SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Two-time PGA TOUR winner, fan favorite, adds name to commit list just in time for tournament play Aug. 1-7, 2011
With only a few days left before the start of the 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open, Tournament Director Jana Smoley today announced a commitment from two-time PGA TOUR winner Thomas Brent “Boo” Weekley to play in the 2011 event at Montrêux Golf & Country Club. Weekley returns to Reno for only the second time in his career, having finished T35 in 2002. Weekley joins other recent commitments to the Reno-Tahoe Open including major winners Rich Beem, John Daly, David Duval, Lee Janzen and Jose Maria Olazabal.
Weekley, famous for his fun-loving antics, including riding his driver like a horse down the first fairway at the 2008 Ryder Cup, is one of the most outgoing players on the PGA TOUR and a favorite among fans. Since joining the TOUR in 2002 and regaining his card in 2007, Weekley has quickly become a gallery favorite due in part to his interesting camouflage clothing choices and happy-go-lucky demeanor.
“Boo is a tremendous person and a tremendous player and one that I’ve been working on getting to Reno for a very long time,” said Jana Smoley, executive director of the Reno-Tahoe Open. “I’m most excited about his return to the tournament because Boo really takes the time to interact with fans and contributes to them having an unforgettable experience on the course. Players like him are a big part of why our fans return year after year and we’re proud to welcome him back.”
After regaining his PGA TOUR card in 2007, Boo Weekley went on to have his most impressive year to-date after winning his first PGA TOUR event at the 2007 Verizon Heritage, finishing T9 at the PGA Championship, his highest ever in a major, and representing the United States at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup where he finished second. He defended his title in 2008, winning his second and only other PGA TOUR event at the 2008 Verizon Heritage. Placing in the top 25 on the Official World Golf Rankings the same year, Weekley joined the winning 2008 Ryder Cup team where he was criticized by some for having a little too much fun while on the course.
In 2011, Weekley has made eight out of 17 cuts with his highest finish coming at the Bob Hope Classic at T13 after shooting 21-under-par. Weekley is also one of the most accurate players on TOUR when it comes to hitting the greens, with a 70.2 percent greens in regulation average, placing him fifth among other TOUR players. Finishing 14th in the 2008 FedExCup standings, Weekley currently sits at 150th for the 2011 season.
For more information on the 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open at Montrêux, including ticket sales, vacation packages, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.RenoTahoeOpen.com or contact the tournament office at 775-322-3900.
The 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open at Montrêux, an official PGA TOUR event, takes place Aug. 1 – 7, 2011 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev. The tournament is a full-field stop during the PGA TOUR Regular Season and is part of the FedExCup series, a points competition for PGA TOUR professionals. The internationally-televised tournament brings in millions of dollars in coverage for the Reno-Tahoe region through its affiliation with The Golf Channel as it follows 132 PGA TOUR professionals competing for a share of the tournament’s $3 million purse. The Reno-Tahoe Open is operated and managed by the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation, comprised of key sponsors including Eldorado Hotel Reno, Montrêux Development Group and NV Energy.
