Golf Played a Big Part in Stanley Cup Celebrations for the Vegas Golden Knights
This is the another installment in a series of articles about how golf is the common thread of nearly every big event in Las Vegas, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World.
Through much evidence provided via social media, first-hand accounts and other outlets, playing golf seemed to be the perfect way for the Vegas Golden Knights to celebrate the team’s first National Hockey League title. The Golden Knights played golf all over Las Vegas, the U.S. and Canada, with the Stanley Cup at times coming along for the cart ride.
Just days after winning the title the team took the trophy to Rock Creek Cattle Company, team owner Bill Foley's golf course and cattle ranch in Montana. While there, Knights center Jack Eichel hoisted the most historic trophy in sports on a putting green. Also during the trip, team’s first captain, Mark Stone, rode around with the Cup in a golf cart.
Golden Knights captain Mark Stone had a special prize alongside for a summer round.
Courtesy Vegas Golden Knights social media
The Stanley Cup was spotted on more golf courses during the summer of 2023 than Tiger Woods.
In Las Vegas, the Cup and players—sometimes together—were spotted at Southern Highlands, Bear’s Best, Angel Park, Wynn Las Vegas, the Revere and other courses.
One of the best celebrations was the annual Golden Knights Foundation golf tournament, played this year at Tom Fazio’s Wynn Golf Club. More than a dozen Golden Knights players teed it up and raised dollars for a great cause. Proceeds from the tournament support Las Vegas-based organizations through the Foundation.
Brayden McNabb, a defenseman, shared his thoughts on his love of golf just before he teed off on the majestic course located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
“Golf brings out the competitiveness,” McNabb said. “I think for anyone when you get competitive, it brings the fun out and it’s very addicting. You want hit your best shot every time, but it’s very hard to do that. It is a game that you’re always just trying to get better."
McNabb carries a 2.2 handicap and plays out of the private Southern Highlands. A few years ago, he played in a Southern Nevada Golf Association amateur team event.
Brayden McNabb tees off at the Wynn Golf Club.
Brian Hurlburt/SI
As he was jumping into his cart for a day of golf and helping Vegas charities, he answered one final question that golfers should relate to: what is more difficult, winning a Stanley Cup or making a downhill, breaking 6-foot putt to shoot a personal-best score?
“Obviously, there is a lot more going on to win a Stanley Cup, but having that 6-foot putt for a personal best would be nerve-wracking, for sure,” McNabb said with a big laugh.
Right winger Keegan Kolesar also played in the Golden Knights Foundation event. He isn’t as dedicated or talented of a golfer as McNabb, he still appreciates the game.
“I try to play as much as I can back home and I played every single day when I was there this summer,” said Kolesar, who hails from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. “It’s a little bit tougher with training and the heat to go every day here. I think I would be shriveled up like a raisin in no time. I enjoy golf because it gets me off my couch, gets me outside doing something fun and I love it. It's a great way to spend time during the day and it's an awesome way to spend time with friends. It's an easy way to get together.”
The bond between golf and a player might be strongest for Brett Howden, a forward, who brought the Stanley Cup back to the course where he worked as a youngster. Howden celebrated with friends, family, fans and the Cup at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Sunnyside, Manitoba, on July 23.
Howden worked in the golf shop for four years beginning when he was 12 years old and has been a member ever since. Howden played three holes with the Stanley Cup, and didn’t let heavy rain dampen (pun intended) the celebration.
Golden Knights owner Foley also has deep ties to golf. In 2004, he bought the Rock Creek Cattle Company, a working cattle ranch with more than 2,000 cow-calf pairs located on land that was once a part of the historic Grant-Kohrs Ranch in Deer Lodge, Montana. His mind soon wandered, and he decided he wanted a golf course on the property.
The private course was designed by esteemed golf course architect Tom Doak and is a 7,466-yard layout that opened in 2008. The course features a spectacular backdrop provided by the Flint Creek Mountain Range and other majestic scenery.
Foley is also an accomplished golfer and has been ranked as one of the top executive golfers in the world by Golf Digest. Besides visiting Foley’s club following the victory, the Knights also prepared for the long year with a pre-season retreat there that many players attended.
Brian Hurlburt is the founder of www.LasVegasGolfInsider.com and can be followed @lasvegasgolfinsider on social media.