Thousands attend Wendy's tourney at Reflection Bay

     Special to Real Estate
      Last month's Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge benefit golf tournament at Lake Las Vegas Resort drew a record crowd and raised $1.2 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, according to organizers of the event.
      An estimated 10,000 fans walked the Reflection Bay Golf Club, and watched nine of professional golf's best compete. The PGA Seniors' Tour was represented by Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Tom Watson. Playing for the PGA Tour were Lee Janzen, Tom Lehman and Justin Leonard. The LPGA Tour was represented by Juli Inkster, Dottie Pepper and Karrie Webb.
      Pitting three-member teams from each tour against each other, the tournament features a competitive format that borrows from the point system used in the Ryder Cup. Each hole has three points at stake. The three players (one from each tour) can win the hole and gain two points for their team, while the remaining point is awarded to the runner-up. In the case of ties, the points are evenly divided. The team with the most points after 18 holes wins the match.
      Taking first place was the Seniors' team, with 63.5 points; the PGA team came in second with 50 points; and the LPGA team finished third with 48.5 points. Members of the winning Seniors' team received $100,000 in prize money; for second place, PGA team won $67,000 each; and LPGA competitors received $50,000 for third place.
      While many fans followed the field, others watched from electric boats or sailboats on the resort's 320-acre lake. Five of the holes stretch along 1 1/2 miles of shoreline.
      The tournament, which is in its eighth year, has been held at Lake Las Vegas Resort for the past four years.
      "Our residents continue to embrace this event," Sherri O'Boyle, vice president of marketing at the resort, said. "They volunteer their time to make sure that it is a success, and really get into the spirit of the tournament and its broadcast."
      John Herndon, director of golf, agreed.
      "We couldn't be happier with this year's tournament," he said. "Some of the greatest names in the sport, playing in front of a record gallery on one of the most beautiful courses in Nevada for a great cause. What more could we ask for?"
      Since its inception in 1992, the tournament has raised more than $4 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, according to Thomas.
      "The Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge comes through not only for golf fans, but for the thousands of children available for adoptions in America," said Thomas, founder of the Wendy's restaurant chain. "Everyone from the players to the organizers and volunteers is involved in helping these children get what they cherish the most -- a permanent home and a loving family."
      The tournament was held Nov. 16, and will be televised on ABC Dec. 18 and 19.
      Reflection Bay Golf Club is a 7,261-yard, par-72 course designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is located on the northern shore of the lake and surrounds the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, which is scheduled to open this month. Nearby is the Reflection Bay Golf and Beach Club, which houses a pro shop and the La Chandele restaurant, which offers Mediterranean/California cuisine and waterfront dining.
      Development plans for the north shore include additional hotels, European-style gaming, spa facilities, a retail village, additional restaurants and housing.
      Multi-acre custom-home sites are available at MonteCatini, where they are priced from $2 million to $5.8 million.
      Custom sites are also available at Sorrento, a gated community offering fairway views of Reflection Bay Golf Club. Home sites range from one-quarter acre to more than one-half acre, and are priced from $265,000.
      Across the lake, the gated SouthShore residential development offers a variety of options.
      Architectural designs are based on a Mediterranean theme with home sites nestled into the hillsides. Home sites at SouthShore are priced from $310,000 to $1.75 million.
      PortaCielo, which will comprise 72 homes, is in the third of a planned five phases. Three floor plans are available, ranging from 2,460 to 3,500 square feet and priced from $480,000, plus additional lot premiums.
      Residents of SouthShore have access to hiking, fishing, sailing, golf and the SouthShore Yacht & Beach Club. The private SouthShore Golf Club also was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
      Lake Las Vegas Resort is being developed by Transcontinental Properties Inc.
      To visit, take Lake Mead Drive, seven miles east of Boulder Highway, to Lake Las Vegas Parkway. The sales center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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