(June 2009) Falcon Ridge opened 2004 to an onslaught of eager golfers — as if they didn't already have some great golf courses in the area. The Kelby Hughes designed course plays 6,546 yards from the back tees for a par of 71. Falcon Ridge has a course rating of 70.3 and a slope rating of 131.

This fantastic layout offers two different nines; there is more emphasis here on shot placement than there is on length. In fact, four of the par 4's are less than 350 yards long from the back tees; considerably shorter from the forward tees. For this reason, you may wish to play it with someone who has played the course before; there is a lot of course knowledge necessary here to score well. On many holes, a precise shot to a specific landing area is needed to set up a good approach shot. The front side is much shorter (3011 yards from the tips compared to 3535 on the back side) and affords golfers with an opportunity to get off to a good start. Falcon Ridge has some of the best greens in Mesquite and offers a superb putting surface.

Memorable Holes

Number 1: Par 5, 495 yards. Nothing like the need to start your round off with a straight drive. The fairway is slightly narrow off the tee of this dogleg right and offers no real bailout area. Fairway bunkers on left can easily come into play since you need to favor the left side off the tee in order to make it around the dogleg. Long ball hitters who successfully place their tee shots near the fairway bunkers will have no problem getting on in two. For the rest of us, once reality has set in, we will soon realize that we have to put our second shots over the corner of the mountain on the right side, which will leave a reasonable uphill approach shot. Take your par and move on... quickly!

Number 7: Par 5, 609 yards. A very long and narrow par 5 that features a desert "shelf" (from which you will NOT get your ball back if it plugs) down the left side and houses to the right. You tee off from an elevated tee box down into a valley and just keep hitting long irons until you reach the green. As long as you can hit the ball straight, you will do well on this hole.

Number 10: Par 4, 462 yards. Number 10 is a fairly long par 4 that starts off with a blind tee shot straight uphill. There is a creek that runs parallel to the fairway and divides it in two. The best line I found off the tee is to aim for the creek; that way I have no worries about being in it! The creek is a result of a beautifully landscaped waterfall that sits at the top of the hill. Whether you choose to cut a little distance off the hole by choosing the fairway to the left, or take the "easier to hit" fairway on the right, there is no doubt that you will still have a very long approach shot uphill to the green. With a water hazard on the right of the green and hillsides to the left creating a fairly narrow fairway, this can be a very tough golf hole!

Number 12: Par 5, 525 yards. This hole offers a very intimidating tee shot. You tee off from high above to a narrow landing area with water and sand on the left and desert on the right. Other than that, it's a piece of cake! Once you have successfully completed the tee shot process, you have a decision to make. You will be somewhere in the vicinity of 220 — 245 yards from the green, however it will pretty much be all carry over water. Thoughts of "go for it Roy" may cloud your judgment and failure to execute can lead to a big number on this hole. The safe shot is to lay the ball out left and leave a relatively short approach shot to a wide shallow green that is well guarded by bunkers on the left.

Number 13: Par 4, 435 yards. This hole is true evidence of "what goes up must come down." Number thirteen offers another blind, uphill tee shot on this dogleg. Once you go and retrieve your tee shot — hopefully not from the desert waste area on the left, you will be looking downhill at a beautiful approach shot. Although it may be somewhat of a long approach shot given the overall length of the hole, it is nonetheless picturesque. Water guards the front and left side of the green offering somewhat of a bailout on the right side. The green is fairly large and features many undulations. Just another remarkable golf hole in Mesquite!

Falcon Ridge boasts some of the most beautiful views; sites not experienced on many golf courses. There are a lot of elevation changes, strategically placed water hazards, and high mesa views; however the course is very playable for golfers of all levels. The only downside I can see to Falcon Ridge is that there is no driving range; apparently the land that was to be used for a range was somehow sold off, or so the story goes. The staff is very friendly and courteous and there is ample room for even a large group on the practice green.

Falcon Ridge has a fully stocked pro shop and is currently offering some pretty good deals on golf. Their posted rate through the middle of September, 2009 is $45 + tax with a twilight rate of $27.00. Their peak rate (at least in 2009) was $125 in March, making this course an exceptional value. This course is often packaged with a few others by local hotels such as the Casablanca and Eureka Resorts. If you are travelling to Mesquite for golf then Falcon Ridge should be on your list of courses to play.