Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open gets new tournament director

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RENO, Nev. ? With 23 years of tournament-management experience under his belt, Michael Stearns has been appointed tournament director for the PGA TOUR's The Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open. As the event moves into its 10th year, Stearns is focusing his efforts on increasing community outreach, sponsorships and attendance and spectator experience while maintaining charitable contributions to northern Nevada nonprofits. Having worked for more than 100 professional and celebrity tournaments held nationally and internationally, Stearns brings a wealth of experience to the PGA TOUR's only summer West Coast stop taking place July 28 -- Aug. 3 at Montrêux Golf and Country Club in Reno, Nev.

John Merrick tees off at the 2007 Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open. (Badz/PGA TOUR)

"As we head into our 10th year, the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation looked for a tournament director with the experience and know-how to get the job done, and we believe that Michael Stearns is the person to make it happen," said John Sande III, chairman of the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation. "His experience with professional- and celebrity-level golf tournaments throughout the country and internationally brings invaluable experience to The Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open. We're fortunate to have the caliber of knowledge that Michael can bring to our event, and we're looking forward to a phenomenal 2008 PGA TOUR event."

Stearns' experience stems from his work with IMG, the world's premier and most diversified sports, entertainment and media company, where he held the Director position for the golf division over the last 18 years. Responsibilities included overseeing strategic planning, business development, event marketing, community relations and operations.

Additional strengths include strong ties with national brands and companies, television networks, including GOLF CHANNEL, established national vendor relationships designed to maximize cost efficiency and integrated and innovative marketing communications programs. Stearns was tournament director for such notable tournaments as the Samsung World Championships at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif., the ADT Championships at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Fla. and the LG Skins Game at Trilogy Golf Club in La Quinta, Calif., along with the Lincoln Financial Battle at the Bridges on Monday Night Golf airing on ABC networks. Stearns' work on these tournaments have provided access to such golf greats as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Lee Trevino, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, John Daly and Sergio Garcia, to name a few.

"I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to take on this role with The Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open," said Stearns. "Hosting a PGA TOUR event of this caliber in our own backyard gives the Reno-Tahoe community a remarkable opportunity to expose the region to areas around the globe. My desire is to encourage residents, golf fans and visitors, to embrace and support it more than ever before especially as we enter our 10th anniversary year. I believe in using television to help tell our story, and with the ongoing partnership with GOLF CHANNEL, we will continue to do just that. I'm looking forward to working with the community and its partners to ensure that this tournament exceeds expectations."

Aired on GOLF CHANNEL in 2007, the exclusive cable network provider for the PGA TOUR, the tournament included 16 hours of coverage nationally and was broadcast in five continents and in more than 40 countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Columbia.

Over the years, the tournament has had nearly 40 players who have won major championships and many Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players including Fred Couples, Charles Howell III, Mark O'Meara, John Daly, Justin Leonard, Steve Elkington, Corey Pavin, Nick Faldo, Scott Verplank, Sergio Garcia and Vaughn Taylor. The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is part of the FedExCup competition, a 37-week series beginning in January and concluding with a four-tournament playoff for $35 million with the winner receiving $10 million.

For information about this year's tournament and sponsorship opportunities, contact The Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open office at 775-322-3900 or visit www.RenoTahoeOpen.com.