The Alice Springs Golf Club boasts one of the world's finest desert venues, set in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges. Australian golfing legend Peter Thomson and his business partner Michael Wolveridge designed and constructed the course in the early 1980s. It has earned an excellent reputation with golfers worldwide and is known as a course of unique charm blended with subtle severity.
The championship layout has large teeing blocks, fully-grassed rolling fairways and huge, well-bunkered putting greens set against the beautiful and ancient backdrop. Accuracy is a must. Even the boldest hitters must harness their power and replace it with discretion to ensure a safe landing, rather than challenge the rocky outcrops lurking at the edges of several fairways.
The club plays host to the PGA Seniors Tour, the biennial Masters Games, Northern Territory Open Golf Championships and many other national and corporate events.
There is a restaurant and bars, well-stocked pro-shop and floodlit driving range and putting green. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the course and clubhouse facilities.
Lasseters Hotel Casino has 127 rooms and 13 suites. All have balcony or courtyard with views of the MacDonnells, pool, golf course or Todd River. There is a tennis court and complimentary use of bicycles to follow the many interesting trails.
Samphire Restaurant is open for all meals every day and has a wide choice of cuisine. It got its name from an edible herb found in the salt marshes and salt pans of the desert. Poolside dining is also available from 10am. For those planning outings, the kitchen will pack a hamper.
Lasseters has 20 gaming tables, including American roulette, blackjack, big six, baccarat, craps, Caribbean stud, sic bo and two-up. Limits are for social or experienced players and guides are available for first time players.
If you prefer electronic games, there are more than 250 machines. There are jackpot hyperlinks and denominations from one cent to $1. You can also play the Keno numbers game.
Racing enthusiasts don't miss out — there are TAB facilities for Australian and international racing meetings and catering for bets on major sporting events.
The casino is Alice Springs' centre of entertainment. Apart from the gambling areas, it has a traditional Irish pub, bistro and Reef Bar.
