The PGA Tour Reno-Tahoe Open securing a title sponsorship and an unencumbered date are "topics that have ridden shotgun" with the tournament since its inception in '99, but golfer Davis Love III "sees the potential for the RTO to get both," according to Dan Hinxman of the RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL. A PGA Tour schedule change "places the RTO two weeks in front of the FedExCup playoff series," which has "created an improved field and provided optimism for a title sponsor and, perhaps, a new date." A couple players during last week's tournament mentioned that "some dates could open up" for the newly created '13-14 calendar. But the RTO "has a limited window" because of Reno's climate. Love said, “If you had an open date, you could find a title sponsor for this event, probably. Being an opposite event (same week as the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational), it’s harder to find" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 8/6). In Reno, Regina Bradley noted RTO Exec Dir Chris Hoff was "pleased with the outcome" of last week's tournament. Hoff said, "It's really gone about as well as I could've hoped. No real major hiccups and a lot of our well-known names made the cut. ... Our general public parking lot has filled up both days, Saturday and Sunday. It almost filled up on Friday. Those are all good signs" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 8/5).
OREGON TRAIL: In Portland, Wendy Culverwell reported local non-profit organizations will "net $500,000 or more by selling tickets" to next year's Web.com Tour WinCo Portland Open. WinCo Foods "inked a three-year contract" with Beaverton-based Jeff Sanders Promotions to serve as title sponsor, "ensuring the Portland Open will continue" through at least '16. Nike also has "signed on as a premier sponsor." Sanders in all "expects to sell as many as 35 sponsorships in the $25,000 to $30,000 range" (PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/2 issue).
