Siena suits golfers to a `tee'

When Jerry and Dee Cherson began looking for a place to retire, their search took them across the country and ended at Siena, an age-qualified community in Summerlin.

"We were living in Columbus, Ohio, and as retirement drew closer and closer we started looking for a place to get away from the cold. We looked at Florida; Georgia; Hilton Head, (S.C.); California; Arizona; and finally Nevada," Jerry Cherson said. "Although most places we looked at offered the climate we desired, we were looking for a place that provided a variety of entertainment and recreational options as well as a variety of new homes to choose from.

"We wanted a new home and after combing the valley, we narrowed our search to the Summerlin area where we discovered Red Rock Country Club. We liked the community, the company and the models, but the homes were just too big for what we were looking for. At that time, Siena had an information trailer on Town Center (Drive), so we stopped in. The models hadn't even been built yet, but the agent sold us on the vision of the new guard-gated, age-qualified golf community."

The Chersons were among the community's first 100 homeowners when they moved in on Nov. 23, 2000.

"We have many of our friends from Ohio come for a visit, and they are always amazed and impressed with our community. Dee and I ... had very high levels of expectations, and not only have they been met, they have been exceeded in every aspect," he said.

Since moving in, Jerry Cherson has kept busy golfing on the community's course and was an organizing member of the Men's Golf Club.

"The club started about two years ago with 10 members, but since has grown to 55 members. At this rate, we expect to have about 200 members within a year. The club is a great way for the members to get to know people within the community and enjoy the game. Our members have a wide range of skill levels -- handicaps from 10 to 40 -- but everyone is just out to have a good time," he said.

"The management has always reached out to our club and has really made us proud to be a part. And now with the new golf clubhouse, we have the perfect place to congregate and enjoy each other's company."

In addition to playing every Tuesday, club members play at other times during the week.

"Sometimes we'll get paired up with people who are playing the course for the first time, and when they find out we live at Siena they are always intrigued and want to know more about the community," he said. "Many of the golf club members have become ambassadors for Siena, but with such a wonderful community to brag about, it's an easy job."

His wife is also a golfer, and they both enjoy other resident activities as well.

"Dee enjoys playing golf with the Siena Women's Golf Club, and we always look forward to the various outings arranged through the com- munity association," he said.

Other amenities within the guard-gated community include a golf clubhouse, health and fitness center, and interim social center. Groundbreaking for the community's permanent community center is planned soon.

The 665-acre community offers 18 single-story models, measuring from 1,040 to 3,100 square feet and priced from the $140,000s to the $650,000s. An on-site design studio is available to assist buyers with customizing options.

The Portofino Collection offers "paired homes." Four attached floor plans are available, ranging from 1,040 to 1,378 square feet and priced from $144,500 to $169,700.

To visit, take Sahara Avenue or Interstate 215 to Town Center Drive and travel south to Siena Monte Avenue. The model homes are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunrise Colony Co. is also developing Red Rock Country Club in Summerlin.

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