When Jana Smoley was asked three years ago to run a PGA Tour event in Reno, Nev., she wasn’t exactly sure why she was the lead candidate. “I had to stop and ask, ‘What exactly do I bring to the table?’” she said. “But the more I thought about it, the more I understood what a great way this is for us to tell the rest of the world about Reno-Tahoe.” Three years into the job as tournament director for the Reno-Tahoe Open — she’s the only female tournament director on tour — Smoley has convinced herself what everyone else apparently knew: that hiring her was a good idea. Under her leadership, the tournament has created new partnerships, such as the one with Loudmouth golf apparel, and it has kept its prize money strong despite the absence of a title sponsor. Instead, the tournament is supported by a slew of local sponsors who share Smoley’s view that the event is a great way to tell the rest of the world about Reno-Tahoe.

“What it’s really about is having someone who is passionate about this area, who understands what makes this area so cool, and telling the world about it,” Smoley said. “The tournament really is an amazing asset for a community that used to be known for ‘Reno 911.’”