Refresh your marriage with a golf trip to Lake Tahoe

Alpine skiing. Alpine lake. Alpine forest. Alpine lodging. How about Alpine golf?

Most guys realize how difficult it is for a weekend getaway to please both you and your mate. We want to golf; spouses like to shop. All of us want to eat well; we want to experience new places, be entertained and witness things special. And spouses like to be treated special, be pampered and foremost, bring home everlasting memories.

Sometimes these are mutually exclusive. But not now.

No matter how you say it — ceil, ceilo, hebo, himlen, isten, niebo, nebe or himmel or ceu — visiting Lake Tahoe is like visiting heaven.

It’s top of the world next to the highest alpine lake in the country, infinite pine trees and some of the finest golf in the world.

Here’s how to keep you both happy.

DAY 1: LAKE TAHOE, THURSDAY, JULY 18

Here’s the exercise: The 2013 American Century Celebrity Golf Championship is set to take place July 16-21 at Lake Tahoe. Most of you know this tournament as the most prestigious, popular and richest celebrity golf gathering in the states. It has a purse of $600,000, and this year, it has attracted 89 celebrity participants. It’s being played on the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

The tournament will entertain both of you. If you are a basketball fan, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley plan to be there. If you’re a football fan, Jerry Rice and John Elway are scheduled to swing away, or you can check out Urban Meyer’s swing and say hi. Hockey fans will be delighted to see Mike Eruzione try to tame Edgewood. Politics your game? Dan Quayle will lighten things up. Entertainment your gig? The wife will enjoy Ray Romano and Jack Wagner as they duke it out.

Everlasting memories are sure to happen.

Plan to attend on July 18, as this day is a pre-tournament practice round, and autographs and pictures are allowed. You and the wife will be able to hobnob with these stars.

DAY 2: TRUCKEE, CALIF., FRIDAY, JULY 19

Drive up and around the lake to continue into Truckee to try and tame Coyote Moon Golf Course. This mountain golf adventure will test your skill and patience with elevated tees, elevated greens and the mile-high elevation of the course. You won’t believe hole No. 13, a steeply elevated tee that plays one to three clubs less than its 187 yards. Let it fly.

Significant nongolfers will find exploring historic downtown Truckee and visiting the shops and watering holes that line Main Street a unique experience.

Visit the old jail, sample wine at The Pour House, and revel in the Old West atmosphere. That evening, hunker down in The Village at Squaw Valley and enjoy the legendary ambiance of the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

DAY 3: LAKE TAHOE, SATURDAY, JULY 20

Head back to Lake Tahoe and a day for all to enjoy the majesty of the lake. No golf today. World-class mountain biking (yeah, right), water sports and beautiful scenery are just some ideas. Take the gondola at Heavenly Resort, check out the Donner Memorial State Park, visit Incline Village and for a glimpse of the rich and famous in the late 1800s, the Tallac Museum will interest you.

Now, let’s get that pampering thing out of the way. Reflections the Spa at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe offers the perfect solution. Detoxify your body and de-stress your mind with a stimulating couples massage.

Believe me, it’s well worth it, and I bet you’ll enjoy it, as well. End your day at Friday’s Station Steak and Seafood Grill atop Harrah’s Lake Tahoe; the views are terrific. After, challenge the tables and win back that dinner bill.

DAY 4: LAKE TAHOE, SUNDAY, JULY 21

Championship day at the American Century Golf Championship. Be there for the exciting finish. Celebrate with an affordable dinner at the Forest Buffet, also atop Harrah’s.

DAY 5: LAKE TAHOE, MONDAY, JULY 22

Before departing, if you wake up early enough, squeeze in a round of golf at Edgewood. You’ll be back in Las Vegas by dinnertime. And you can scratch off another bucket list item.

Mission accomplished — not bad, eh? Both you and the wife are happy.

One more suggestion: Go with another couple just to ensure your wife’s happiness.

You can thank me when you see me — at Edgewood.

John Asay is a longtime golfer and local freelance writer. Contact him at jasay@reviewjournal.com.