Columnist Dean Juipe: Reno bidding for 1999 spot on PGA Tour

RENO IS A city that never seems to know what to do with itself.

Like an inquisitive kid, it will try anything once.

But like a pampered adult, it frequently lacks commitment.

It's the un-Las Vegas, with no central marketing scheme yet with a willingness to immerse its foot in all types of uncertain waters. It's an old gambling town that takes a few gambles while preferring to play it close to the vest.

Curiously, it can't seem to do anything about its downtrodden downtown, which sullies the city's image with dilapidated buildings and a homeless problem of immense proportions. It's as if everything is decaying in sync, from the ancient gaming machines to the crumbling structures to the aging and unwashed that cling to the streets.

The Mapes Hotel in the central business district along the Truckee River stands -- or tilts -- as emblematic of Reno's meandering ways. The old lady either needs to be razed or spruced up, yet after decades of indecision she merely wastes away.

But for every time the city -- and the Reno/Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority -- seems reluctant to tackle its larger issues, it can be quick to pounce on passing fancies.

Like the PGA Tour.

Presented with an opportunity to bid for a spot on the 1999 tour, Reno approached the plate swinging. Bing, bing, bing, the particulars fell into place and Friday the city submitted what it believes will be the winning entry in a sweepstakes that also includes Seattle, Portland and St. Louis.

The PGA Tour board of directors will make its decision Sept. 1 in Milwaukee and Reno likes its chances.

"We believe it's ours to have," said Reno mayor Jeff Griffin, "and we want it."

Likewise, RSCVA president Phil Keene was optimistically urgent, saying "PGA events don't come open very often, so we'd better do this now."

Placing its bleeding inner city aside, Reno scrounged for funds to cover the $4.5 million annual commitment it will take to host a tour event. The RSCVA will contribute $500,000 on a yearly basis and corporate sponsorship will cover the rest.

If it's okayed, the Reno Open will offer a $2 million purse its first year and escalate its pay out to $3 million by its fourth year. The tournament will be played at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Montreux layout, have late-August dates and apparently will replace the CVS Charity Classic that was held in late July this year in Sutton, Mass.

While Reno and the PGA Tour have been strangers, the city hosted three Senior Tour events (1983-85) that carried the Gatlin Brothers as title sponsors but failed to attract consistent support.

But what in Reno does?

And that's the risk.

Reno, the self-proclaimed Biggest Little City, is big on immediate-gratification sporting events like chasing the land-speed record or eyeing a hot-air balloon race. It appreciates Nevada-Reno football but has seemingly cooled on its National Bowling Center and rejected legitimate professional baseball.

It's a city with only token acceptance of glitz and glamour, yet the PGA Tour is both.

Reno, in the role of schizophrenic suitor, may need to dress itself up for this one.

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