National media touring local golf courses

Area golf and tourism leaders have stepped up the "drive for show and dough" to brand the region as one of the West's most desirable golf destinations by hosting 26 national and regional golf media this week for a sampling of the High Sierra's golf, hospitality and personality.

Among the attendees for the 8th Annual Golf The High Sierra Media Tour are representatives from national outlets including Alaska Air, Arizona Golfer, Arizona Fairways, Golf Living, Incentive Magazine, Inside Golf, Pacific NW Golfer, Sacramento Magazine, Texas Golfer, Travel & Leisure Golf, KGO Radio in San Francisco, DFWgolfnews.com and travelgolf.com. Major dailies and regional outlets represented include the ANG Newspapers, Los Angeles Times, Modesto Bee, NCGA Golf, Orange County Register, Seattle Times and Stockton Record.

The goal of the 8th Annual Golf The High Sierra Media Tour is designed to promote the area as one of the West's most popular golf destinations. With more than 45 courses within 90 minutes, the quality and variety of the golf product, the natural beauty, and the 24-hour Nevada lifestyle, tour sponsors are confident visitors will be impressed. In three years, the tour has generated more than 30 stories in national markets, providing exposure to more than 9 million potential visitors.

Bruce Bommarito, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, cited the attractive demographics of the golf visitor.

"Golf is a very popular attraction in Nevada's diversifying tourism economy," Bommarito said. "The Golf Tour provides an opportunity to capture a growing market segment. The visitor who stays longer, spends more, and demands a quality experience."

Doug Flynn, Director of Golf at Whitehawk Ranch and president of Golf the High Sierra, the golf marketing group representing 17 of the area's courses, said, "We give our visitors what they want: A great golf and travel experience. With the growth of quality courses, amenities and accommodations, the area is gaining more recognition for variety and value with the visitor."

"Golfers talk to golfers for recommendations on where to play," said Randy Fox, head golf professional at Edgewood Tahoe. "They are also influenced by the media. The articles and reports generated by this tour will provide the type of objective third-party endorsements that generate interest and inquiries."

The Media Tour is sponsored by Golf The High Sierra, Nevada Commission on Tourism, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Truckee-Donner Chamber of Commerce, Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority, Plumas County Visitors Bureau and the Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce and Hertz Car Rentals. The tour is managed by Weidinger Public Relations, a Lake Tahoe based agency specializing in golf, travel and tourism.

Leading hotels and lodging establishments in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Carson Valley, Truckee and Graeagle are contributing with rooms, meals and entertainment, while 18 participating golf courses will host the group as it samples the golf product. Nightly receptions and functions are being hosted at Arrowcreek Golf Club, Dayton Valley Golf Club, The Resort at Squaw Creek and Coyote Moon Golf Course. Air transportation is courtesy of Southwest Airlines.