Reno-Tahoe

Answer: The same as great golfers, wildlife, great scenery, cardivascular exercise, a kids party zone, awesome food and drinks and of course the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.

Take a look at these photos and see what you are missing if you don’t get out to the Montreux Golf Course and see this great event for yourself.

Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course, Montrêux Golf & Country Club
August 3 – 9, 2009
http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/08-03-2009/legends-reno-tahoe-open

Exciting PGA TOUR action returns to northern Nevada with the 11th annual Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, playing through Aug. 9 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club.

As the PGA TOUR’s only summer West Coast stop, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open offers fans a fun-filled week of low-scoring professional golf along with the return of many of the tournament’s most popular events including “Fiesta Loco,” “Kidz Par-Tee Zone,” Vino 100 Wine Walk, as well as the charity events “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The 16th hole is once again home to “Fiesta Loco,” a fiesta-themed hospitality area featuring margaritas, a taco and burrito bar and the fan-favorite Mariachi Band. Also back for a fourth consecutive year is the “Vino 100 Wine Walk” beginning each day at 9 a.m. with mimosas at the driving range and inviting spectators and wine enthusiasts to walk the course and enjoy a wine tasting along the way. The “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” also makes its return to entertain the junior fans Friday through Sunday with a play area including a putting green, bounce houses, face painting and more.

While the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is committed to helping the community in which it plays year-round, tournament time brings two charity events that encourage attendees to join along in the spirit of giving, “Get Fit Fore Charity,” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” walk is a course-long pedometer walk through Montrêux’s beautiful tree-lined fairways. With a $5 donation, each participant receives a pedometer and a chance to win a prize based on the number of steps taken along the course. “Birdies for Charity” is another way to follow the action and compete among friends while helping a worthy cause as participants are tempted to donate anywhere from 10 cents to $10 or more for each birdie carded during the tournament with the closest guess taking home a prize. Proceeds from both charity events benefit local non-profit organizations.

The following is a list of activities and offerings at the 2009 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Aug. 5 – 9:

Thursday, Aug. 6

• 7 a.m.: First Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live First Round Coverage
• 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – First Round

Friday, Aug. 7

• 7a.m.: Second Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th green; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Second Round Coverage
• 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Second Round

Saturday, Aug. 8

• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 9:30 a.m.: Third Round Tournament Play
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Third Round Coverage
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Third Round

Sunday, Aug. 9

• 9 a.m.: Final Round Tournament Play; “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – LIVE Final Round
• 6 p.m.: Trophy Presentation on 18th Green
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

Monday, Aug. 10

• 5 – 7 a.m.:  Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

**All times are approximate and subject to change.

For more information on this year’s Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, including ticket sales, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LegendsRenoTahoeOpen.com or contact the tournament office at 775-322-3900.

The region’s preeminent holiday celebration and fireworks display – Star Spangled Sparks – takes place on July 4 with events at locations including Victorian Square in downtown Sparks, the Sparks Marina and the Legends at Sparks Marina destination retail center. The fireworks show, launched from John Ascuaga’s Nugget and viewable from Victorian Square at 9:30 p.m., is equally impressive.

• Reno’s new baseball team is offering its own show with fireworks launched at Aces Stadium in downtown Reno after the game.
• In North Tahoe/Truckee, several shows in Incline Village (Incline Beach), Tahoe City (Commons Beach) and Donner Lake (West End Beach) start at 9:30. If you’re headed to Truckee be sure to check out the parade downtown.
• And in Carson City, Mills Park offers revelers a party atmosphere highlighted by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Reno-Tahoe is a family-friendly getaway, offering tons of fun for kids and adults alike. Add some of these Top 10 attractions to your travel itinerary:

1. Catch a ballgame: Downtown Reno is home to a new ballpark and the Reno Aces, a Triple A team. The boys of summer are playing in Reno-Tahoe.
2. Hit the slopes: Reno-Tahoe offers the largest concentration of ski and board resorts in North America — 18 within an hour drive of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
3. Shop till you drop: The shopping is great in Reno-Tahoe, including the new Legends at Sparks Marina in Sparks, Nev., which boasts more than 70 stores and restaurants, including Scheel’s, the World’s Largest All Sports Store at almost 300,000 square feet.
4. A river runs through it: The Truckee River winds through downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, offering great opportunities for recreation and relaxation during the warm months. Whitewater enthusiasts can paddle to their heart’s content in the two whitewater parks.
5. Nevada-style casino action: In Reno-Tahoe the action goes 24-7, with deluxe, modern resort casinos that offer fun gaming action without the Vegas crowds.
6. The Jewel of the Sierra: Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and downtown Reno — a great day trip whether it is summer or winter.
7. The Comstock Lode: Step back to Wild West times in Virginia City. The preserved epicenter of the Comstock Lode features classic buildings, old saloons and a cast of characters that is always entertaining.
8. V&T Railroad: Ride the rails of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Carson City, Nevada’s capitol. Working steam engines hearken back to the golden age of rail travel.
9. Wine and dine: Reno-Tahoe is known for adventure and Nevada-style gaming, but hundreds of restaurants serving everything from casual to five-star fare also make it a great destination for culinary enthusiasts.
10. Culture connection: Reno-Tahoe is home to 31 museums, including the Nevada Museum of Art, the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada State Museum – live Nevada’s rich culture.

The fountain at the Legends at Sparks Marina

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a new destination shopping center located at the Sparks Marina in Northern Nevada announced the commitment of more A-list retailers and restaurants to the development, scheduled to open Fall, 2008.

Companies that have committed so far include: Scheel’s All Sports (240,000 square feet), T-Rex, Adidas, America’s Roadhouse, BCBGirls, Brooks Brothers, Forever 21, Harry and David, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, Lane Bryant, Off Broadway Shoes, Saddle Ranch Chop House, Sunglass Station, Saks Off Fifth, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, AT&T, Banana Republic, Gap, Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizza, Dickinson Theatres + IMAX, The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, Strasburg Children, Tuscanos Brazilian Grill, Blowfish Sushi, Hofbrauhaus, Olive Garden, Best Buy, Deegie’s Carma, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Easy Spirit, Nine West and Mountain Family RV.

The development also includes a 1,000-room upscale casino-resort-spa.

-Jim Scripps