Get Your Game In Shape For A Trip To Las Vegas!
By Thad Gutowski

When you have teed it up in as many events around the country as John Traub has over the past twenty-five years, you know what it takes to put on a first class tournament. The Tommy Hilfiger and TaylorMade National Pro- Am Tournaments are just that, first class all the way.

Traub, head golf professional at the Detroit Golf Club, is the creator and director of the three team events held each year in Las Vegas. His stellar reputation as a player and consummate club professional are why two of golf's premier suppliers play an important sponsorship role.

Everything about the program is unique. It begins with Hilfiger and TaylorMade offering invitations to selected club professionals throughout the country whom in turn pick four amateurs to fill out the team.

Each tournament begins on Sunday evening with an introductory cocktail party. Three days of play follow with a team best-ball, low-net and low-gross format. Amateurs receive 80 per cent of their handicap with a maximum of 18. But everyone is not a low handicap baby boomer. An 83-year-old "super senior" is one of the first to sign up each year.

Competition is held on six of the most acclaimed courses in the Las Vegas area: Anthem Country Club, Rhodes Ranch, Paiute, Sienna and Revere Anthem.

Following play each day the contestants gather for cocktails and hor d'oeuvres at the Golden Nugget, the host hotel. Incidentally, everyone enjoys single room accommodations. No dreaded double occupancy here! Oh yes, a "favor package" with over 300 dollars of high-end merchandise is also included. Did I say first-class?

The victors receive their awards and bragging rights at a grand finale dinner on Wednesday.

Prizes are awarded to the members of the first five teams in each of four flights - handsome crystal trophies and gift certificates redeemable at their home clubs. Each winning team member receives a $500 certificate. Second, third, fourth and fifth place team members receive $400, $300, $200 and $100 respectively

The Tommy Hilfiger and TaylorMade National Pro-Am Tournaments have grown from 27 teams in 1997 to the present 100 teams in each event.

So what's all this special treatment going to cost - three days of golf, four nights single lodging, cocktail parties, award dinner, top-end gifts, and a chance to win $500 in merchandise as well as a crystal trophy for your den? Less than you might think. Only $1,675 per entrant.

For more details call John Traub at 313.345.1818 and start planning where you are going to put the crystal!