The City of Indian Wells and International Management Group agree to a three-year deal
INDIAN WELLS GOLF RESORT TO HOST THE LG SKINS GAME
 

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- The Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort will host the 2007 LG SKINS GAME. The City of Indian Wells, ESPN Regional Television, IMG Media and LG Electronics, Inc. agreed to a three-year deal allowing this Thanksgiving tradition to remain in the Coachella Valley through 2009. One of the top rated second-season golf events, the $1 million LG SKINS GAME will be televised on ABC Sports on November 24-25, 2007.

  
"We heard that the LG SKINS GAME might leave the valley; we didn't want that to happen and we knew that the Indian Wells Golf Resort would be the right venue for this acclaimed golf tournament," said Indian Wells Mayor Rob Bernheimer. "Hosting the LG SKINS GAME as well as the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells will continue to increase marketing exposure, subsequently giving a major boost to valley tourism and further positioning Indian Wells as a world-renowned resort and sports destination." 
  

"It will be terrific to celebrate the 25th Year of the LG SKINS GAME in Indian Wells," said Barry Frank, IMG Media Vice Chair. "The new course is absolutely beautiful and should be a real challenge to our golfers." 
 

Clive Clark's latest creation, the par-72 7,088-yard Celebrity Course, opened November 1, 2006 to rave reviews. Strategically speaking, the Celebrity Course, with its many built-in risk/reward challenges, sets up very well for this distinctive format, as Clive Clark's elegant design will require tour players to think their way around the golf course instead of simply overpowering it. On the front side, holes 4, 5 and 6 will certainly get their attention. The fourth is a reachable par 5 with an island green that will make for an interesting target with long-iron in-hand. The fifth is a long bombs-away par 4, and the sixth is a long par 3 that plays nearly 240 yards from the back tees. On the back side, holes 12, 14 and 17 will likely be the site where a few skins are earned. The 12th sets up as a short par 4 that cajoles golfers to go for it in one bringing birdie or even eagle into play. The 14th is a reachable par 5 with a cascading waterfall and pond guarding the right, and the 17th is a slight dogleg right with a well-bunkered green complex and water short and right of the green.

 

"During the LG SKINS GAME, the professional golfers will be immediately struck by the beauty of the golf course," said Orrin Vincent, CEO of OB Sports Golf Management, management firm for the Indian Wells Golf Resort. "But they'll need to snap out of it and prepare to make good decisions and execute great golf shots to be successful." 
  

Aesthetically speaking, Clark utilized many of the mature trees found on the original property to impart the feel of a venerable facility while at the same time delivering a modern approach to golf course design. Most of the holes are oriented north/south to take advantage of views of the San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and San Bernardino mountain ranges, and an Indian Wells icon, Eisenhower Mountain, stands sentinel to the south. Wildflowers that cover the out of play areas as well as the areas encircling the green complexes create a colorful backdrop. As a "core golf" layout, roads and homes do not intrude into the playing field, and each hole is designed to be somewhat sheltered from the others to elicit a feeling of solitude. The golf course's seven water features -- waterfalls, creeks and ponds -- come into play on nine holes, and by design, they deliver the one-two punch of aesthetic beauty and strategic appeal.
  

Indian Wells Golf Resort has been a popular golf travel destination for nearly 20 years offering two golf courses and four hotel/resorts. The City of Indian Wells, owner of the golf resort, decided to reinvest in tourism by embarking on a $55 million project. The opening of the Celebrity Course marks the first step, and the new John Fought-designed Player's Course -- along with the new 53,000 square foot Douglas Fredrikson-designed IW Club -- will follow in November of 2007. For more information about Indian Wells Golf Resort at call 760.346.4653 or visit www.indianwellsgolfresort.com. 
 
Indian Wells Golf Resort is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management which currently manages 25 premier golf facilities throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, the company has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information about OB Sports Golf Management, visit www.obsports.com  or call (480) 948-1300.