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“DIVINE 9 ROAD TRIP” – PUBLIC GOLF TOURNAMENT WITH TWO HOLES AT NINE COURSES OVER 12 HOURS
Released on: May 21, 2008
“DIVINE 9 ROAD TRIP” – PUBLIC GOLF TOURNAMENT WITH TWO HOLES
AT NINE COURSES OVER 12 HOURS
Marathon Outing In Carson City/Valley Proves Golf Mettle -- or Meltdown
(Carson City/Valley, Nev.) – What has two holes at nine separate golf courses, takes 12 hours to complete, and zigzags nearly 100 miles? The inaugural “Divine 9 Road Trip,” Monday, Aug. 4 in the Carson City/Carson Valley area.
It’s the first of its kind public golf tournament -- and perhaps the last -- a marathon that features stops at nine different courses within a 27-mile radius and play on two signature holes at each.
What started in 1998 as a media-exclusive event to showcase the area as a golf destination, has now morphed into a public tournament for 100 players -- make that golf masochists, as they crisscross their way across the capital city area in search of birdies, beverages and laughs.
The Divine 9 courses, a cooperative of the area’s nine golf entities, will each designate two signature holes for the competition. Anticipated course set-ups can expect to yield a par 70, 6,500 yards with a heavy sprinkling of par 5s and 3s. Be forewarned of forced carries over barrancas and acres of water - bring extra balls!
The Divine 9 includes: Genoa Lakes Golf Club: Lakes and Resort Courses, Dayton Valley, Carson Valley, Eagle Valley East, Eagle Valley West, Empire Ranch, Silver Oak and Sunridge.
The “Road Trip” is limited to the first 100 competitors and the format has 16 players per shuttle bus departing in the early morning, each for a different course. There’s no time for range balls or warm ups, and practice swings, plum-bobbed putts and other courtesies like honors, are highly discouraged.
The registration fee of $295 includes two nights lodging at the Carson Valley Inn (double-occupancy), a Welcome Reception, Awards Dinner, 18 holes of golf, shuttle service between courses, breakfast, traveling lunch, snacks, tee prizes and awards. If you plan on cashing in, remember, the last place finisher in the media competition won a caboose-shaped pencil sharpener valued at $3.95.
“The event is designed to reflect golf in the area: great value, quality and variety of courses, and most of all, friends having fun,” said Bill Henderson, marketing director, Carson Valley Inn. “I just hope we end with the same number that started.”
Organizers anticipate foursomes of friends throughout northern California to embrace the “Road Trip” and sample the flavor of a visit to the area – hence the two nights lodging, casino activities and Nevada-style fun.
Following a Sunday evening Welcome Party with rules review and dinner, The “Road Trip” begins the next morning in earnest at 6:30 a.m., when shuttle bus wheels are up to take players to their first course.
Logistics experts from throughout the golf world were called in to help coordinate the 100 players in six shuttles rotating among the nine courses, but most shook their heads and walked away.
Players will attack each course, eight players in two foursomes on each hole. “As the day goes by, we’ll probably have eightsomes going down each fairway,” predicted Jim Kepler, director of golf at Eagle Valley East and West courses. “Experience proves that as the shadows stretch and the sun drops down, the camaraderie grows. Who knows what stories will come from this? Just know these guys will be telling them for a long time.”
After each group switches holes and completes a course, it’s back on the bus to the next challenge until the final putt drops on the 18th hole of the ninth course. “It’s good we have drivers getting folks around safely,” said Candace Duncan, executive director of the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau. “That way we know no one will be lost or stranded.”
While play will be based on official handicaps, it’s destined to be first-place fun for all.
“For the past nine years, we’ve had one shuttle with 16 media,” said Phil Weidinger, tour organizer. “So, why not 100 fanatical golfers looking for an excuse to be one of the first. This ain’t your grandma’s scramble – it requires great athletes and certifiables. Of course, grandmas are welcome, too.”
The Divine 9’s member lodging properties feature golf packages for individuals and groups. The partners include Carson Valley Inn, Best Western Carson Station, Hampton Inn & Suites, The Plaza Hotel, Hardman House, Gold Dust West, Carson Nugget, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott.
The Divine 9 courses offer golfers a variety of challenging valley and desert layouts. Noted designers, architects and professional golfers are affiliated with the courses including Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, John Harbottle III and Peter Jacobsen. There are 171 holes to play and more than 70,000 yards of high desert, open valley golf with meandering rivers and creeks, sage-brush lined fairways, elevation changes, generous fairways --- and tight ones, too, along with the spectacular natural beauty of the area. The area has become a golf destination due to the variety, quality and range of price points available.
Throughout the year, The Divine 9 provides golf in a more traditional manner with its “Ticket to Paradise,” 18 holes at each of the nine courses, just not in the same day! The $295 pass covers green fees, cart and range balls at each course, $10 free slot play at Carson Valley Inn and Carson Station, 20 percent off dinner at the Carson Nugget, and a hospitality suite to groups of 10 or more at the Plaza Hotel. An annual favorite, the “Ticket” always sells out, and only 200 are still available. “Road Trip” participants receive a $50 discount on the purchase of a “Ticket.”
Beginning May 30, registration applications will be available online. For more information or to secure your spot, visit www.Divine9.com or call 775-588-2412. The Divine 9 Road Trip is sponsored by the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau and Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority.
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Divine 9 Golf Courses
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