Temperatures have soared well over 100 degrees and all of the movie stars, diplomats, moguls and other seasonal residents and visitors have flown away. Traditionally the desert in summertime becomes, well, a desert—hot and empty. But the amazing thing is, summertime can be the best time of year to live in or visit the Palm Springs desert resort region.

First of all, the desert becomes itself in summertime. The region reverts to its original secret, seductive, secluded kind of place where heat settles and everything slows way down. The fans turn more slowly, the breezes flow more slowly and always carry the miraculous refreshment of a nearby mister. Everyone moves more slowly and a sort of general laziness sets in, as if a spell has been cast over the land and its inhabitants.

It seems to happen suddenly. Those of us who have lived here for a few years know it’s coming; we feel the heat rise, we notice birds flying north in their vast v-shaped formations like the arrow of time itself and if we have children, we gear up for the end of the school year and a blaze of summer activities.

Yet for me, summer always arrives at a specific moment on a particular day. Abruptly, it seems, the whole valley is quieter, stiller and you can hear yourself breathe and think. That summer stillness is good for contemplation and for intimate conversations, for slowly savoring a cold drink or a light meal. It’s also a fantastic time to savor the great bargains that proliferate throughout the valley.

When summer arrived this year, I was sitting on the patio at Stuft Pizza Bar & Grille in Old Town La Quinta on an afternoon in early June. I had found a shady spot under some trees whose little blossoms drifted gently over me like snow. A few brave, diurnal birds hopped among the bricks and brush, poking for crumbs. I was working on an assignment but frequently sat back to enjoy the hush. Relax, I told myself, don’t rush, don’t fight the heat, let your blood and thoughts run slow and easy. I sipped from a glass of Stuft’s signature Honey Blonde Ale, light and frothy. When a friend joined me, we shared a favorite custom martini and the most delicious glass of deep-red, fruit-filled sangria. Stuft runs a terrific happy hour every day from 3 to 6 p.m. with substantial discounts on well drinks, house wines, draft beers, appetizers and small plates. And the pizzas and salads remain ever popular.

In the old days, desert restaurants and businesses closed during the summer months. A few, like Wally’s Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage and Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells, still do. But most establishments stay open, and many of them lure—or reward—the courageous year-round residents and summer visitors by providing ‘off-season’ specials on food and drink.

Piero’s Acqua Pazza, at the River in Rancho Mirage, offers indoor-outdoor seating. The patio overlooks a glowing stretch of water and twinkles with white cafe lights at night as the moon hangs over the nearby San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. Piero’s has a great happy hour and mouthwatering lunch, dinner and appetizers year-round, but the summer specials really sizzle. Starting in June, all day and all night Sunday through Thursday, patrons are tempted with a three-course summer feast for $19.95, which includes appetizer, entrée and desert. The summer early bird menu (3 to 6 p.m. daily) features two courses from $15.95. Hours vary slightly, but the vibe is always chill and so are the drinks.

Arnold Palmer’s, near the cove and Old Town La Quinta, is a happening place all year, too, but also offers tantalizing off-season happy hours Monday through Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. There are discounted menu items and cocktails, as well as house wines, which cost a mere $7. Every Thursday during summer there are half-off specials on bottles from the restaurant’s wine cellar. Nightly entertainment (Tuesday through Saturday) by the smooth, gorgeous Kevin Henry, along with a world-class aura created by the stunning general manager and hostess, Dodi Henry (who happens to be Kevin’s wife), make for an unforgettable evening.

Then there’s the venerable Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe at the Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. Bartenders here concoct one of the best mai tais in the valley (a great summer libation) and horde a top-shelf rum “locker” that looks and drinks like it came straight off a Caribbean pirate ship. Tommy’s tends to expand its happy hour during the summer, and its “Lite Summer Nites” menu, available June through September, features lighter fare and prices.

Many of the valley’s hotels have restaurants well worth visiting, too, and you might even want to stay over for a treat. At the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, for example, you can take part in a daily tradition at Glo, the indoor pocket bar. Each afternoon at 5 p.m., bartender Tim Duval creates a new exotic drink for the patrons on hand. If you’re a summer guest at the Renaissance Esmeralda you’ve no doubt gotten a super deal on the room; best of all, you can lounge by a series of pools and waterfalls and even a beach for the kids, sipping cocktails by the chlorinated sea. Once you’ve tasted Duval’s latest exotic drink, you can finish up with excellent sushi or tapas—yummy, light treats for a hot summer day.

Ah, the Parker Hotel/Spa/Resort, in Palm Springs. Is there any place as heavenly, famous, infamous, exotic and enticing? Among the deals this summer is the Glutton’s Delight, which includes a $200 credit toward a meal—preferably at the unfathomably decadent and delicious Mister Parker’s dining room. If you’re more in tune with spa pleasures, there’s also a Spa Junkie’s Delight, with the same credit to be used at PSYC Spa during an overnight stay.

No matter where you live or stay, arguably the very best spot in the Coachella Valley for a sweet cocktail, cool staff, magical setting and most awesome sunset views is the Cliffhouse in La Quinta. This place is an institution that feels like a rustic date palmer’s ranch with firepit, waterfalls, winding stairways and rich, Spanish-Inn ambiance. In summertime, the Cliffhouse happy hour on bar food (fabulous burgers, seafood, pasta) extends from 4:30 to 7 p.m., and runs all night Sunday and Monday. All the staff and bartenders are in the groove, and Tyler Cotton, in particular, is known for enslaving patrons with a luscious passion fruit or espresso martini. The main attraction at the Cliffhouse, however, is the view. If you sit in the dining room or bar late in the afternoon as the shimmering, sulphuric sun melts over the mountaintops to the west, you’ll feel like you’ve come home, and you’ll never want to leave.

Joanna Beresford is a contributing writer to Desert Golf Magazine

The world has long recognized China as a major tourist attraction, but perhaps never more so than this year when the country takes the spotlight as host of the 2008 Olympics. With the dollar still weak against the Euro, China and all of Asia become even more enticing for affordability, in addition to a rich and ancient cultural heritage that offers much to travelers.

China’s capital, Beijing, is probably the most popular visitor destination in the country. Beijing is home to Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palace, Ming Tombs, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Portions of the Great Wall, which stretches more than 4,000 miles, are less than 40 miles from the city. Within Beijing there are many tour operators offering package deals to see city highlights, but self-exploration offers adventure at your own leisure as well.

Tiananmen Square is the heart of Beijing and where government officials reside. The square has its own historical legacy and is the leading entrance to the magnificent Imperial Palace (also known as the Forbidden City), one-time residence of China’s emperors. The Imperial Palace is definitely a must see, although it can be quite repetitious with 980 buildings.

For the most unique experience and a wide array of sensations, the Temple of Heaven is a key destination. At sunrise, people from the local community come for Tai Chi, sword fighting and ribbon dancing, and the playing of the erhu, ancient variation of a violin, seems to awaken the Temple gardens. For many visitors this is among the most exiting and rewarding encounter with the Chinese culture.

The Summer Palace, on the outskirts of Beijing, is an enchanted place of lush gardens and serene lakes with boats from which visitors can take in the astonishing beauty of the setting. Nearby are the Ming Tombs, burial site for thirteen dynasty emperors with its celebrated stone animal walkway.

China’s greatest ancient achievement is arguably the Great Wall, which more than one million people visit every day. The most visited section is Badaling, resembling a dragon’s back rising and falling over the cascading mountains. There is almost no limit to the ways you can experience the wall; visitors walk, run, hike, climb and even sleep on the ancient stones with special tour companies.

While Beijing has more than enough to fill a vacation, it is merely the gateway to what China has to offer. The country’s most beautiful landscapes are within Guilin and Hangzhou cities. Guilin, with its “out of this world” scenery, is set on the Li River among lakes and mountains that have been featured in films such as Star Wars. Hangzhou, capital of the Zhejiang province, is known for West Lake, once described by Marco Polo as “Heaven on Earth.”

You can delve deeper into the history of China with a visit to Xian, the original capital for thirteen dynasties and now a legacy to the Terra-Cotta soldiers discovered there in 1974. Or you might choose to experience the modern, high-rise society of Shanghai, which offers a pleasant balance between Beijing and Hong Kong.

Captivating with its charm and spicy food, Chengdu, in the Sichuan Basin, garnered world attention not long ago when an earthquake caused catastrophic destruction in the area. Chengdu itself, however, was relatively unscathed. One of the city’s most popular attractions is the world-renowned Panda Breeding and Research Center, where visitors can explore 92 acres that are home to giant and red pandas. For a unique privilege, you can make a “donation” of $60 to pet a panda or $145 to hold one. Just outside of Chengdu, the city of Leshan is worth exploring, not least for the opportunity to be dwarfed by the world’s largest Buddha, carved into a mountainside and standing 233 feet tall.

Some aspects of travel to this region remain limited, so it’s important to check with local tourist authorities for the most current information.

One of the most picturesque—and most controversial—locations in China is the Tibetan region, enshrined in the ethereal beauty of the cloud-piercing Himalaya Mountains. Among its treasures is one of the highest cities in the world, the Potala Palace, former residence of the Dalai Lama. To visit it is a rare travel venture not easily matched, even by the top destinations of the world. Unfortunately, as of Spring 2008, Tibet has been temporarily closed off due to violent protests. Once it reopens, remember that visiting Tibet requires special and specific visas.

Like Europe, China’s primary mode of transportation is train. Depending on your departure and arrival destinations, sleeper train tickets typically range from $15 to $40, while tickets for seats only range from about $5 to $20. Some visitors hesitate to use the rail system, but trains are the cheapest and most widely available way to get around. By contrast, air travel can cost $200 or more per ticket, and serves only the major cities.

Although China is one of the most ancient civilizations on earth, it is in many ways still in the developing stages as a contemporary tourist destination Pollution and hygiene are very much a concern that visitors should be aware of and prepared for. Cultural differences, too, present challenges for western visitors, so advanced preparation is important.

That said, China is a compelling destination offering an experience that is exotic and rich with history and culture. Today’s visitors also stand on an historical threshold, able to see the antiquities and awe inspiring natural features that have long drawn travelers here, but also to experience the dramatic reawakening of a modern China.

By Brittany Pade-Brown and Russell Brown

Beat the heat this summer at any of the Coachella Valley’s five tribal-owned casinos, each one offering a different environment and experience. From live entertainment and fabulous dining to luxury spa treatments and, of course, gaming, there’s something for everyone. The 24/7 fun doesn’t stop just because it’s 100 degrees outside—in fact, it only just begins. One note: You must be 21 years of age or older to book a room or gamble in these cool, lively settings.

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa is located in Rancho Mirage, seven miles from the Palm Springs International Airport off Interstate 10 at Ramon Road. Owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Agua Caliente completed a $300 million, 16-story, 340-room resort hotel just in time for summer sun worshipers. Located adjacent to the popular casino, the resort offers a gorgeous spa, pool and cabana complex, and a complete fitness center. You don’t have to be a resort guest to experience the spa; it’s open to the public for a day of pampering before hitting the slots.

Wonderful aromas wafting from Agua Caliente’s seven restaurants entice hotel guests and casino patrons to enjoy a good meal. Restaurant choices range from fine dining at The Steakhouse to more casual fare at the Grand Palms Buffet. If you are looking for nightlife, the sounds of live music from the original rockin’ house band, Mischief vibrate the dance floor Thursday through Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m. On Sundays, longtime Coachella Valley favorite Mike Costley, featuring the Pat Rizzo band, swings into action at 7 pm.

In the midst of all this excitement, there is always time for gaming. Agua Caliente’s casino is 45,000 square feet and has both smoking and non-smoking areas. There are 1,800 slot machines, 42 table games, the Poker Room with 11 tables and the Primrose Room for high-limit gaming.

Summer stay-and-play packages, slot tournaments and a myriad of other specials have made Agua Caliente a favorite among locals choosing to spend summer close to home. Valet or self-parking is available in the covered parking structure.
For more information call 888.999.1995 or visit HotWaterCasino.com.

Augustine Casino, owned by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, is considered the baby of the bunch in terms of age and number of slot machines. Located in the primarily agriculture area of Coachella, Augustine found its niche as the locals’ hangout, due to its smaller, friendlier environment. With PGA West only minutes away, Augustine is also touted as the perfect place for golfers to unwind after a day on the course.

Live entertainment is available throughout the summer in Augustine’s 31,200-square-foot establishment, and there are daily promotions as well. Guests can choose from 751 slot machines, 10 table games including Blackjack, Single 21, Spanish 21, three-card poker, and four-card poker.

Augustine also has two restaurants. Cafe 54 is open 24 hours a day for players to enjoy good food, great prices and the masterful culinary creations of Chef Jaime Angarita. For a bar and grill type setting, Menyikish Bar & Grill is the place to go and is open seven days a week. Valet or self-parking is available in an uncovered parking area.
For more information call 760.391.9500 or visit augustinecasino.com.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has a true abundance of choices. Located on the reservation of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians near Indio, Fantasy Springs Casino began operations as a card room in 1980. Today, it offers guests the luxurious 250-room Palm Springs hotel, a 3,700-seat events center, bowling lanes and an onsite championship golf course. Recently opened and available only to registered guests is the Nautilus Fitness Center featuring Nautilus One Selectech equipment.

Fantasy Springs is the only valley casino with the new PokerPro automated poker room, and it holds the distinguished honor of hosting the “Playboy Golf Scramble” at its new Eagle Falls Golf Course.

For gamers there are 2,000 slots in the casino, and the nearby special-events center offers entertainment by A-list performers. The open-air Rockyard, with live rock bands, turns the night outside into vibrant nightlife. If the heat bothers you, then it’s up twelve stories to the top floor of the Resort and Velvet Palm nightclub where you can party and dance to the hottest DJ’s in town.

Hungry? Dine in one of the five restaurants. Indulge in Fresh Grill Buffet’s excellent Sunday Brunch or daily fresh selections. For an elegant evening, The Bistro is a favorite of locals and visitors—but call ahead for reservations at this popular eatery.

Summer specials are offered on rooms, golf, dining and more, and they change regularly, so ask about them when you call. Valet or self-parking is available in the new covered parking structure or outside.

For more information call 760.342.5000 or visit fantasyspringsresort.com.

Spa Resort Casino, located in Palm Springs, is owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and is the sister casino to Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. In addition to 1,000 slots, table games, a high-limit room and an eight-table poker room, this casino has something that makes it stand out from the others: the famed mineral waters located in the world-class Spa and Well Spirit Fitness Center at the adjacent resort. The spa’s signature service is the “Taking of the Waters,” a journey par excellence that leaves mind and body refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. Or, simply enjoy the massage of your choosing. It’s all just steps from your resort room.

Also steps from your room is downtown Palm Springs. Guests can walk to a variety of activities including shopping, restaurants and more. If gaming makes you want to stay on property, the casino has five restaurants: Noodle Bar, Corner Deli, Oasis Buffet, Agua Bar & Grill, and the Steakhouse.

The 228-room resort offers several summer packages, including Fun by the Gallon. For a mere $95 plus tax you get a one-night stay in a deluxe room, $25 Shell gas card, free parking and a complimentary newspaper. Valet or self-parking is available in an uncovered area.
For more information call 888.999.1955 or visit SpaResortCasino.com.

Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella is owned by the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians and is really the top dog when it comes to size with its 110,000-square-foot casino that has it all, including 2,000 slots (there’s a non-smoking area), 30 table games, an 11-table poker room and more. The Spotlight Showroom seats 2,200 and features top-rate entertainment all summer long, and slot-machine promotions run daily. A hotel is in the planning stage, along with an expansion that will make Spotlight even bigger and better.

Spotlight’s Blue Bar is one of the valley’s hottest nightspot with live entertainment and DJs. It’s open Thursday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and a dress code is enforced. For diners, Café Capitata is all new with a unique combination of 24-hour café and five-station buffet. The JEM Steakhouse has put fun back into dining with live jazz on weekends and a full-service bar that opens daily at 4 pm. The JEM Steakhouse serves natural certified Angus beef, fresh seafood and has one of the Valley’s most expansive wine collections. Valet or self-parking is available in an uncovered area.

For more information call 866.878.6729 or visit spotlight29.com.

Françoise Rhodes is a staff writer with Desert Golf Magazine

Help make history while experiencing the magic at ClubCorp’s ultimate charity event taking place at a club near you. For the second consecutive year, ClubCorp, with its renowned collection of affiliate country clubs, golf courses, golf resorts, business and sports clubs around the world, is inviting its employees, members and guests to participate in the world’s largest one-day charity golf and dining event, the ClubCorp Charity Classic: Celebrating a Legacy.

On September 26, more than 140 of the company’s affiliate clubs in the United States will welcome an estimated 25,000 members, guests and patrons. While the golf courses and clubs will host world-class tournaments, ClubCorp business clubs will open their dining rooms for unique culinary experiences and auctions. Patrons of the culinary events will enjoy special menus created specifically for the event.

Recognized as a world leader in private clubs, Dallas-based ClubCorp was founded in 1957 and has built an impressive record of experience and success. In addition to an obvious passion for and commitment to golf, ClubCorp also embraces a spirit of service that is at the core of the company’s 50-year heritage.

Among the nationally recognized golf properties participating in the Classic event this year are Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (home of the Kraft Nabisco Championship), Coto De Caza Golf and Racquet Club in Coto De Caza, Calif., Bear’s Best in Las Vegas, Nev. and Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The goal is to surpass last year’s total of $1.6 million, explains Eric Affeldt, ClubCorp’s president and CEO. “We are excited to build on the momentum of last year’s historical event. With an aggressive goal to raise more than $5 million this year, we hope to fully engage and inspire our 200,000 members, 16,000 employees, our many sponsors and the public community, which is invited to participate in these wonderful events. ClubCorp is excited to carry on our 50-year tradition of building relationships and enriching lives through service.”

At the end of this whirlwind day of tournaments, dining events and social extravaganzas, all proceeds raised will be divided and donated to charity. This year’s recipients include the Muscular Dystrophy Association (specifically Augie’s Quest), the Employee Partners Care Foundation and a charity of choice selected by each club.

“The ClubCorp Charity Classic and the ClubCorp team are making the most significant difference in our quest for a cure for ALS,” says Augie Nieto, Muscular Dystrophy Association’s national vice president and chief inspiration officer. “The technology and science are converging to make a cure possible, and ClubCorp will play a major role in making a cure a reality.”

ClubCorp’s Employee Partners Care Foundation was established to help employees and their families in need of financial assistance during times of crisis. Future plans include incorporating a scholarship component to the fund to provide scholarships for employee partners or their children and grandchildren.

The individual club charity selection is simple; each club designates a local or national charity of its choosing as a recipient, bringing the total number of charities benefiting from the event to more than 100.

Giving each club a chance to put its own unique spin on a nationwide event is true to form in the ClubCorp family. Although every club is part of the larger entity, each has its own personality, the result of ClubCorp’s close working relationship with each club’s board of governors, committees and individual members.

Each club also shares in a company-wide ethic. “The Charity Classic is a tremendous opportunity for our wonderful club members and their families, along with guests and patrons in the local communities, to experience the genuine sense of care, camaraderie and fun that is the lifeblood of all our clubs,” says Rich Lakers, Director of Communications at ClubCorp.

Along with the Charity Classic, ClubCorp has created a number of exceptional programs, policies and events that keep it in the forefront as an industry leader in delivering premier golf, private club and resort experiences.

The Charity Classic is open to the public. Events and prices vary at each venue. For more information about the Sept. 26 event, call 760.883.5366 or visit the tournament website at clubcorpcharityclassic.com. For more information about a ClubCorp membership, visit clubcorp.com.

Françoise Rhodes is a staff writer with Desert Golf Magazine

Las Vegas will probably never lose its Sin City moniker, but there are many facets to this desert town. Fabulous golf destination is one of them. Host of mega charity events is another. And one of the most popular stops on the PGA Tour Fall Classic series is yet another.

This October, the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open will bring all three of those facets together—and you’re invited.

The tournament, which will be played at the TPC at Summerlin, is the PGA Tour’s 26th annual Las Vegas event, yet there’s much that’s new this year—including the participation of Justin Timberlake.

In case you’ve been a recluse on another planet for the past decade, or perhaps if you’re merely over 50, Timberlake is the six-time Grammy winner who became a mega celebrity as a member of mega band NSYNC, which Rolling Stone magazine once called “the biggest band in the world.”

Here’s the thing: Not only can Timberlake sing, dance and make girls swoon, he can play golf. He can play golf well. And he’s serious about it.

Gary Davis, executive chairman of the tournament, says, “Justin is a real good golfer. He enjoys the sport and he takes it very seriously; but he also has a lot of fun.”

And fun, notes Davis, is one thing that sets the Fall Classic series, and this event in particular, apart from PGA Tour events leading up to the FedEx Cup.

“Las Vegas is one of the great resort cities in the world and it’s fun to come here,” Davis says. “As one of the seven tournaments after the FedEx series ends, this is a tournament where we want the PGA professionals to have fun.”

The tournament format is changing this year. Organizers are bringing back more of the celebrity element that the tourney used to have, and they are gearing it more toward professionals and the Fall Classic series.

To that end, professionals will have an extra day of play on their own, without amateur participants. Pro-Am events will take place on Monday and Wednesday, the pros will play Thursday and Friday and the cut will be on Friday night, leaving the top guys to battle it out over the weekend.

If you’re ready to join a foursome with a PGA professional, the tournament’s defending champion, George McNeill, has some advice for you.

“Leading up to the event practice your short game, “ he says. “Even though the primary goal for these events is to have fun and raise money for charity, if you want to contribute to the team, focus on your short game. The long game is the glamorous part, but if you really want to score and help your team, practice your short game.”

McNeill also wants amateur participants to know that professionals are just normal people who were once amateurs, too. They know what it’s like to go through the learning process so you don’t need to be nervous about your game.

The tournament will take place on just one golf course this year, rather than multiple courses as in previous years. Not only is that of importance to players, it’s of importance to spectators, too, because changes have been made to the TPC course that make it extraordinarily spectator-friendly. The area known as The Hill, overlooking the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, was created specifically to give spectators an amazing view of the finishing holes, Las Vegas skyline and Red Rock Canyon. In true Vegas style, it’s a luxury “entertainment pavilion” with seating, bars and large plasma screen TVs.

There’s more than tournament play to entice spectators. This year, numerous top Las Vegas chefs and restaurants are participating in Restaurant Row on the Hill, where players and fans can get fabulous food at reasonable prices. And renowned instructor Butch Harmon will run a clinic Saturday afternoon. He’ll have professionals there with him and word is that Timberlake will participate as well.

Additionally, organizers are bringing back one of last year’s most popular moments of the event, Military Appreciation, which will also take place Saturday afternoon. Like last year, men and women from nearby Nellis Air Force Base will be part of that celebration.

That takes care of the golf aspect. And the fun aspect. But at the core of this event are children in need of orthopedic and burn care, and their families who cannot always afford to get that help.

Davis has great admiration for Shriners hospitals—20 of them across the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada.

“Almost 95 cents of every dollar raised is going to bottom-line patient care,” he says, and that’s a huge distinction from many charitable organizations where a hefty percentage of monies raised actually goes to administrative costs. “And these hospitals treat children at no cost to parents.”

The difference comes down to the fact that this event is all about volunteerism. Davis, who expects to work from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the event to make sure all goes right, is a volunteer. He’s not alone.

“Everything I do as Chair of the Executive Committee, and all of the Shriner officers and the Shriners of the national organization—it’s all volunteer work,” he says.

Justin Timberlake is doing his part, too. He’s putting on a private concert on Friday evening for the golf professionals and amateur participants and their families and guests. If you’re one of the five people on the planet who missed Justin when he performed (with NSYNC) in concerts, at the Academy Awards, World Series, Super Bowl or the Olympics, this is your chance.

The good news is that Timberlake and the Shriners have committed to five years with the event, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to join in the fun and support a critically important cause for families across North America.

Christine Loomis is a staff editor and writer with Desert Golf Magazine

Tournament at a Glance
What: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
When: Oct. 16-19, 2008
Where: TPC at Summerlin, Las Vegas
Purse: $4.1 million, with the winner taking $738,000
Tickets to The Hill: $25 per day, $125 for the week
Play with the Pros Pro-Am: Monday, Oct. 13. Cost: $4,000 per amateur, which Includes 18 holes with a PGA professional, pairings party, participant badge valid for the week allowing access to the spectator area and clubhouse, gift package, week-long VIP parking and lots more.
Celebrity Pro-AM: Wednesday, Oct. 15, featuring Justin Timberlake and other Celebrities. There are two levels of cost:
One pro with three amateurs: $8,000 per amateur
One pro, one celebrity, two amateurs: $10,000 per amateur (those purchasing a $10,000 spot will have a chance to win a place on a foursome with Justin Timberlake and the professional of his choice).
Sign up: Pro-Am packages, corporate hospitality and tickets are on sale now and available for purchase by calling the tournament office at 702.873.1010 or by emailing Jan Leone at jleone@jtshrinersopen.com