Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 10
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 10
An interesting depression short of the green guards the 10th hole on the North Course at the Silverado Resort & Spa. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Johnny Miller - Safeway Open
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Johnny Miller - Safeway Open
Major champion/NBC Golf Analyst Johnny Miller will be the face of the new Safeway Open as a part owner of the Silverado Resort & Spa in California's Napa Valley. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 1
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 1
The first hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa is a straight-forward start. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 2
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 2
Be sure to hit enough club to reach the elevated green on the par-3 second hole of the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 4
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 4
The fourth hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa might be the prettiest spot on the property. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 7
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 7
Bunkers bracket the par-3 seventh hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 8
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 8
The stream isn't in play on the short, par-4 eighth hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 9
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 9
A raised green makes reaching the par-5 ninth green in two a difficult task on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 11
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 11
The signature 11th hole on the North golf course at Silverado Resort & Spa will become the 17th for the 2023 Fortinet Championship. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 12
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 12
New sand in the bunkers makes the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa pop visually. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 14
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 14
At 393 yards, the 14th hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa will be a birdie hole for the PGA Tour pros at the Safeway Open. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 15
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 15
Misses that flare right will get rinsed on the par-3 15th hole of the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 16
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 16
Spectators at the Safeway Open will be hoping for lots of birdies on the par-5 16th hole on the North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 17
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - hole 17
A trio of bunkers guard the 17th green on the North golf course at Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort - North golf course - no. 18
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Silverado Resort - North golf course - no. 18
The hospitality tent on the finishing par 5 of the North Course at Silverado will be a happening spot during the final round of the Safeway Open this October. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Silverado Resort and Spa
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Silverado Resort and Spa
The mansion lawn of Silverado Resort & Spa hosts concerts during its PGA Tour event. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
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Silverado Resort and Spa set to host the new Safeway Open in California's trendy Napa Valley this fall

NAPA, Calif. -- The wrap-around 2016-17 PGA Tour schedule kicks off with a new vibe in a familiar place.

Silverado Resort and Spa and the face of the tournament -- Johnny Miller, a part owner of the resort -- will host a fall event for the third time, but there's a renewed sense of energy and excitement surrounding the new Safeway Open, which will be held Oct. 12-16 on Silverardo's North Course. Safeway, a chain of grocery stores, has signed on as sponsor for five years, replacing the Frys.com Open.

Jeff Sanders, the executive director of the event, said the Safeway Open will be built on six pillars -- beer, wine, spirits, food, music and golf -- to "festivalize" the tournament, making it as fun as possible for fans. "There is no better place on earth than Napa in October," he said.

Fans who buy $30 daily tickets will have access to the 20,000-square-foot Safeway Food and Wine Pavilion built on the course. It is home to a sports bar, three restaurants and tastings from local wineries. The 11th hole will house a "Brew Loft" and the 17th hole a "Spirits Lounge." The "beer for birdies" campaign -- where drinks get discounted with every birdie made by the pros -- has moved to the 16th green, a par 5 that should relinquish lower scores.

Once the final putt drops, music will start on the front lawn of the mansion with concerts by X Ambassador (Thursday), Charles Kelley (Friday) and Third Eye Blind (Saturday).

Phil Mickelson and Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III have already committed to playing to beef up the field in what is essentially the season-opening event for 2017. Californian Aaron Wise, who led Oregon to the NCAA team title while winning the individual title, will play on a sponsor's exemption.

Silverado -- home to two courses, 13 lighted tennis courts and two signature restaurants -- is experiencing a rebirth under the stewardship of Miller, who lives in the area and grew up in San Francisco before going on to win 25 times on Tour, including two majors. Investment has been made to renovate the North course, the resort's 370 rooms and the 15,500-square-foot conference center. The Spa, a 16,000-square-foot haven of relaxation across the street, has always been popular. Tree and bunker removal and new sand have enhanced the look and feel of the North course.

"We have changed everything here, I don't know if you know that," Miller said. "You name a spot. We've changed it. This place is not the Silverado you guys think (about from the past).

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Silverado Resort and Spa set to host the new Safeway Open in California's trendy Napa Valley this fall