The Reno-Tahoe Open, together with Doctors Louis Bonaldi, Jason Champagne, Daniel Rowan and Renny Uppal, introduce Doctors Supporting Troops to benefit current and former members of the military currently or previously living or serving in Northern Nevada.

The new program for the 13th annual PGA Tour event encourages active duty, guard, reserve and veterans of all military branches to write an essay explaining why he or she would like a chance to play in the tournament’s Wednesday Pro-Am. Nominations will be accepted through June 17, 2011 and winners are announced the week of June 27.

In addition to an opportunity to play, winners of the Doctors Supporting Troops contest may also attend the exclusive Pro-Am Pairings Party on Aug. 2 at the Eldorado Hotel Resort.

All essays must be 500 words or less and be submitted to Docs4Troops@MyNews4.com by 5pm June 17. Submissions may be entered by friends or family as well as the actual nominee. A copy of military identification should be included in the application and all nominees must have a handicap of 20 or better with verification from the golfer’s home course. To learn more or view the complete set of rules, go online.

The 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open is Aug. 1-7 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club in Reno.