Obama Follows Jeter Date With Visit to Recession-Hit Golf Course
President Barack Obama brought out his golf clubs today at a Nevada course that reopened just three weeks ago after being shut for about five years due to the recession and soaring water prices.
After playing more than 18 holes yesterday with former New York Yankee Derek Jeter at the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Course, Obama today visited the Reflection Bay Golf and Beach Club in Henderson, a Las Vegas suburb. Obama two days ago gave a speech on immigration at a local school.
Its great awareness for a course that just reopened three weeks ago, Matt Boland, the clubs director of sales and marketing, told reporters as Obama hit balls on the driving range.
The course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, sits beside 330-acre Lake Las Vegas, which was created by damming the Colorado River.
Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulsons Raintree Investment Corp. bought the course earlier this year and brought it back to life. Its across the lake from a gated housing development that is home to celebrities including singers Celine Dion and Britney Spears. Only electric boats are permitted on the lake to keep the setting quiet.
Yesterday Obama and Jeter were part of a foursome that golfed at Shadow Creek owned by MGM Resorts International (MGM), which ferries high-roller casino guests to the course in private limousines. That course was built by casino magnate Steve Wynn and also hosted former National Football League coach Mike Shanahan and former Major League Baseball players Kevin Millar and Tino Martinez yesterday.
Las Vegas businessmen Stephen Cloobeck and Brian Greenspun filled out the Obama-Jeter foursome yesterday. Cloobeck is the chairman and founder of Diamond Resorts International Inc. (DRII), based in Las Vegas, and a Democratic political donor. He was among hospitality industry executives who met with Obama in May to talk about reducing wait times at U.S. airports to boost the tourism industry. Greenspun is chief executive officer of Greenspun Media Group, which owns the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.
Obamas golf partners today included former Tiger Woods coach Butch Harmon and White House aides Marvin Nicholson, Joe Paulson and Mike Brush.
Obama is fond of combining business travel with golf, spending most days during his two-week vacation on Marthas Vineyard in August on a course. In Washington, he plays golf most often at military bases. The trip to Las Vegas, with temperatures in the mid-60s Fahrenheit and sunny skies, gave Obamas game a respite from the capitals cold autumn weather.
To contact the reporter on this story: Angela Greiling Keane in Henderson, Nevada at agreilingkea@bloomberg.net
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Obama Follows Jeter Date With Visit to Recession-Hit Golf Course