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.

Napa, CA (June 7, 2018) – The Safeway Open presented by Chevron announced today that rock bands 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 Napa, CA, Oct. 4-6, 2018.
 
The Safeway Open PGA TOUR golf event and Safeway Open three-night 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 Safeway Open will again be played at Silverado Resort and Spa this Oct. 4-8 and will again feature 43-time PGA TOUR winner and crowd favorite Phil Mickelson and 143 of the best golfers in the world.
 
The three-night concert series will kick off on Thursday evening with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and former Van Halen lead singer Sammy Hagar and The Circle performing many Van Halen classics as only he can. Rounding out The Circle is former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, drum legend Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson.
 
Friday evening will feature rock group Young the Giant with their hit songs “Cough Syrup” and “It’s About Time.” The bands lead singer Sameer Gadhia has “one of the great contemporary rock voices” according to the New York Times.
 
Grammy nominated artist Billy Idol will headline the final night of the concert series on Saturday evening at Silverado. Idol recently gave an electric performance at Bottle Rock in Napa, CA and was a crowd favorite, receiving outstanding reviews.
 
“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.” 
 
New this year, Albertsons & Safeway CEO Robert Miller announced back in March that this year’s Safeway Open presented by Chevron and Safeway Open Concert series will be donating 100% of all ticket sales in support of the ongoing fire relief efforts in the Napa Valley. Held annually at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, CA, 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 charges or upgraded tickets needed for entry into these fan friendly 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 www.safewayopen.com.

Napa, CA (March 1, 2018) – The Safeway Open presented by Chevron has announced that 100% of ticket sales from this year’s event will be donated to rebuilding Napa Valley and the ongoing fire relief efforts in the area. The event, which kicks off the PGA TOUR season annually at the beautiful Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, CA, concluded just a few hours before the Atlas Peak fires erupted last October.
 
“We are terribly saddened by the loss of life and devastation the wildfires caused in the Napa Valley and the surrounding communities,” said Jeff Sanders, Executive Vice-President of Lagardere Sports, the event’s management company. “The Safeway Open is committed to supporting the fire relief efforts and rebuilding of Napa Valley by giving back 100% of this year’s ticket sales revenue to non-profits in the local area in support of those efforts."
 
The commitment from the Safeway Open presented by Chevron follows a prior donation of $200,000 from the tournament back in October as well as $1,000,000 from Albertsons Company, the parent company of Safeway. In addition, over $4,000,000 was raised in Safeway stores through its loyal customers throughout Northern California and donated back to fire relief efforts last fall. 
 
“Supporting the communities where we live and serve our customers is at the heart of our company’s culture,” said Bob Miller, Chairman and CEO of Albertsons Companies, the parent company of Safeway. “Safeway and the Safeway Open golf event will continue to support those in the Napa Valley region as they rebuild from this tragedy.”
 
To buy tickets and for more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron please visit www.safewayopen.com.

Executive Director Jeff Sanders announced today that the Safeway Open presented by Chevron will donate $200,000 in support of fire relief efforts in Napa and Sonoma Counties. The Safeway Open PGA TOUR event was held at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa and concluded just hours prior to the start of the wildfires on Sunday, October 8th.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of life and devastation the recent wildfires have caused in Napa and the surrounding communities,” said Sanders. “The tournament’s success for local charities this year was driven by the incredible support of the people of Napa and the Silverado community. The Safeway Open is committed to supporting the relief efforts and rebuilding of Napa and the surrounding wine country".
 
The contribution from the Safeway Open comes just after Albertsons Companies, parent company of Safeway, announced a point of sale fundraising campaign across stores in its Western divisions toward fire relief efforts in California. The Albertsons Companies Foundation pledged to match $500,000.
 
“Supporting the communities where we live and serve our customers is at the heart of our company’s culture,” said Bob Miller, Chairman and CEO of Albertsons Companies, the parent company of Safeway. “Safeway and the Safeway Open golf event will continue to support those in the Napa Valley region as they rebuild from this tragedy.”
 
For more information on the Safeway Open presented by Chevron visit www.safewayopen.com.

Courtesy of PGATOUR.COM
Brendan Steele interview after winning Safeway

NAPA, Calif. – During the award ceremony Sunday night after his second consecutive Safeway Open win, Brendan Steele saw celebrity chef Thomas Keller, who owns the award-winning The French Laundry.

On Friday night, Steele had dined at the restaurant, which is 10 miles from the Silverado course. A year ago, Steele also dined at The French Laundry on Friday night.

“The problem two years ago was I didn’t have dinner there on Friday night,” Steele said, referencing the last time he didn’t win at Silverado despite leading after 54 holes. “The last two years I had dinner there on Friday night and we got two wins out of it, so that’s definitely a tradition that’s not going to end.”

Indeed, Steele would love nothing more than to continue filling up on whatever Silverado is willing to serve him. On Sunday, it was challenging scoring conditions, with Steele leaning on his knowledge and experience to shoot a 3-under 69 – one of just seven rounds in the 60s – to rally from a two-stroke deficit to start the day. He finished at 15 under, two strokes ahead of Tony Finau, who suffered a double bogey at the 14th hole that ultimately cost him a chance to force a playoff.

After playing the front nine bogey free for the third straight day, Steele grabbed the lead for good, and then bounced back from a couple of bogeys by birdieing the par-5 16th and 18th holes. With short-game coach Chris Mason on his bag this week, Steele made the right adjustments with his club selection.

“You can’t just figure out your shot a minute before you play it while somebody else is hitting because it changes by the time that comes up,” Steele said about the wind conditions. “So you have to have a sense as you’re getting into it whether you’ve got the right club or not. … Sometimes that works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Today it did.”

Now Steele hopes to make the necessary adjustments that he hopes will pay off in, oh, about 10 months.

After winning the Safeway Open a year ago, Steele maintained a solid position in the FedExCup standings for the entire regular season. He was 16th entering the Playoffs but failed to reach the TOUR Championship, eventually finishing 33rd in points. In retrospect, he blamed it on a focus shift. Instead of trying to win tournaments, he was simply trying to make cuts and gain points.

“I really felt like at the end of the season through the summer, I definitely limited myself to what I was trying to achieve,” Steele explained. “I just wanted to make the TOUR Championship so bad, I was just trying to scratch and claw for every point I could … I wasn’t trying to win. I wasn’t trying to play my best. I was just trying to get whatever points I could – and I played right to that level where you could just barely miss.

“I’m definitely going to try to not do that this year and just really move forward and try to win as many tournaments as I can and get myself into contention in majors and do all the things that everybody wants to do out here.”

As for his dining plans for the Friday night of the 2018 Safeway Open? Well, The French Laundry is notoriously difficult to get a reservation, but Steele figures Keller might be able to set aside a table for the now two-time defending champ.

“I hope so,” Steele said. “I hope I didn’t do anything to get myself kicked out.”