November 27th 2024.
A Time for Thanks... For Family, Friends, and FootGolf
By Justin Gardner, PhD.
How is it already Thanksgiving 2024!?! It feels like it was just last week, we welcomed the AFGL 2024 Las Vegas Open and Battle of the Border to Chimera Golf Club for what was an incredible start to the 2024 season. We saw the United States win the 3rd Battle of the Border and then watched some great FootGolf over the weekend that culminated in a celebration of diverse podiums:
Men
Fernando Mentasti (Mexico) -17
Aksu Goksel (Turkey) -16
Jorge Uriona (USA) -15
Senior Men
Carlos Rodriguez (Mexico) -20
Robert Cohmanschi (USA) -18
Jeremy Johnson (USA) -12
Alejandro Naranjo (Mexico) -12
Senior Men+
Daniel Romero (USA) -2
David Andler (USA) -1
Kostas Krokos (USA) +9
Women
Jo Reid (USA) -9
Leilani Tedeski (USA) -7
Laura Parker (USA) -4
Senior Women
Britta Schaa (USA) +48
In total we had 107 FIFG World Tour players from 7 countries tee it up at the Las Vegas Open in 2024, we welcomed more than 20 local nonprofits and vendors, had a dozen more sponsors, and saw close to 1,000 people check out the action across 3-days of FootGolf competition – and we’re just getting started!
It’s a new year, it’s a new team event, it’s another weekend of competitive FIFG World Tour event coming to Chimera Golf Club!
We were so inspired by the event in 2024, we started in June 2024 planning an even bigger and better event in 2025 that will kick off with the Pacific FootGolf Trophy practice rounds on Wednesday afternoon (January 29th). Historically this competition has been between Team USA and Team Japan, the 2025 edition will expand the national team line ups to include 6 nations – Canada, Chile, Honduras, and Mexico will battle with perennial competitors Team USA and Team Japan! The action kicks off Thursday, January 30th with qualifying rounds between Canada, Chile, Honduras, and Mexico while Team USA and Team Japan pay homage to the 1st Pacific Trophy – a celebration of sportsmanship and friendly national competition. Thursday afternoon will feature the semi-finals, and the finals will be played Friday, January 31st.
Saturday, the attention turns to the Las Vegas Open for an event expected to welcome 160 pro tour players from around the nation and world. The action kicks-off Saturday morning (February 1st) with the opening round, which will be followed by an afternoon of amateur and youth FootGolf on our 9-hole Challenge Course. Also on Saturday, we’ll welcome back our nonprofit and community partners for a Community Fair at the Chimera Pavilion and along the fan zones of the course (Golf holes 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 18). There will be a player meet and greet at the Chimera Pavilion between 5-6pm on Saturday before we close out the Saturday action with Las Vegas staple, The Spazmatics.
That’s right, we’ll have the Spazmatics Live for a 2nd consecutive year, playing the very best of 1980s music with their awesome quirkiness and amazing musical performance!
Sunday, the focus is back on the Las Vegas Open for the final round of competition, which will once again be followed by an afternoon of amateur and youth FootGolf on our 9-hole Challenge Course. The action will conclude on the iconic 18th green, bordered by water all along the left-edge of the hole with more water behind and a series of green guarding bunkers to the front and right. Fan zones will surround this epic closing hole with what we hope will be an exciting and entertaining championship conclusion. An awards ceremony will follow immediately in the Chimera Pavilion with presentation of medals (9-hole Challenge as well) and the custom perpetual Las Vegas Open Trophy that is debuting in 2025. The trophy is a custom-designed, Vegas-themed, one-of-a-kind masterpiece made by Bennett Awards and will remain on-display at Chimera Golf Club throughout the year with winners from 2024 added along with the 2025 winners.
Once again, our goal is to bring the community to Chimera Golf Club with fan zone experiences and spectator galleries along several holes of the Championship Course! Over the next two months leading to the event, we’ll have more details about the events, activities, and tournament experience, but... here’s a quick overview of the 2025 Las Vegas Open Experience!
Fan Zone Experiences
FootGolf International and AFGL Player Meet and Greet:
Players for each of the Pacific Trophy countries as well as selected AFGL players will be available for a meet and greet from on Saturday before the Spazmatics perform.
FootGolf Amateur and Youth 9-hole Challenge:
Saturday Tee Times available now on EventBrite:
Sunday Tee Times available now on EventBrite:
Fan Spectator Galleries:
Tournament viewing areas with Chimera and Slice 19 food and beverage carts and tables to create a true tournament atmosphere!
Community Nonprofit and Vendor Fair
We’re actively engaging with local community organizations, sponsors, and vendors to host a community fair on Saturday from 8am-6pm.
On Sunday, select organizations, sponsors, and vendors will be back at Chimera for Family FootGolf Day, which will feature some additional surprises and activities.
We’re also discussing a Community Team Competition in which various nonprofit partners, sponsors, vendors, and community organizations create Community Teams to compete for a cash donation to either their nonprofit organization or the nonprofit organization of their choosing.
The Spazmatics Live!
Concert Tickets, Raffle Tickets, and Branded Merchandise available now on EventBrite:
FootGolf Registration Table
AFGF Nevada State Chapter League and Clinic Registration
AFGL Pro Tour, Amateur Tour, and Youth Tour Registration
The Las Vegas Open Auction
The bidding will begin on Black Friday and run through February 3rd, check out what’s already available:
Many items will be on display or have display versions available at the Pavilion or Slice 19 during the weekend, some example items include:
Iconic signed sports memorabilia:
Signed Master’s Flag and picture: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player
Signed NFL Hall of Fame Legends Helmet
1980 Miracle on Ice Signed Photo
Michael Jordan – “The Jump” signed Photo
More in store…
Iconic signed movie and music memorabilia:
Signed U2 Guitar
Signed Taylor Swift Guitar
The Rolling Stones “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out” signed album
The Beatles Limited Edition Abbey Road signed album
More in store…
Epic vacation packages:
Victoria Falls Photo Safari (Zimbabwe and Botswana)
Argentina for 2
New Zealand Golf Vacation
Dream Vacation Getaway
Beachfront in Belize
Big Game Hunting Endeavors:
Argentina for 2 & Argentina for 4
New Zealand for 4
South Africa for 4
Team Building and Life-Skills Coaching Sessions:
Small Business Startup Advisory Services
Tax Plan Creation
Perfect for You Affirmation e-course
Corporate or Athletic Digital Wellness Workshop
Digital Wellness Detox Seminar
Uncovering Values Coaching Session
Family Planning Estate Session
And the list is still growing...
Raffles, Sweepstakes, and Giveaways
Live 50/50 raffle to raise funds to support Team USA FootGolf! Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the weekend in the Pavilion at the AFGL Table
50% of proceeds to the raffle winner
50% of proceeds to support Team USA FootGolf
Online Raffle and Sweepstakes Tickets:
Iconic movie, music, or sports framed photos
5-day/4-night Cancun Vacation package from Cancun Cards ($795 value)
4-some of golf at Chimera
$50 Slice 19 Gift Card
4-ticket weekend passes to NASCAR March 2025
4-tickets to a 2025 Las Vegas Aviators home game
2-tickets to a Henderson Silver Knights home game
4-tickets to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California
Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts
FootGolf SWAG bags
Vendor and Sponsor merchandise
More in store…
So as we once again gather and gobble this Thanksgiving week, let us take a moment to be thankful for the family who supports us, the friends who are always ready to join or laugh at us, and… for FootGolf – “The best game ever invented!”
Stay tuned, get ready, and see you on the course!
Dr. Justin Gardner, PhD
AFGF Nevada State Director
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