PGA official tells backers of new RTO dates: Be careful what you wish for

Scott Sonner

Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 | 8:54 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - PGA Tour officials are impressed with the success of the Reno-Tahoe Open, but don't share the optimism of some local backers that the dates will be changed soon to avoid head-to-head competition with another tournament.

Duke Butler, the Tour's vice president for tournament business affairs, suggested Sunday that Reno-Tahoe organizers should be pleased with what they've got.

"We're extremely impressed with how the Reno-Tahoe Open is doing and how well it is coming along," Butler said about the tourney in its second year.

"We all like something sweet and maybe they want something sweeter," he said.

"It's one thing to go into the local Raley's Supermarket and get a box of chocolate and another to try to own Hershey, Pa.," he said.

Currently pitted opposite the World Golf Championship-NEC Invitational Akron, Ohio, Reno-Tahoe Open officials would eventually like to find what is called an "unencumbered date" where no other tourney is running at the same time.

In addition to attracting some of the top 40 players in the world committed to Ohio, a date of its own would mean a chance to negotiate a bigger television contract.

But Butler said it would cost the sponsors 35 percent to 75 percent more -- anywhere from $2 million to $5 million more -- than the current expenses in the range of $1.5 million plus the $3 million purse.

"There's quite a difference in the financial underpinnings of such a tournament. I've warned them they may need to be careful for what they are asking for," he said.

The Reno-Tahoe Open is locked into the current week through 2002.

Peter Jacobsen, whose Portland, Ore.-based company manages the event, said he's optimistic a new date could be secured as early as 2003.

The Tour is in the process of drafting the PGA schedule for 2003-2006 and should complete that work by the end of next June.

But Butler said at a meeting with tournament board members last week there was "a near unanimous consensus that the current week is successful."

"You have to assess what you can afford in terms of sweets. It might improve the quality of the field (with a new date). It might broaden your television exposure. But it probably comes at an expense of $2 million to $5 million," he said.

Everyone agrees Reno could host a tournament anytime from July through August. But there are some other local conflicts that cause trouble due to competition for hotel rooms, including the Hot August Nights car rally the first week of August and the National Air Races in September, he said.

"One of the great conveniences is the hotel rates are extremely attractive this week for the players and their families and the fans," he said.

Meanwhile, the tournament continues to win rave reviews.

"The players love this golf course," Butler said about the 7,552-yard Montreux Golf and Country Club layout, the second longest on Tour behind Castle Pines in Colorado.

"It's a Jack Nicklaus design. It's at high altitude. We're in August and the temperatures when the first groups teed off this morning were in the 60s. It gets into the 80s in the afternoon, but it's very dry," he said.

"In terms of hospitality, the tournament is pretty much unsurpassed on Tour. The leading hotels have really rolled out the red carpet for the players," he said.

"Players grab me by the arm in the locker room to make sure the tournament is held in high regard back at headquarters."