In the Pacific Northwest, we love the feeling of being on the leading edge of something big. Maybe it’s grunge rock, maybe it’s personal computers, or maybe just the natural wonder in which we live … we like being a part of something special, something secret we can keep to ourselves until the time is right to blow everybody’s minds. For those of us, there is the red rocks region of St. George, Utah, and Mesquite, Nev. With more than a dozen of the most stunningly beautiful courses you’ll ever see, our only regret is only being able to print one in this magazine (we can, however, link you to the rest – check out redrockgolftrail.com and golfmesquitenevada.com). “People are always blown away by the scenery,” chuckles Roxie Sherwin, marketing manager for the RED ROCK GOLF TRAIL (888-345-5551), an association of nine St. George courses that pooled marketing resources in 2004. “It really is one of the best-kept secrets in all of golf.” Not for long. The Ledges Golf Club is one of the most scenic we’ve ever seen, seemingly built right into the side of red-rock cliffs, with stop-in-your-tracks views of the colorful sandstone-and-lava-formed Snow Canyon State Park at nearly every turn. Nearby Coral Canyon, meanwhile, is a sure-fire handicap-ruiner, where the biggest hazards aren’t the sandtraps, numerous rock outcroppings and waste areas, but the unbelievable views of Zion National Park and nearby Bryce Canyon that will distract you from the game at hand. What’s most incredible about these and the region’s other courses – including the brand-new Sand Hollow, a John Fought masterpiece that belongs on any list of the finest new courses in 2008 – is that with only four years of serious marketing, they’re still practically wide-open, and can be played practically for free. No, seriously. Currently, the Red Rock Golf Trail is offering seven-night, five-round packages for as little as $522 … $522! One phone call (number above) can be used to book all nine courses and make hotel reservations, with tee times available as far as six months out. Since the initial formation of the Red Rock Golf Trail to market the clubs – all of which are located within a 20-mile radius – Sherwin says play has increased each year, mostly due to repeat traffic and word-of-mouth. Many of those same golfers are driving 40 miles west through the Arizona desert to play in Mesquite, Nev., where courses that in some cases command triple-digit greens fees can be played for pennies on the dollar through GOLF MESQUITE NEVADA’s (1-866-720-7111) affordable stay-and-play packages. Falcon Ridge Golf Club appears like a green oasis in a red sandstone desert, just the right tonic for a golf-thirsty traveler. Elevated tees provide breathtaking views of Nevada’s Virgin Valley, while the lush fairways and tabletop greens show the fullness of turf that hasn’t been trampled by hundreds of rounds per day. The Palmer at Oasis, meanwhile, is Arnold Palmer’s own homage to the Virgin Valley, a tour-de-force weaved through narrow sandstone canyons that is unlike any round of golf you will ever play. It’s not only golf vacationers who are taking notice of Mesquite, however. The Golf Channel brought its popular “Big Break” series to the Palmer for its eighth season, “Big Break: Mesquite,” in 2007. Also, Golf Digest rated Mesquite’s Wolf Creek Golf Club one of the top-three new upscale public courses in the country in 2001, while the USGA gave its back tees a slope rating of 154 — just one point lower than the highest it has ever given. Embracing its out-of-the-way locale, Mesquite has created an entire tourism industry around its world-class courses, including a number of mid- to high-end hotels, resorts and casinos. Chief among them is the Oasis, a 2,000-acre resort featuring well-appointed rooms and a variety of restaurant options, plus a 50,000-square-foot casino with all of the traditional gaming amenities. In addition, mini golf, go-kart tracks and an expansive pool and 50-foot waterslide are available for the under-21 set, while parents can relax in the private mineral pool or full-service spa. Customizing your vacation is a breeze through Golf Mesquite’s website (above), where you can book both golf and lodging. A running price quote allows you to play with dates, tee times and courses to find the best fit for your budget. Whether going for the golf, or using the area to wind down after a few sleepless days in nearby Las Vegas (less than two hours away), few golf experiences you have in your life will compare to the natural beauty of the red rocks region.