a high rollers “Vegas” course and then some. What I liked most about Bali Hai was how “Vegas” the place is. It totally personifies it. Its right next to the famous Las Vegas sign, there are constant views of the Mandalay and Luxor hotels, hospitality Vegas style with friendly attractive staff, deluxe fancy clubhouse, fun atmosphere throughout the property, music, great food (get the Hole-In-One breakfast bagel in the morning and the Bali Hai ½ burger in the afternoon) … this is a unique one of a kind experience.

The Review

Regarding the golf course, fun challenging layout with an island tropic theme. Much more demanding than I expected and we played the Silver tees. I could have stepped back to the Gold tees but glad I did not for my first time. No way am I playing the Black tees. Forgiving off the tee but very challenging on approach with lots of big difficult bunkers to deal with. Some forced caries over water on the par 3’s yet many opportunities to go for the par 5’s in two. The par 3’s IMO are the star of the golf course. All of them beautiful with varying lengths. The layout can get repetitive at times with holes featuring the same backdrops and similar design … however they are all great holes so I didn’t mind. Check out the photos I just posted!

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Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 4
Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 4

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Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 2
Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 2

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As far as conditions its in great shape. Their fairway over-seeding did not go as well as planned on the majority of holes, still good coverage but not as lush as one would expect. But they are addressing it with a deep veriti-cut + extra watering so I anticipate the fairways conditions to improve significantly within a matter a weeks. Greens in great shape with the back nine greens being better than the front nine greens. Mostly smooth, medium speed and holding shots. Rough, oh boy, its nasty difficult around the many greens. Being October the Bermunda rough is still present and a good 4 inches deep in many areas around the greens. Quite a few times my ball was buried and I had to chop it out. Other times I’d hit a good approach just short of the green and it would shut my ball down. As far as the bunkers, well-groomed with quality sand. I found my share of traps for sure. Tee boxes, the Gold and Black tees looked like they were in great shape, but we played what I think 90% of golfers play out there, the Silver tees which were in OK shape. Some with noticeable divot damage and few that need to be leveled. Again Gold and Black tee boxes looked very nice.

Parting Thought

Over the years I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about Bali Hai and I now know why. If you are someone that could care less about a one of a kind “Vegas” golf experience that no other golf course can replicate, you might be disappointed. My suggestion is everyone should try playing this course at least once although because the uniqueness of the full experience it provides if it’s in your financial means to do so. I really enjoyed it.

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RECAP: GK Guru Visit Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada

Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 18

Bali Hai Golf Club

Golf Course Review Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada

Reviewed by: famed02, Henderson, NV

Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT

I was fortunate to be invited to play with Johnny, Kevin and Rob on this awesome course for the first time. Thanks Johnny!

Upon arrival at bag drop, there is the option to valet your car. In tradition with true Las Vegas, I did so, plus I wanted the full experience (lol).

Because of the amazing service, there was very little effort required on my part, other than to play and have fun.

The valet takes your car and clubs and points you to the food hut, where the breakfast burrito looked amazing. I didn’t have one, but Rob did and confirmed that it was good.

Our cart was set up for me and then we were offered a caddy for $40 a person (not sure if all 4 needed to pay). The caddy would help with hole play, putting advice and what I thought would have been totally worth it, ball finding! We passed on the offer, but someday, I would like to try it.

The Review

You know you’re at a really nice track when you hit the ball, it goes off into the dry creek bed and the greens guy goes to get it for you. He ran down, picked it up, cleaned it off and then handed it to me. That was cool.

The course was in good shape. There were some spots that were a little sloshy and clearly were damaged due to over watering, but they were on it and had the locations staked off.

The silver tee box must have been, as Johnny put it,”the favorite one” because it looked to be the most used. Lots of divot holes and it seems like they were having a hard time keeping up with it.

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Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 15
Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 15

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Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 14
Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada Hole 14

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The views were spectacular because of the great design and there is plenty of opportunity for some really good shots. We played early in the morning and because Las Vegas is one of the busiest airports in the world at that time, airplanes were taking off overhead the whole time. After a while you tune them out.

Although I am not as good as most everyone, I found it challenging, but not as much as some others. Rio Secco, for example, was much more challenging in my opinion. That being said, it was a very fun course. There were several holes where you had to “thread the needle” which made it really exciting.

Final Thoughts

As I have always said, “it’s the little things”. Bottom line, you can pretty much play anywhere you want, but its the cool stuff that keep you coming back. Believe me when I say, Bali Hai has this and more.

I felt like there must have been a drink cart girl for each of the nines. I saw them at least every two holes, but no coffee, which was a bummer.

After we were done playing, the cart guys point you to the food hut again and say, “Just let me do all the work, the clubs will be waiting for you at valet.” I took my phone and my wallet and the rest was done for me. The cart was cleaned out and THEY EVEN POLISHED MY SHOES AND PUT THEM IN MY BAG WHEN THEY WERE DONE!!!! Don’t forget to tip though.

Marvelous Monique come by with the “Vegas Tradition” of Jello shots, which totally hit the spot. I then had one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had at a golf course. Outside was the typical beach resort atmosphere with music, people having a good time and enjoying a cocktail.

Bottom line, if you are looking to play and have “The Las Vegas Experience” in a one-stop location, look no more. It is basically on the strip and can’t be any more convenient for out-of-towners.