A Great Party, A Wonderful Success

The 2017 Lake Las Vegas Classic

Story by Lynn Leissler

Photography by Jerry Clarkson

The party’s over, and what a party it was.

The inaugural Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic at Reflection Bay Golf Club was deemed a success by all. Those who put in untold hours to organize and make it happen looked tired by Saturday evening––the happy, satisfied kind of tired that comes with a job well done. The non-profit event will be donating all net proceeds to Keep Memory Alive and the Southern Nevada Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For golfers and guests, the weekend started with a bang at the VIP Party at Topgolf Las Vegas, Thursday night October 26. Appetizers and beverages were enjoyed while all 12 reserved Topgolf hitting bays were constantly filled as friends battled it out in one of many game options.

On Friday, over 45 teams participated in a golf tournament—the course full of golfers, beverage carts, and hole-sponsor displays. And, of course, the usual whoops and groans that accompany any golf game.

Over 1,000 folks brought their appetites to the Feast on Saturday night––a feast in the true sense of the word. Watching much of the food prepared and plated gave one the impression of viewing over 15 live cooking shows at the same time. Entrées ran the spectrum of simpler fare to more exotic gourmet offerings, and all were delicious. Small plates were filled with large bites and desserts. No one had to be asked twice to enjoy the delectable sweets. Guests ate, then went back for seconds, or at someone’s urging—“Did you try…?”—to sample another amazing food treat.

Throughout the evening, people popped into the Silent Auction room to see what they might wish to buy and to check on the status of their bids. The attractively displayed items included lodging, winery packages, outdoor recreation, catered dinners, restaurant offerings, clothing accessories, salon services, spa packages, artwork, sporting events and memorabilia, weekend trips, and big-ticket vacation packages. That’s only a small sampling of the large generosity.

Precious Byrd, an amazing dance band from Bend, Oregon provided the evening’s entertainment. Their music style allowed something for everyone, a blend in pace and songs. Young kids, young adults, and grandparents crowded the dance area, moving with energy and sporting smiles.

A huge thanks goes to the sponsors. Audi Henderson took the lead as title sponsor; it also is part of the Findlay Automotive Group, which has been serving the Las Vegas valley for over 50 years and earned the prestigious Magna Society Elite award for five consecutive years from 2009 through 2014. Presenting Sponsors included Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Magazine as well as Reflection Bay Golf Club, Lake Las Vegas, Chip-N-Dale’s Landscaping, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas and Trump International Realty Las Vegas, Blue Heron Design Build, the City of Henderson, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Beasley Broadcast Group, Topgolf, Travel Nevada, and Smart Solutions. Other sponsors include The Robert Little Group of Remax Advantage’s, Select Wealth Advisers, and Pacific Print Source.

Thanks are also in order for the chefs who donated expertise and their Saturday night. Thanks to individuals and businesses who donated items for the silent auction, and still more thanks to the team of volunteers who made the event possible, those who tended to the myriad details any large event entails. Of course, also thank you to all who came to the event. Without you and your generosity, it would not have been successful.

“It was an amazing first year, truly off the charts great, and we have so many people to thank for it. You just never know how a first year event will go, but our sponsors and the community really stepped up and showed us nothing but support,” says Founder and Event Director Ryan Chackel.

Stay tuned: inaugural event means there will be more in 2018. More golf, more food, more beverages, more fun, more music, and more opportunity to help local charities that reach out with caring and assistance.

It’s not too early to save the date. The 2018 Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic will return to Reflection Bay Golf Club on November 1 through 3, 2018. To learn more about sponsoring or attending, please visit: www.lakelasvegasclassic.com.

SIDEBAR

Participating Restaurants/Chefs

The Capital Grille

Shake Shack

Zenshin Asian Restaurant

DJT Restaurant

Texas de Brazil

LAVO

TAO

BEAUTY & Essex

CarneVino

Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant