Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Las Vegas Event-acular

Las Vegas Event-acular

As always, fall in Vegas shapes up huge with terrific events and tournaments, including the 35th annual Shriners Hospitals for Children PGA Tour event, the new Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic, Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Weekend, and more.

Story by Brian Hurlburt

The editor and publisher of this magazine never have to think very hard to come up with a cover for the annual fall issue. Because there are so many cool and unique events dotting the calendar, it’s a must for this publication to create a guide for them. We know we can’t hit them all, but here’s a list of some of the best to be held over the coming months.

Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic
October 27-28

I am sure the publisher and editor (Ryan and Heidi Chackel) are a little biased towards this one because they created it and year one looks to be a big success. The Audi Henderson Lake Las Vegas Classic is an offshoot of the amazingly popular Ghost Tree Invitational they created in Oregon, where both were born and raised. The Ghost Tree combines golf, music, and dinner on the range and creates a cool vibe that has become a staple on the annual event calendar in the Northwest as they draw teams from all over the country. Plus, precious dollars are raised for worthy charitable organizations. 

The Chackel’s look forward to bringing the same vibe to Southern Nevada and Lake Las Vegas this year, which is enjoying a renaissance.

“This event is one of a kind,” says Ryan Chackel “I've been to a lot of golf tournaments and culinary events, but nothing that combines the two in such a unique setting. A lot of people, including myself, have been to some fun events on The Strip within casinos or around their pools, but nothing like this. We bring golf and the culinary arts together and both the golfer and non-golfer alike can enjoy the event. The setting at Lake Las Vegas at Reflection Bay is perfectly suited for what we do, from a golf course perspective, of course, but also hosting 15 chefs, wineries, a floating stage with a dance band and so much more around their beach. I've looked high and low for an event similar to ours within Las Vegas for several years and have not been able to locate one.”

The event kicks off with a VIP night at Topgolf Las Vegas on Thursday, October 26 and then the golf tournament is Friday, October 27 at Jack Nicklaus’ Reflection Bay Golf Club. The “culinary and beverage heaven” event is Saturday evening, October 28th, 2017. Current restaurants participating include Capital Grille, TAO, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Zenshin, Carnevino, Oscar’s, DJT Restaurant, Ferraro’s, Texas de Brazil and more. In addition, there will be wineries, breweries, and bartenders creating unique cocktails in the spirits tent.

“On Saturday, a floating stage will showcase Grammy Award-winning artist Lonnie Chapin and his band Precious Byrd,” says Ryan. “All of the makings for a great night are there, we just need the support of the community. Heidi and I believe in giving back to a community we do business and live in. We operate two additional events just like this in Oregon and have for 12 years as we also own magazines in Oregon, having been born and raised there. We've lived in Vegas for a number of years now and have searched for a home for the event. Lake Las Vegas came forward and shared our vision not only for the event, but with the beneficiaries as well. We love living in Las Vegas and the community has supported our two magazines for going on eight years now, so this was a natural fit. We hope we can grow this event for years to come and that it can do nothing but positively impact the charities we work with and our community.”

All details: www.LakeLasVegasClassic.com

Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
October 30 – November 5

As always, the annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, our PGA Tour event for the last four decades, highlights each fall in the Las Vegas golf world. The tournament has raised millions for charity, served as the backdrop of Tiger Woods’ first-ever PGA Tour victory, and was the first official million-dollar purse in PGA Tour history.

And so much more …

The 2017 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open brings the FedEx Cup to Las Vegas as the PGA TOUR returns to the Las Vegas valley for the 35th consecutive year. Many of the top golfers in the world will participate in the competition and help support the mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children®. The event runs from October 31 – November 6 at TPC Summerlin.

“Las Vegas has hosted more than 100 professional golf tournaments, and it is a true testament to the Shriners, PGA Tour and community that our event celebrates 35 years in Las Vegas this fall,” tournament director Patrick Lindsey says. “I think what has made this event so important over time is that it has always been more than just a golf tournament. Over the years, it has given back to worthy causes and making a difference to those in need. When the Shriners took over the event 10 years ago, they helped tell the story of the work that is done by the Shriners Hospitals for Children® and how their work helps children everywhere, even if there isn’t a hospital in that city. This year, we look forward to introducing the fans to great golf, tasty food and some inspiring Shriners Hospitals for Children® patients. I hope to see you all in The Hill this November.”

On the course, Australian and PGA TOUR veteran Rod Pampling is scheduled to return and defend his title. Pampling shot a 20-under 264 last year to win for the first time in more than a decade.

"It's awesome. You know, you dream of it," Pampling said after the win. "It happened a couple of times, obviously a long time ago. But thankfully I can still remember those, and it's exactly the same. It's just an amazing feeling and it's just what we work so hard for.”

Off the course, the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame induction festivities kick off PGA TOUR week in Las Vegas on October 27 with the induction ceremony on the Hill at TPC Summerlin. Other events accent the golf being played on the course, including the popular Kick Off Your Heels luncheon and the Charley Hoffman Foundation Pro-Am. Plus there will be a multitude of hospitality opportunities available during the professional competition.

(SIDEBAR)
PGA Tour Week Events *

October 27
Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Night of Induction *

October 30
Clark County School District Day
Charley Hoffman Foundation Pro-Am

October 31
Kick Off Your Heels Women's Day
Championship Pro-Am Draw Party

November 1
Championship Pro-Am

November 2-5
PGA Tour golf
18^th Green Awards Ceremony

* Some events need special tickets for entrance. For more event info, visit www.ShrinersHospitalsOpen.com.

Charley Hoffman Foundation Pro-Am
October 29-30

While this event was mentioned as part of the overall Shriners event, it deserves additional recognition. Hoffman, the former Rebel, and his wife, Stacy, are dedicated to helping charities in Southern Nevada and the annual event raises funds and brings together PGA Tour players and the community. A golf tournament and a VIP night at Topgolf Las Vegas are a part of the event.

“My wife and I had an idea to start a foundation after we ran a charity event for San Diego junior golf, and we thought, ‘why don’t we start a foundation so we can give back to more than one organization’,” says Hoffman. “We sat down and had a discussion and decided we needed to choose charities that our hearts were in, and we went through a process of determining what we believe in and what hits home. Cystic Fibrosis was the first one we supported because my brother’s wife lost two sisters to that, and I wouldn’t be who I am without San Diego junior golf so that was important. We then made the decision to also create an event in Las Vegas and that has been wonderful.”

To register, www.CharleyHoffman.com.

Major Series of Putting
October 27 – November 5

Deemed as the biggest putting tournament in history, the 2017 MSOP Championships are scheduled to take place Oct. 27 – Nov. 5 in Las Vegas. The event will offer a wide variety of putting tournaments including singles and team events in stroke play and match play formats, with exclusive events including the high roller tournament.

The Major Series of Putting was inspired by the World Series of Poker and looks to determine several champions in several different competitions. Qualifiers have been held in the United States and Canada—including many here in Las Vegas—and everyday golfers have the chance to cash in on their putting skills plus high rollers and professionals are taking part in some high stakes games with the flat stick.

The Finals are scheduled to be competed on a 20,000-square-foot surface created by world-leading Nicklaus Design in a venue near Planet Hollywood. Even if you haven’t qualified as you read this, there will still be opportunities to compete during the finals of the competition. The winner’s purses range from $3,500 to $110,000 depending upon the event.

(SIDEBAR) MSOP Events/Entry Fees (without qualifying)

Every Day
Daily Tournaments, $250 or $500

October 27
Turbo Singles, $1,000

October 28, 29
Stroke Play, $5,000

October 29
Turbo Singles #2, $1,000

October 30, 31
All Pro Championship hosted by Brad Faxon, $1,000

October 31, November 1
Amateur Championship, $350

November 1, 2
Team Championship, $1,000

November 3
Turbo Singles #3, $1,000

November 4,5
Match Play Championship, $5,000

November 4, 5
High Roller Invitational/One Putt for One Drop, $11,111

Complete details: www.MSOP.com

Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Weekend
October 26-27

Once again, the Night of Induction is the official kick off to PGA TOUR week in Las Vegas. The Class of 2017 features former LPGA Tour player and current teaching professional Kerri Clark; longtime Las Vegas Country Club director of golf, Bill Farkas; golf benefactor and UNLV men’s golf foundation member, Tom Hartley; and the Southern Nevada Golf Association, which is celebrating 50 years as an organization.

In 2017, the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame extended their community support by naming junior golf as the organization’s exclusive fundraising initiative. Earlier this year, the organization donated $2,000 to the Girls Junior Americas Cup being played at Reflection Bay Golf Club in August. They awarded two $5,000 scholarships via the Bill Walters Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship fund to two former junior players moving on to play collegiate golf. They have now helped four student athletes. The organization also supports the Southern Nevada Golf Coaches Association with financial donation to support live scoring of the tournaments.

Also for the first time, the organization combined the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Classic Pro-Am and Night of Induction into one two-day period, dubbed Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Weekend. The golf tournament will take place Thursday, October 26, at Las Vegas National Golf Club, the home of the official Hall of Fame exhibit. The Night of Induction is Friday, October 27, at The Hill at TPC Summerlin, a beautiful setting that is always awe inspiring. The event in 2017 is serviing as a homecoming for all previous inductees. 2011 inductee Art Sellinger will serve as the volunteer inductee liaison in inviting everyone back to celebrate the history of golf in Las Vegas.

To register, visit www.LasVegasGolfHOF.com. Note: writer Brian Hurlburt is president of the LV Golf Hall of Fame.

Las Vegas Tennis Open presented by The Orleans
October 16-22

The Las Vegas Tennis Open is part of the ATP Challenger series and brings some of the top, up and coming tennis talent to Las Vegas and the Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex at UNLV.

“It’s very exciting for us to host a professional tournament at UNLV,” says UNLV men’s tennis coach Owen Hambrook. “Las Vegas has a rich tennis history so to keep that alive is very rewarding. And to have the Andre Agassi Foundation involved is wonderful. Their support is amazing and we have enjoyed having students from Agassi Prep attend the tournament. The Agassi Foundation has been very supportive.”

Tournament director Jean-Francois Blais oversees tournament operations. The event is in its third year. In 2016, Sam Groth was the singles champion and Brian Baker and Matt Reid won doubles.

For all info, visit www.LasVegasTennisOpen.com.

M.E.N.U.S. 2017 – Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas
October 13

M.E.N.U.S. 2017 (mentoring and educating Nevada’s up and coming students) at the Hard Rock Hotel will be another EPIC-curean affair. The 2017 event will feature a Cuban-inspired dine-around, silent auction, music from Everclear and an after party with Cuban cigars, restaurants, mixologists and more. The event also honors Hubert Keller for his achievements and support. Keller, a Frenchman classically trained by France’s top Chefs, is now one of America’s most widely recognized and acclaimed chefs. His empire includes restaurants: Fleur by Hubert Keller (Las Vegas); Burger Bar (Las Vegas, San Francisco). Cookbooks; Cuisine of Hubert Keller, Burger Bar, & Souvenirs.

The Epicurean Charitable Foundation (ECF) is comprised of more than 20 top food and beverage and hospitality executives who are dedicated to enriching the lives of deserving local students passionate about a career in hospitality or culinary arts. Through scholarships and mentorship opportunities, these gifted, but often financially underprivileged, students are provided with the means to pursue their dreams and become future leaders of the Las Vegas hospitality industry.

To register: www.ECFLV.org 

Other Events You Can’t Miss

Par for the Cure Golf Classic and Grapes and Hops Festival
September 30 and October 6
Springs Preserve/Bear’s Best Las Vegas

Local PGA of America professional Brian Esposito started this event to honor his mother, JoAnn, who passed away from breast cancer in 2003. To register: www.ParfortheCure.com

Vegas Golden Knights Hockey
Season opens October 10

Yes, Las Vegas will officially be a major league city when the Golden Knights open their home schedule at T-Mobile Arena when they play the Phoenix Coyotes. Go Knights Go! Visit www.VegasGoldenKnights.com for all details.

UNLV Athletics
Various seasons

The UNLV football season is in full swing, and the men’s and women’s basketball season opens soon. It’s important for the community to support the Rebels, so check out www.UNLVRebels.com for all information.