Henderson golf course welcomes unique professional golf tournament

By Jared Harmon

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 10:59 p.m.

Henderson resident Teddy Devobell, a retired teacher, loves golf.

The 61-year-old plays as often as possible, and when he's not playing, he can be found in his favorite chair watching golf on television.

When Devobell found out that a one-of-a-kind golf event was being taped just minutes from his home, he jumped at the chance to see professionals in action at the 17th Annual Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge at Rio Secco Golf Club on Tuesday.

The event, in its first year at Rio Secco after nine years at Lake Las Vegas, brings together three players each from the PGA, LPGA and Champions golf tours. They are paired in threesomes for a two separate nine-hole stroke play matches for a portion of a $1 million purse.

"There's no other event like it," Devobell said. "To get to see top golfers from all three tours is pretty special. So, you get great golf, on a great course on a beautiful day. You can't really ask for more if you're a golf fan."

Golfers Stewart Cink, Rocco Mediate and Kenny Perry represented the PGA while Helen Alfredsson, Natalie Gulbis and Cristie Kerr competed from the LPGA. The Champions Tour members who played were Fred Funk, Jay Haas and Nick Price.

Devobell, who moved the Henderson last year but didn't find out about the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge in time to watch it, was determined to see the event this year.

"I had this circled on my calendar this year," Devobell said. "Oddly enough, for me at least, I'm most excited to see the ladies golf. Natalie Gulbis and Cristie Kerr are both phenomenal athletes and deserve more media coverage."

Gulbis, also Henderson resident, attracted more than her fair share of fans among the roughly 250 spectators who turned out for the event. Among them was 11-year-old Summerlin resident Danni Pak who said she came to get Gulbis' autograph.

Danni said she begged her mother to bring her to the event so she could meet her idol and get her to sign her driver which she plans to keep above her bed next to her Michelle Wei autographed club.

"I started golfing when I was only nine and I want to be just like Natalie Gulbis when I get older," Danni said. "When I watch golf with my dad I always root for her. I think she's pretty and she's really good, too. I've never seen her play before today. It was really cool."

The event, created to raise money for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, will be televised on ABC on Dec. 13 and 14. Rio Secco Head Golf Professional Chuck Packard said he is excited about the opportunity to display the course on national television.

"The national exposure from an event like this is a huge advantage in a competitive marketplace like Las Vegas," Packard said. "Some of the pros have give us some great compliments and told us they'd like to come back and play the course again. We've gotten some good feedback."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].