The Safeway Open Tournament Committee announced today that junior golf phenom Akshay Bhatia has accepted a Sponsor Invitation to compete in his first professional event on the PGA TOUR at the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, September 26-29 at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, CA. On Wednesday, Bhatia became the youngest player ever to be named to the United States Walker Cup Team at the age of 17.
 
Bhatia joins Jordan Spieth and Patrick Rodgers as the most recent players to play on the United States Walker Cup team before playing in college. He made a splash this summer when he played in the Valspar Championship in April as a 17-year-old amateur and two weeks later proceeded to Monday qualify into the Korn Ferry Tour’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship. His appearance at the age of 17 in the Safeway Open will be his first event as a professional.
 
Bhatia has won five junior events in the past year including the Jones Cup Invitational and recently finished in the Top 10 at both the European Amateur Championship and the U.S. Junior Amateur. He won two silver medals at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in both the boy’s individual and the mixed team where he played with Lucy Li. He also represented the United States on the 2017 Junior Presidents Cup and 2018 Junior Ryder Cup teams.
 
“I’m very excited to make the Safeway Open my first event as a professional on the PGA TOUR. This is what I have been working toward for a long time,” said Bhatia. “I am very thankful that Safeway and the tournament committee have given me this exciting opportunity”.
 
Last week former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback and CBS analyst, Tony Romo, also accepted a Sponsor’s Invitation to compete in the Safeway Open presented by Chevron.
 
The winner of the PGA TOUR’s “Most Fan First Event” award last year, the Safeway Open presented by Chevron PGA TOUR golf event and the Chevron three-night Concert Series will provide fans with an authentic Napa experience by bringing together world-renowned local chefs including Thomas Keller of French Laundry, over 50 wineries, popular musicians and 144 of the world’s best golfers all on one stage. The Safeway Open presented by Chevron will return to Silverado Resort and Spa this September 25-29 and again feature 44-time PGA TOUR winner and crowd favorite Phil Mickelson, fan favorite Fred Couples and 142 of the best golfers in the world.
 
The concert series will again be held on the Chevron Stage at Silverado Resort and Spa immediately following completion of the golf tournament rounds featuring country music star Jake Owen on Thursday, legendary rock band Bad Company on Friday and Grammy Award winner Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty on Saturday night. Previous lineups for the Safeway Open Concert Series have included Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, Young the Giant, Weezer, X Ambassadors, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley.
 
Daily tickets to the Safeway Open PGA TOUR event are on sale now for only $35 and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 27,000-square foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion featuring prime viewing platforms and many other on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues. There are NO additional cover charges or upgraded tickets needed for entry into these fan friendly venues on the golf course or the concerts after golf at Silverado.
 
The event is in its fourth year with Safeway as the title sponsor and hosts many of the best golfers in the world as they compete Thursday through Sunday for a $6.6 million-dollar purse, with $1.188 million to the winner. The player field of 144 golfers has included elite players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar, Justin Thomas, Webb Simpson and Paul Casey.
 
The Safeway Open Concert Series is sponsored by Smithfield Foods on Thursday night, Aidells and Gallo Salame on Friday night, and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold on Saturday night.
 
For more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, Safeway Open Concert Series, and to buy tickets, please visit www.safewayopen.com.

Former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback and CBS analyst, Tony Romo, has accepted a Sponsor’s Invitation to play in the Safeway Open presented by Chevron PGA TOUR event September 25-29, at Napa Valley’s Silverado Resort and Spa.
 
Well known for his time as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting Quarterback from 2006 – 2015, Romo holds numerous NFL and Dallas Cowboys’ passing records and was named to four Pro Bowls. Following his retirement in 2016, he was hired by CBS as the lead analyst for their NFL broadcasts. 
 
“I’m very excited to get back inside the ropes at the Safeway Open and very thankful to Bob Miller, Safeway and Jeff Sanders for the opportunity,” said Romo. “I’ve been working hard to improve my game and can’t wait to test myself on the PGA TOUR against some of the best players in the world. I look forward to getting to Silverado to compete at the highest level.”
 
An avid golfer, Romo won the 2018 and 2019 American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, edging former Oakland A’s All-Star pitcher and 2018 Safeway Open presented by Chevron sponsor invitee Mark Mulder. In 2018, Romo was successful in qualifying for the first stage of Q-School in his attempt to earn full playing status on the 2018-2019 Korn Ferry Tour but was unable to finish high enough to secure playing status.
 
"Tony is a tremendous athlete and a very talented competitive golfer with aspirations to play his way onto the PGA Tour," said Jeff Sanders, President of Lagardère Sports Golf Events, the tournaments management company. “We are very excited to see him tee it up alongside many of the best golfers in the world at this year’s Safeway Open at Silverado.”
  
The winner of the PGA TOUR’s “Most Fan First Event” award last year, the Safeway Open PGA TOUR golf event and Safeway Open three-night Concert Series will provide fans with an authentic Napa experience by bringing together world-renowned local chefs including Thomas Keller of French Laundry, over 50 wineries, popular musicians and 144 of the world’s best golfers all on one stage. The Safeway Open presented by Chevron will return to Silverado Resort and Spa this September 25-29 and again feature 44-time PGA TOUR winner and crowd favorite Phil Mickelson and 143 of the best golfers in the world.
 
The concert series will again be held on the Chevron Stage at Silverado Resort and Spa immediately following completion of the golf tournament rounds featuring country music star Jake Owen on Thursday, legendary rock band Bad Company on Friday and Grammy Award winner Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty on Saturday night. Previous lineups for the Safeway Open Concert Series have included Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, Young the Giant, Weezer, X Ambassadors, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley.
 
Daily tickets to the Safeway Open PGA TOUR event are on sale now for only $35 and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 27,000-square foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion featuring prime viewing platforms and many other on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues. There are NO additional cover charges or upgraded tickets needed for entry into these fan friendly venues on the golf course or the concerts after golf at Silverado.
 
The event is in its fourth year with Safeway as the title sponsor and hosts many of the best golfers in the world as they compete Thursday through Sunday for a $6.6 million-dollar purse, with $1.188 million to the winner. The player field of 144 golfers has included elite players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar, Justin Thomas, Webb Simpson and Paul Casey.
 
The Safeway Open Concert Series is sponsored by Smithfield Foods on Thursday night, Aidells and Gallo Salame on Friday night, and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold on Saturday night.
 
For more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, Safeway Open Concert Series, and to buy tickets, please visit www.safewayopen.com.

The Safeway Open presented by Chevron announced today that country music star Jake Owen and rock legends Bad Company, along with Rob Thomas, will perform at the three-night Safeway Open Concert Series, September 26-28, at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, CA.
 
Kicking off the concert series on Thursday night, multiple chart-topping singer/songwriter Jake Owen’s new single “Down To The Honkytonk” is rapidly climbing the Billboard Country Airplay charts. With seven #1 songs to his name, “Down To The Honkytonk” follows Owen’s fastest-rising career #1 single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane).” Owen’s songs have resonated with listeners and audiences everywhere with 2X PLATINUM anthem “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” PLATINUM-certified hits “Beachin,’” “Anywhere With You,” “Alone With You,” “The One That Got Away,” and GOLD-certified “American Country Love Song.” Owen’s fifth studio album, AMERICAN LOVE, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart.
 
On Friday night, rock supergroup Bad Company with legendary singer/songwriter, Paul Rodgers, will take the stage performing their chart-topping hits “Bad Company,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Shooting Star” and many more. The band includes original drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and Todd Ronning on bass. One of the most acclaimed bands of the classic rock era, Bad Company has put its indelible stamp on rock ‘n’ roll with a straight-ahead, no-frills musical approach that has resulted in the creation of some of the most timeless rock anthems ever.
 
Previously announced, GRAMMY® award winner and lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, will perform on Saturday immediately following golf as the third and final act of the three-night concert series.
 
The winner of the PGA TOUR’s “Most Fan First Event” award last year, the Safeway Open PGA TOUR golf event and Safeway Open three-night Concert Series will provide fans with an authentic Napa experience by bringing together world-renowned local chefs including Thomas Keller of French Laundry, over 50 wineries, popular musicians and 144 of the world’s best golfers all on one stage. The Safeway Open presented by Chevron will return to Silverado Resort and Spa this September 25-29 and again feature 44-time PGA TOUR winner and crowd favorite Phil Mickelson and 143 of the best golfers in the world.
 
The concert series will again be held on the Chevron Stage at Silverado Resort and Spa immediately following completion of the golf tournament rounds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Previous lineups for the Safeway Open Concert Series have included Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, Young the Giant, Weezer, X Ambassadors, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley.
 
Daily tickets to the Safeway Open PGA TOUR event are on sale now for only $35 and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 27,000-square foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion featuring prime viewing platforms and many other on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues. There are NO additional cover charges or upgraded tickets needed for entry into these fan friendly venues on the golf course or the concerts after golf at Silverado.
 
The event is in its fourth year with Safeway as the title sponsor and hosts many of the best golfers in the world as they compete Thursday through Sunday for a $6.6 million-dollar purse, with $1.188 million to the winner. The player field of 144 golfers has included elite players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar, Justin Thomas, Webb Simpson and Paul Casey.
 
The Safeway Open Concert Series is sponsored by Smithfield Foods on Thursday night, Aidells and Gallo Salame on Friday night, and Anheuser-Busch on Saturday night.
 
For more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, Safeway Open Concert Series, and to buy tickets, please visit www.safewayopen.com.

For the Register

Three-time Grammy winner Rob Thomas will take the stage Sept. 28 to conclude the three-night Safeway Open Concert Series after golf play ends at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, organizers announced Thursday.

“We are very excited to bring an amazing talent like Rob Thomas to the Safeway Open Concert Series this year,” said Jeff Sanders, executive director of the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, in a press release announcing the concert.

“Thanks to the great support from the Albertsons Companies and Safeway along with presenting sponsor Chevron, the Safeway Open offers our fans the best value on the PGA Tour. We are looking forward to another fun week of entertainment with great golf, delicious food, fine wines and amazing music at Silverado Resort.”

A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Thomas became popular as the co-founder and front man of rock band Matchbox Twenty. The group was founded in 1995 and quickly rose to success when their debut album reached Diamond Certified status, selling over 12 million copies in the U.S. The band has since released three more albums, two of which reached multi-platinum status including hit songs “3AM”, “Push”, “If You’re Gone” and “Unwell”.

In addition to his success with Matchbox Twenty, Thomas has maintained an award-winning solo career as both a singer and songwriter.

In 1999 his collaboration with Carlos Santana on the hit single “Smooth” won three Grammy awards and was named the “#2 Hot 100 Song of All-Time” by Billboard. Thomas is currently touring the United States, which includes his performance at the Safeway Open Concert Series this September.

The winner of the PGA Tour’s “Most Fan First Event” award last year, the Safeway Open PGA Tour golf event and Safeway Open three-night Concert Series will again bring together local chefs, including Thomas Keller of The French Laundry, over 50 wineries, popular musicians and 144 of the world’s best golfers all on one stage.

The Safeway Open presented by Chevron will return to Silverado Resort and Spa this Sept. 25-29 and again feature 44-time PGA Tour winner and crowd favorite Phil Mickelson.

The three-night concert series will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 26, immediately following the golf tournament and continue Friday and Saturday evenings on the Silverado Resort property.

The bands for Thursday and Friday evening will be announced next month. Previous lineups for the Safeway Open Concert Series have included Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, Young the Giant, Weezer, X Ambassadors, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum.

Daily tickets to the Safeway Open PGA Tour event are $35 and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 27,000-square foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion featuring viewing platforms and many on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues.

This is the fourth year with Safeway as the title sponsor for the tournament. Golfers will compete for a $6.6 million purse, with $1.188 million to the winner.

For information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, Safeway Open Concert Series, and to buy tickets, visit safewayopen.com.

The Safeway Open presented by Chevron (Napa, California) was honored by the PGA TOUR at the TOUR’s Tournament Meetings on December 6 in LaQuinta, California.
 
The 2017 Safeway Open played at Silverado Resort and Spa was recognized as the “Most Fan-First Event,” an accolade it shares with the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
 
“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to congratulate the Safeway Open for this special recognition,” said PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer Andy Pazder. “The tournament committee should be extremely proud of its hard work and innovation in making the event the ultimate experience for its attendees.”

The “Most Fan-First Event” Award honors the PGA TOUR tournament which provides the best fan experience through ticket package options and pricing, food and beverage offerings, parking and accessibility, onsite amenities and social media engagement.
 
The 2017 Safeway Open provided fans an authentic Napa experience, featuring PGA TOUR competition alongside world-renowned chefs and wineries and popular musicians. The Safeway Food & Wine Pavilion, a 25,000-square-foot climate controlled venue, featured the best of Napa’s culinary fare, tasting flights and decks for optimal viewing of golf action. Following play on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Gavin DeGraw, Weezer and the Goo Goo Dolls performed live from the course. All of these enhanced attractions were available with a $30 general admission ticket.
 
“The Safeway Open presented by Chevron is honored to accept this prestigious award on behalf of our growing number of loyal fans who embrace and support our fan friendly golf entertainment model featuring the best of food, wine, music and PGA TOUR golf at affordable prices. We owe a very special thank you to our amazing Title Sponsor Safeway and Bob Miller, the Chairman of the Albertsons Companies, whose vision and leadership has been critical to the events success, our treasured sponsors, hard-working volunteers, the members and ownership at Silverado and our dedicated team of associates at Lagardere Sports. We are both humbled and honored to receive this award, said Jeff Sanders, Executive Director.

MARTY JAMES mjames@napanews.com

Sunday began with a 9 a.m. weather forecast from the PGA Tour for the final round of the $6.4 million Safeway Open at Silverado Resort and Spa.

It was not very pretty: “A high wind event is forecast for Napa County today. Peak wind gusts of 25-30 mph are possible here at the golf course today, but don’t expect the winds to be consistent. Swirling winds and changing speeds/directions are not uncommon at this location due to the surrounding terrain. Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity are forecast this afternoon.”

The winds blew hard for most of the day, with gusts reaching up to 36 mph and the temperature rising to a high of 84, and most of the scores were on the high side, as the conditions were tough just about everywhere on the North Course.

The long day ended in the fading sunlight, at 6:32 p.m., with a playoff that was decided on the third hole. With sunset at 6:42 p.m. fast approaching, Kevin Tway won it by making a birdie putt from 10 feet that moved right to left and beat Ryan Moore on the par-4, 10th hole.

It was Tway’s first PGA Tour win. He went birdie, birdie, birdie in the playoff. He is the son of Bob Tway, an eight-time winner on Tour. Bob Tway won the PGA Championship in 1986.

Tway was fantastic late in the day, making birdies on his final five holes, including the playoff holes. He and his dad become the 10th father-son duo to win on the PGA Tour.

He receives $1,152,000 and also gets 500 FedExCup points. He gets an exemption to the Masters and a spot into the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Maui next year.

“It was nice to get hot at the end,” said Tway. “I wasn’t really in it on the front nine. Brandt (Snedeker) made a couple bogeys starting the back. I was kind of right there, but kind of hanging around. I birdied 17, 18 to get into the playoff and then kept it going in the playoff and here I am.

“The golf course was hard enough. You kind of had a lot to think about to begin with. I was just trying to put the ball in the fairway, which was very difficult. I knew the last few holes were a little bit easier, so I tried to just keep making pars until then. And then I got hot at the end.”

The Safeway Open, presented by Chevron, is the first event of the PGA Tour’s 2018-19 wrap-around schedule that bridges two years. The tournament is part of the FedExCup schedule.

This is the third year of the Safeway Open, which is part of the PGA Tour’s 46-tournament schedule for 2018-19 that concludes with three FedExCup Playoff events. There are eight events in the fall.

Brandt Snedeker, who took a three-shot lead into the final round, and Moore and Tway were tied atop the leaderboard at the end of 72 holes of regulation at 14-under-par 274. Moore went low in the final round with a 67, Snedeker had a 74 and Tway shot 71.

They advanced to a playoff.

Moore and Tway moved on to the second hole of the playoff after each made birdie on No. 18. Moore’s birdie putt was from 5 feet, 7 inches. Tway’s birdie putt was from 7 feet. Snedeker missed his birdie putt from nine feet and was eliminated after he made par.

The second playoff hole was also on No. 18. They each made birdie after each hit the green in two.

On No. 10, the third playoff hole, Moore missed the fairway left on his drive and left his second shot just short of the green. He putted from the green and missed, the ball stopping just short of the hole.

Tway hit the fairway on his drive and knocked his approach from 123 yards on the green. It was only the seventh birdie on the 10th hole all day.

It was the second playoff in the past four years at Silverado.

Tway was rock-solid at the end, with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to finish the round to get into the playoff.

Tway reached No. 18 in two in the final round and got to 14-under by making birdie.
Moore birdied No. 18 to get to 14 under.

Snedeker got to 15-under with a birdie putt from 10 feet on No. 16. A bogey on the 17th hole dropped him back a shot. He had a chance to win with a birdie putt from 49 feet on No. 18, the putt falling just short of the hole.

The day was a combination of sunny and breezy and sunny and windy – conditions that factored in the scoring. Workers spent the day blowing leaves off tees and greens.
Snedeker began the final round at 16-under, three in front of Tway.

Moore played very well in the final round, turning in one of the lowest rounds. Moore’s caddie is JJ Jakovac, a Napa native and Vintage High School graduate.

“On a day like today, it’s not necessarily about how you’re swinging, how you’re hitting it. It’s how you can just get the ball in the hole. Somehow I managed to do that today,” said Moore. “It wasn’t the start I wanted, but knew it was going to be a tough day. I just kind of told myself be patient, don’t worry about it too much and let’s grind out some pars early. I was able to just put together a really scrappy round of golf really.”

The par-72 course played shorter on Sunday. The par-3 holes played 163 yards shorter, as the tees were moved up.

Snedeker, who is seeking his 10th career win, struggled with consecutive bogeys on Nos. 10, 11 and 12, dropping his score to 14-under.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Snedeker, who had as much as a five-shot lead in the final round. “I played a really good front nine in tough conditions and made the turn on the back nine and actually drove the ball really well. I had a lot of opportunities. Just hit some really poor iron shots, left myself in places you can’t do it. Didn’t make any putts. It’s done and I didn’t do it. It’s disappointing and it sucks right now. I played probably 63 holes of pretty damn good golf and nine holes I wish I had back.”

Luke List (67), Troy Merritt (68), Sam Ryder (69), Aaron Baddeley (69) and Sungjae Im (71) tied at 13-under.

Tournament Notes
* The field was reduced from 86 to 74 players following Saturday’s 54-hole third-round cut.
* Two-time defending Safeway Open champion Brendan Steele tied for 53rd. Steele won here in 2016 and 2017.
* Friday’s attendance was announced at 20,000. Saturday’s attendance was announced at 25,000. Sunday’s attendance was 20,000. The attendance for the week was 82,500.

Ex-MLB All-Star and Oakland A’s pitcher Mark Mulder receives sponsor invitation

Napa, CA (August 28, 2018) – Today at Media Day for the Safeway Open presented by Chevron at Silverado Resort and Spa, Lagardere Sports Executive Vice President, Jeff Sanders and Albertsons Companies CEO Bob Miller announced sponsors invitations for Major Champion Fred Couples as well as retired Major League Baseball player and former A’s all-star pitcher Mark Mulder.

Couples, a longtime fan favorite is known for his unique personality and long distance drives off the tee. Earning the nickname “Boom Boom” for his towering drives, Couples is the 1992 Masters Champion, a 15-time winner on the PGA TOUR and 13-time winner on the PGA TOUR Champions. He is also the first American to ever be ranked number one on the Official World Golf Rankings. This will be Couple’s first appearance at the Safeway Open presented by Chevron. 

 “We’re excited to bring one of the most popular players amongst golf fans around the world to Napa this October,” said Sanders. “Freddy is always a crowd favorite. His smooth style and laid-back persona will fit beautifully here in the Napa Valley.” 

Mulder, a two-time All-Star with the Oakland Athletics in 2003 and 2004, became a larger than life figure in the Bay Area when he anchored the rotation alongside Barry Zito and Tim Hudson. Mulder led Major League Baseball in 2001 with 21 wins and struck out a career high 159 batters the following season.

Following his baseball career Mulder has been a regular at the American Century celebrity golf tournament on the North shore of Lake Tahoe. After winning the event three consecutive years (2015-17), Mulder finished runner-up this summer to retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS commentator Tony Romo. Mulder is a scratch golfer and will look to make history by becoming the first professional athlete from another sport to make the cut in a PGA TOUR event. 

“Mark has a deep connection with the sports community in the Bay Area and he’s got some serious game on the course too,” continued Sanders. “We know the A’s fans will be out here supporting him and it will be fun to watch as he tests his game against PGA TOUR players and Silverado’s North Course.”

Fresh off of his win at The Wyndham Championship, Brandt Snedeker has committed to the Safeway Open presented by Chevron. He captured the golf world’s attention when he carded a first round 59, becoming just the ninth player in PGA TOUR history to do so. This will be the nine-time PGA TOUR winner’s first appearance in Napa since 2015.

The Safeway Open is in its third year with Safeway as the title sponsor. This year will mark the third consecutive appearance by Phil Mickelson at the Safeway Open. Phil will be joined by many of the best golfers in the world as they compete Thursday through Sunday, October 4-7 for a $6.4 million-dollar purse, with $1.152 million to the winner. In addition to Mickelson, last year’s field of 144 golfers included elite players such as PLAYERS Champion Webb Simpson, Tony Finau and Zach Johnson. 

The Safeway Open presented by Chevron and the three-night Safeway Open Concert Series will provide fans with an authentic Napa experience, bringing together world-renowned local chefs and wineries, popular musicians and the world’s best golfers all on one stage. The event will again feature a concert series with three consecutive nights of music after golf, featuring Sammy Hagar & The Circle, Young the Giant, and Billy Idol.

Daily tickets are only $30 to the Safeway Open PGA TOUR event are on sale now and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 25,000-square foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion and on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues. No additional cover charges are required.

The Safeway Open presented by Chevron and Safeway Open Concert Series are managed by Lagardère Sports. For more information on the Safeway Open and to purchase tickets, please visit www.safewayopen.com.

Al Saracevic | on August 28, 2018

Johnny Miller was in a good place when last year’s Safeway Open came to an end.
The Hall of Famer had helped put on yet another successful PGA Tour event, with Brendan Steele winning against a competitive field for the second year in a row. Miller had every reason to be proud.

Then the unthinkable happened.

“It was something I’ll never forget. The fact that we had a good tournament, with a good finish … I was back at my condo relaxing. Then I smelled that smoke,” Miller told The Chronicleafter Tuesday’s media event for this year’s tournament. “For some reason, I can smell smoke better than most people. I’m thinking, ‘What the heck is that smoke?’ And I look out and the whole mountain to the north is glowing orange. I’m thinking, ‘You gotta be kidding me.’”

It was no joke. The flames from Napa’s Atlas Peak swooped down and badly damaged parts of the famed Silverado Country Club, burning down grandstands that had been full of fans just hours before. From that respect, things could’ve been much worse. But for Miller, his family and thousands of other Napa residents, this was a full-blown nightmare.

“The wind was blowing from that direction, from the north, and it was heading right for us. I was thinking, ‘We need to get out of there.’ This is not good,” Miller said. “When I moved in 1981 to Utah, by (fellow Hall of Famer) Billy Casper’s house, that day that same wind was blowing and a fire was lapping up against those same houses on the north side. It was a bad dream coming around a second time.”

Miller was able to evacuate himself and others to safety that horrible night. But his daughter lost her condo and all her possessions in the Atlas Fire. Hundreds more lost their homes, as well.

One year later, Miller and his partners in the annual Safeway Open gathered at Silverado to promote this year’s tournament, which will be played Oct. 4-7. The course looks immaculate. The projected field of players is particularly strong. One would think that nothing ever happened here. But Miller and his neighbors know better.

“The cleanup process was just terrible,” said Miller, still looking fit at 71. “It took so long. It’s been really hard on me to be honest. I love to fix things and make things better and make them right again. It’s just a slow process. I feel bad for the people who lost all their belongings, like my daughter. I don’t know. It was just really hard.”

The tournament plans to help in that regard, donating all of this year’s ticket-sale proceeds to fire relief charities.

“All the proceeds ... will go to the fire victims in Napa Valley,” Miller said. “To me, that’s just amazing. ... There’s still a big need on people trying to get back on their feet.”

Ticket sales should be helped by the presence of players such as Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples, both of whom have committed to playing this year. Crowd favorite Brandt Snedeker also will be on hand, and more are expected to commit in the next few weeks. The tournament has granted a sponsor’s exemption for former A’s pitcher Mark Mulder, who has become an accomplished golfer in his retirement.

The Safeway event is the first of the season, as the golf calendar turns.

“My enjoyment and appreciation for the golf course is a big reason I come back to play every year,” said Mickelson, via conference call. “It’s a fun golf course. The greens are a big part of that. … I’m very comfortable on poa annua greens. I grew up on them.”

The surroundings don’t hurt the draw, either.

“I love coming there when there’s not a tournament, because I can have a little bit of wine,” Mickelson said. “Everything about Napa is the best. It’s the best wine, the best food, the best weather. It’s the beauty. Everything is just spectacular.”

Snedeker may have been most honest about the situation when he said: “Napa’s such a special place. Every wife and girlfriend loves going there.”

This year’s event, which is the tour’s cheapest for spectators at $30 per ticket, also will feature nightly free concerts after the golf concludes, featuring the likes of Sammy Hagar, Young the Giant and Billy Idol.

There you have it: Golf, wine, charity and Sammy Hagar. It’s all lining up in Napa on the first week of October.

“I’m looking forward to a great tournament,” Miller said. “It’s nice to have Phil back. It’s nice to have Brandt Snedeker back. ... It’s going to be a wonderful week of golf.”

Here’s hoping Johnny smells only cigar smoke that weekend.

Al Saracevic is sports editor of The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: asaracevic@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @alsaracevic

NBC golf commentator and Silverado resident says all proceeds from the Safeway Open will go to fellow fire victims
By Colin Resch

A golf legend is set to use his passion and profession to help Napa County rise from the ashes of last year’s fires.

Johnny Miller was among those who ran for their lives as the Atlas Fire raced into Napa Valley’s Silverado neighborhood. Now, Miller is ready to use a marquee tournament to help his neighbors recover.

Like many in the communities surrounding the Silverado Resort and Spa, Dan and Cindi Dwyer lost their house on the night of Oct. 8. Their son took video the following day, remnants of the home they shared for 12 years still smoldering.

"We tried to cram as much stuff as we could in the car, but gosh, in hindsight, we left so much," Dan Dwyer said. "You know what I mean? Things that meant ... sentimental things like wedding pictures."

Today, their lot is still dirt and rubble and the members of the Silverado Resort call one of its condos home. But not for long. They intend to rebuild soon. The permits just went through, they said.

"If you look at this beautiful view that we used to look at every day, we want it back, and we’re going to come back stronger than ever," Dan said.

Cindi added: "We’re going to have a bigger dining room so we can sit a few more people for meals; we’re excited about that. I mean, so many people have had us for meals that now maybe we can reciprocate after all of this. And the stories that we could tell you about people sort of stepping out of their comfort zones just to offer help is just unbelievable."

Miller, an NBC golf commentator, co-owns Silverado and calls it home. He recalls what he and his family had to endure here nearly 11 months ago.

"We had to evacuate twice to get away from the fires and the smoke, and it was a terrible thing," Miller said. "We lost here at Silverado 31 condos, I think it was, and 100 homes. Lost my daughter’s home and everything she had."

It’s why Miller, with the assistance of title sponsor Safeway, has decided to do something virtually unheard of at this year’s tournament.

"All the money from the ticket sales goes right to the fire victims," he said. "So no one’s taking a dime of your money if you come out and pay that $30. There’s going to be a lot of money raised, and it’s going to go to some really needy causes fire-wise."
The Safeway Open tees off Oct. 3-7.

Courtesy of Napa Valley Register

Rockers Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Young the Giant, and Billy Idol will perform at the Safeway Open Concert Series at Silverado Resort and Spa in October, organizers announced Thursday. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward relief efforts for last year’s wildfires.

The three-night lineup kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 4, with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and former Van Halen lead singer Sammy Hagar and his new band The Circle, performing classics from his career. The band includes former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, drum legend Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson.

Friday, Oct. 5, features rock group Young the Giant, with their hit songs “Cough Syrup” and “It’s About Time.” The band’s lead singer Sameer Gadhia has “one of the great contemporary rock voices,” according to the New York Times.

On the final night, Saturday, Oct. 6, Grammy-nominated artist Billy Idol will follow up on his successful appearance at this year’s BottleRock Music Festival, where he was a crowd favorite.

Now in its third year, The Safeway Open presented by Chevron brings together PGA golf action with food and wine in the region and three nights of music, starting after the day’s golf play wraps up.

“The Safeway Open offers our fans the best value on the PGA Tour featuring world-class golf and music along with amazing food and wines at the most affordable pricing of the year,” said Jeff Sanders, executive director of the Safeway Open presented by Chevron. “It’s going to be another fun week of entertainment filled with great golf, delicious food, fine wines and amazing music at Silverado in October.”

Albertsons Companies CEO and Chairman Bob Miller announced back in March that this year’s Safeway Open presented by Chevron and Safeway Open Concert series will be donating 100 percent of all ticket sales in support of the ongoing fire relief efforts in the Napa Valley. Held annually at Silverado Resort and Spa, the PGA Tour golf event and concert series concluded just a few hours before the devastating fires hit the area last October.

Previous lineups for the Safeway Open Concert Series have included Weezer, X Ambassadors, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum.

This year, the shows will again be held on the Chevron Stage at Silverado Resort and Spa immediately following completion of the golf tournament rounds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Daily tickets to the Safeway Open PGA Tour event are on sale now and include admission to the Safeway Open Concert Series, as well as the 27,000-square-foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion featuring prime viewing platforms and many on-site food, wine, beer and spirits venues. There is no additional cover charge or upgraded tickets needed for entry into these venues on the golf course.

The event is in its third year with Safeway as the title sponsor and hosts many of the best golfers in the world as they compete Thursday through Sunday for a $6.4 million-dollar purse, with $1.152 million to the winner. The player field of 144 golfers has included elite players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar, Justin Thomas, Webb Simpson and Paul Casey.

The Safeway Concert Series is presented by Smithfield Foods on Thursday night, Jameson Irish Whiskey on Friday night and Golden Road Brewing on Saturday night. The Safeway Open and Safeway Open Concert Series are produced and managed by Lagardère Sports.

For more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron, Safeway Open Concert Series, and to buy tickets to support fire relief efforts in the Napa Valley, visit safewayopen.com.