The Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic

The Northwest’s largest and most successful golf and culinary event comes to Las Vegas

Story by Heidi Chackel

Save the date and mark your calendars for the finest golf and culinary event and party of the year: the Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic on Oct. 27 and 28, 2017 at Reflection Bay Golf Club. This inaugural event is founded and operated by Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Magazine, as well as founders and operators of The Ghost Tree Invitational in Oregon, held in August twelve years running and the largest golf and culinary event in the Northwest. The Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic is all about giving back to the community. The non-profit event will donate 100 percent of its net funds raised to local charities benefiting children in Las Vegas and Henderson. The list of people and businesses involved—from behind the scenes to chefs and musicians—is long and boasts many that you will recognize.

For the Friday golf event put a foursome together to challenge up to 60 other teams in the morning or afternoon shotgun, or enter as an individual and get paired up with some new friends. The round of golf at Reflection Bay Golf Club—a top-notch award-winning course with a view—starts off right with a continental breakfast for morning golfers and a barbecue lunch between rounds. Event format is a shamble with gross and net scoring, closest to the skin and long drive competitions, a skins game, and various contests on tee boxes with prizes awarded. In addition, a special long drive competition will feature a national long drive champion on a par 5 where he will feature drives between 350 and 400 yards for your group. Complimentary refreshments will be available at various holes and beverage/snack carts will be roaming. Players and foursomes need to pre-register on the tournament website (www.lakelasvegasclassic.com).

Since this is is a two-part event, you do not have to play golf on Friday in order to attend the culinary feast on Saturday night. Those enjoying golf on Friday will be joined by over 1,500 other guests at The Feast on Saturday evening, also at Reflection Bay Golf Club. Starting at five p.m., guests will enter a culinary and beverage paradise. Your one-time ticket price allows you to sample a variety of amazing food prepared by chefs from over 15 of the valley’s finest restaurants. It won’t take long to understand why the event is called The Feast. The servings are small plates, which means you can go back as many times as you wish. As you sample, be sure and note your favorites and visit those establishments later. In addition to the chefs, the Feast features over 10 wineries, multiple bars that will pour spirits throughout the night, and a beer garden with the finest brews on tap. The all-inclusive tickets will start at $100 per person and can be purchased at www.lakelasvegasclassic.com.

AUCTION

Throughout the evening, people are invited to visit the silent auction area. There will be something for everyone—vacation packages to Lake Tahoe, Portland, San Diego, Los Angeles, Mexico, as well as gift baskets, art pieces, and gift certificates for local eateries, salons, art suppliers, theater, sporting events, and so much more. Your participation here is huge for the charities, as they receive much needed funds and you receive a trip, a service, or an item. A total win/win.

ENTERTAINMENT

Later in the evening at The Feast, get ready to move as Grammy Award winning artist Lonnie Chapin and his band Precious Byrd present the evening’s entertainment. Boasting quality that could easily land them a spot on any main stage, this funky, high-energy four-piece band from Oregon and California takes the floor at The Lake Las Vegas Classic. Their sets include all your favorite classic dance hits, old standards, current hits, covers, and originals—something for every age group and music taste, all played to entertain, satisfy, and lure you to the dance floor.

ATTIRE

What to wear? On the golf course it’s collared shirts for the guys. For Saturday evening, pack away the shorts and think resort casual. It’s not a formal event, but flexible Las Vegas cocktail party attire. Still, women, here’s your chance to get dolled up. Wear that favorite dress, or buy a new one, because it’s a party and there’s dancing. If you wear heels and your feet hurt, kick off your shoes and keep dancing.

THE CHARITIES

The evening is guaranteed to be one of exhilarating fun, but fun with a purpose. The Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic donates 100 percent of its funds to local charities, so every dollar raised stays in the local community. Event organizers are in the process of selecting two to three local charities that benefit children in the region.

SPONSORS

An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the help and support of the community. Many individuals and businesses have come forward as sponsors in order to make the Lake Las Vega Classic happen, offering financial support, planning aid, and hands-on assistance

Audi Henderson has taken 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. The dealership’s attention to their customers and brand is unparalleled and they are happy to continue to give back to the community through their involvement in this amazing event.

Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Magazine, first published in 2012, has become one of the regions' leading lifestyle magazines, showcasing Las Vegas golf, local restaurants, wineries, recreational opportunities, home fashion trends, individuals who make a difference, medical advances, and more. Owners Ryan and Heidi Chackel want to give back to the community they feature and promote, and the Lake Las Vegas Classic is a way to achieve that goal.

Since 1995, Chip-N-Dale’s Landscaping has strived for excellence in residential outdoor spaces throughout Las Vegas and Henderson, continuing to expand their portfolio and their experience. While lawns and hedges are a given in landscaping options, Chip-N-Dale’s Landscaping also offers a variety of outdoor living and entertainment amenities such as masonry, water and fire features, dramatic low-voltage lighting elements, and outdoor culinary spaces. “We strive for integrity and excellence in our work and our relationships with the community,” says owner Greg Struhl. “To be involved in this event is a way for us to continue serving our community and the resources it provides to all of us.”

As part of their ongoing commitment to Give Gratitude, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas and Trump International Realty Las Vegas are pleased to participate in The Lake Las Vegas Classic. Giving back is a vital part of the organizational culture, and is demonstrated in continual activities such as donating to and participating in events to assist the MS Foundation and supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via the Eric Trump Foundation. Locally, the company also provides and delivers holiday dinners for families in need as well as St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a local home and resource for abused and at-risk children, young adults, and families. Adding to those efforts, the Trump Team is happy to be a part of this event, and excited for this opportunity to give back to the community.

Led by Las Vegas natives, Blue Heron Design Build is proud to be a sponsor for this inaugural Las Vegas event. Founded in 2004, Blue Heron is a design/build firm specializing in custom homes and boutique communities in Southern Nevada. It is a leader in implementing energy efficient technology and ultimate green building methods in all its homes. Co-owner and founder Tyler Jones is looking forward to giving back to the community that his family has called home for generations. “We are happy that the Lake Las Vegas Classic is supporting local children’s charities this year. We’re honored to be involved with this unique Las Vegas event.”

Tens of thousands of people from all over the world visit Henderson annually. Its close proximity to the Las Vegas Strip and McCarran International Airport make it an appealing location for both leisure and business travelers. Many guests, however, choose the destination because it offers the best of both worlds: luxury resorts, upscale dining, shopping, and amenities combined with the small town hospitality residents and guests have come to expect and enjoy. “We are excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Lake Las Vegas Classic,” says Barbra Coffee, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the City of Henderson. “The golf tournament is a chance for us to showcase the destination to an audience that may not be familiar with Nevada’s second-largest city. We hope the golfers will find Henderson and everything our community has to offer as charming and wonderful as we do.”

Smart Solutions designs, develops, and markets business websites in the U.S. They started in 1996, and they live and work in Bend, Oregon. They have published over a thousand websites and web applications for hundreds of companies in a variety of industries. Each project serves specific goals for their clients, and together they share a common strength. They drive qualified traffic, both earned and paid, to convert visitors to customers, its what they do. Their mission is to help you reach your online goals and to build and grow your online equity. “We are proud to be part of the Lake Las Vegas Classic in 2017,” says Director of Client Services Doug Simmons. “This event provides us with an incredible opportunity to contribute to children’s charities through a weekend of golf and culinary cuisine.”

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Las Vegas/Henderson area, The Robert Little Group of Remax Advantage’s solid reputation of integrity and customer satisfaction is the place to go, as they have helped hundreds of families buy or sell their home. They are one of the top real estate teams in Southern Nevada, specializing in golf course and luxury communities, new construction, and re-sales. “When we were approached to participate in the 2017 Audi Lake Las Vegas Classic, we jumped at the opportunity for a great event that helps raise money for children's charities here in Southern Nevada,” says Robert Little regarding his involvement in the event as the Wine & Spirits Sponsor.

As one of the Las Vegas Valley’s premiere boutique investment firms, Select Wealth Advisers is dedicated to offering the highest standard in wealth management and has joined the event as the Golf Cart Sponsor. “Whether a current client or someone interested in our services, we endeavor to know and understand your full financial situation and provide you with only the highest quality information, services and products to help you reach your financial goals,” says President and Co-Founder Mitchell Horst. “We are proud to be part of the inaugural Lake Las Vegas Classic and we look forward to the new relationships that are formed from such a great event.”

Put Oct. 27 and 28 on your calendar and check out the event website for details, www.lakelasvegasclassic.com. The site includes pictures of the Ghost Tree Invitational in Oregon, allowing a hint at what’s in store for Las Vegas. Afterward, get ready to party.

SIDEBAR

Event Schedule

On Saturday October 28, at Reflection Bay Golf Club, The Feast begins

5 p.m. Gates Open & Silent Auction/Dinner Service Begins

6:30 p.m. Golf Awards and Announcements

7 p.m. Precious Byrd Starts

8:30 p.m. Silent Auction Ends

9 p.m. Pickup for Auction Items Begins

9:30 p.m. Alcohol Service Ends

10:30 p.m. Event Ends (Approximate)

Lake Las Vegas Classic

Held at Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas