2017 Tournament of Champions Winners Conquer Bear’s Best, Field

It’s official. The first event of the 2017 Southern Nevada Golf Association tournament schedule is in the books and a who’s who of golfers in the Las Vegas area conquered several challenges to earn victories in the prestigious Tournament of Champions played at Bear’s Best Las Vegas.

For the first time, all club champions from SNGA member clubs in addition to SNGA tournament winners in 2016 were invited to play in the tournament. The event was also followed up by the official 2016 SNGA Awards Dinner when each of the 2016 players of the year and several other awards were handed out. It was truly a special day and evening at the Jack Nicklaus course that is operated by Club Corp of America.

Edward Fryatt, the 2016 SNGA Player of the Year, continued his strong play by winning the Championship division with a solid round of 73 in cold, windy and difficult conditions. He defeated UNLV assistant men’s golf coach Philip Rowe by two shots.

Championship
Edward Fryatt, Las Vegas, Nev. – 39-34–73
Philip Rowe, Las Vegas, Nevada – 40-35–75
Kenny Ebalo, Las Vegas, Nev. – 39-38–77
Brady Exber, Las Vegas, Nev. – 38-41–79
Brigham Gibbs, Las Vegas, Nev. – 40-40–80

In the senior division, Las Vegas Golf Hall of Famer Frank Acker played in shorts and earned a scorecard playoff victory over Joe Rada. Both finished with solid rounds of 76.

Senior
Frank Acker, Henderson, Nev. – 36-40–76 * Champ by scorecard playoff
Joe Rada, Las Vegas, Nev. – 36-40–76
David Bondurant, Las Vegas, Nev. – 40-40–80
Gordon Garff, St. George, Utah – 43-38–81
Bryan Link, Las Vegas, Nev. – 46-39–85
Chris Whatley, Henderson, Nev. – 45-40–85

Gerald Skala played a terrific round and finished with a 74 to win the Super Senior division and defeat 2016 Super Senior Player of the Year Frank Abbott by three shots.

Super Senior
Gerald Skala, Henderson, Nev. – 37-37–74
Frank Abbott, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-36–77
Bruce J Chamberlain, Henderson, Nev. – 42-38–80
Al Kueker, Henderson, Nev. – 40-41–81
Ron Garland, Bozeman, Mont. – 43-38–81
Bob Darling – 40-42–82

Sherry Jackson battled and finished with an 84 to win the women’s division, a first for the Tournament of Champions. Gail Chow was second.

Women
Sherry Jackson, Las Vegas, Nev. – 42-42–84
Gail Chow, Las Vegas, Nev. – 47-45–92
Shirleen Hurtado, Henderson, Nev. – 52-48–100
Ann Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. – 50-61–111

On the net side of things, below are the results:

Todd McDevitt won the net division while Joe Rado, who tied with Acker for the senior gross top score, was declared the net victory.

The Super Senior division went to Bob Darling while Ann Zucker won the women’s net division.

Net

Todd McDevitt, Henderson, Nev. – 34-42–76
Michael Teslenko, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-36–77
Kenneth Paul,Jr., Henderson, Nev. – 40-39–79
Tony Herrell, Henderson, Nev. – 38-41–79

Senior

Joe Rada, Las Vegas, Nev. – 34-38–72
Bryan Link, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-35–76
Frank Acker, Henderson, Nev. – 37-42–79

Super Senior

Bob Darling – 34-37–71
Gregory Ladner, Henderson, Nev. – 33-39–72
Gerald Skala, Henderson, Nev. – 36-37–73

Womens

Ann Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. – 35-46–81
Sherry Jackson, Las Vegas, Nev. – 40-41–81