Experience your own "Open Championship" at Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas this July

Playing in the British Open would be a dream come true for just about any golfer.

But why put ourselves through that torture? The rugged winds. The high grass. The jet lag after the long flight over.

Experience your own Open Championship right here in America. In Las Vegas of all places.

Royal Links Golf Club – a Walters Golf property – is hosting its first Royal Open the week of the British Open, which runs July 15-22 at Royal Lythm & St. Annes.

Royal Links features the best 18 holes of the British Open Rotation. Test your mettle against the game’s most storied holes including “The Road Hole” and “Hell Bunker” from the Old course at St. Andrews and “The Postage Stamp” from Royal Troon. Other legendary golf courses in the loop include Carnoustie, Turnberry, Royal Liverpool, Prestwick, Royal Lytham, Muirfield and Royal Birkdale. I found the course to be great fun when I played it for the first time last fall (see review here). It was browned out (see photo below) to mimic the Open conditions. I believe it will be a little greener for this event, yet still keep the firm and fast conditions. The blind tee shot on the “road hole” is really daunting for first-timers.

The Royal Open tournament includes:
•3 Nights at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino
•2 Rounds of golf at Royal Links (Saturday, July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd)
•Callaway Razr X Rentals Clubs each day (should you need them)
•Royal Links welcome gift
•BBQ Lunch on final day
•Complimentary caddie each day
•Live “Announcing” of teams off the 1st and 10th tee
•Championship trophy presentation

The cost is $399 per person based on double-occupancy. Single player options are available. Without hotel accommodations, it’s just $249 per player. (FYI, the price does not included MGM Grand resort fee or hotel tax or the gratuity for caddie services).

Royal Links is a great place to experience Open week. The castle-like clubhouse (see my photo above) serves some good Guinness (I can attest to that). Why not have a little fun and put a bet down on your favorite golfer while you’re in town? The Brits love their betting parlors all year around, but especially leading up to the championship. For more on the tournament, click here.