Page 50 - LVG&L SPRING 2019

[ GOLF ]

H IS T OR Y

The Las Vegas Country Club now moves into a new era under Sam-
ick and with a strong contingent of longtime members who remained
during the transition to Samick leadership. “It is very apparent that the
new owners are serious about improving the club physically and have
invested substantially to do so,” says Mike Singer, the club’s final equity
member president who remains a member and sits on an advisory
committee. “Also, it was very important to the equity members to retain
the aura and distinction of The Las Vegas Country Club and the new
owners are very committed to that, as well. They have been authentic as
owners and when they tell the members something, we can take their
word to the bank.”
Additional renovations, preservations and modernizations at the
club are new LED lighting in the indoor tennis pavilion, renovated
locker rooms, carpeting and paint throughout the clubhouse, backend
improvements in the kitchen and bar areas and more.
The statue of Martin mentioned by Edmiston symbolizes old and
new blending together seamlessly. Martin was the guest of Arthur
Nightingale, the club’s first head professional, and played with a group
that included Tony Frabbiele, Wininger, Cherry, Myron Friedman and
Minny Cardillo.
“When we opened the Club, I received permission from Mr. Kratter
to invite stars out to play, and he said okay as long as it wasn’t for what
he called ‘self gain,’ and you know in Vegas there is a lot of ‘self gain’
going on,” remembered Nightingale. “The name I gave my favorite
group was the gruesome sixsome. They were a lot of fun, but I should
have used the word ‘awesome,’ not gruesome. How often do you get
a group like that? They had the course to themselves for about six
weeks. I probably let them overdo it a bit, but Marvin wasn’t there, so I
thought why not? I think they did more for that course than you could
ever justify in a money amount.”
During a club re-introduction for the media in early 2019 when the
Martin statue was unveiled, the new owners presented an honorary
membership to the “Mayors” Goodman. Carolyn was an avid tennis
player at the club and longtime friend of Johnny Lane, the club’s tennis
pro for the last 30+ years. Tennis has always been at the club’s culture
and Andre Agassi grew up playing on the club’s courts. He continues to
play and practice in the indoor pavilion with his wife and fellow legend,
Steffi Graf. The pavilion is attracting new tennis members and is one-
of-a-kind among private golf clubs in Southern Nevada.
“What a great place to play golf or have a party and a great place
to hang out and play tennis and just enjoy everything,” Carolyn said What is old is new again at The Las Vegas Country Club.
during the media event. “I am so thrilled that it is in such good hands.
I have noticed that already with the improvements it is going to be THE LAS VEGAS COUNTRY CLUB
fabulous.” www.LasVegasCC.com

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