Gibbs, Gonzales, Kerr, Richardson Win LV City Sr. Amateur Major Titles

Brigham Gibbs (Senior) and Dario Gonzales (Silver) won gross titles in the 2018 Las Vegas Senior City Amateur held Oct. 25-26, 2018, at Las Vegas Golf Club. Michael Kerr (Senior) and Tom Richardson (Silver) wound up as the net champions. — By Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff

Senior

Brigham Gibbs birdied three of his final nine holes in the second round to beat powerhouses Brady Exber and Todd Roberts by a stroke.

Roberts held a two-stroke lead after the first round before Gibbs’ rally gave him his first SNGA victory in more than a year.

“It was nice to get those birdies after a couple of three-putts on the front nine,” Gibbs said. “I’ve been doing a lot of extra traveling and haven’t played in a lot of events. It took me awhile to figure out a few swing issues but I’m getting closer.”

He said it’s always nice to play well when you’re in a strong group.

“John Turk, Brady and Todd are really, really good players,” he said. “It feels good to win when you’re facing the caliber of players that were here today.”

He said his overall game was good but added he struggled on the greens.

“I hit the ball really well but I just didn’t make any putts,” he said. “I had a lot of putts inside 10-to-15 feet that never really had a chance.”

Senior

Brigham Gibbs, 71-70—141

Brady Exber, 71-71—142

Todd Roberts, 69-73—142

Senior Net

Michael Kerr rode a hot first round in earning his first SNGA title. Kerr had a first-round 5-under-par 67 and cruised to a two-shot win.

“I’m just in shock,” Kerr said with a laugh. “I think I was 17th last year.”

He said the first day set the tone.

“I really had a hot putter,” he said. “I was draining everything and that gave me a lot of confidence.”

He added his work ethic and an equipment change helped his game.

“I’ve really worked hard on my game the last month,” he said. “And I did an equipment change that really helped. I went to a little weaker shaft in my irons and it really upped my game. This is a big confidence booster and helped my game tremendously.”

Senior Net

Michael Kerr, 67-71—138

Mark Kleiner, 70-70—140

George Yocum, 71-70—141

Silver

Dario Gonzales picked up his second SNGA victory of 2018. It was his first win in the gross division after posting a net division win earlier in the season.

Gonzalez opened the two-day event with a six-birdie, two-bogey round (34-34—68) that gave him a three-shot lead. He carded a two-over-par round in the finale and wound up with a two-stroke victory.

Gonzales saved his best for last as he birdied the par-5 ninth hole (his 18th of the day) to seal the victory.

“I didn’t have any birdies in the (second) round until the last hole,” he said. “And I knew I might need one. I hit a 3-hybrid onto the green in two and made the birdie.”

He said the two rounds were like night and day.

“I was a lot looser the first day,” he said. “I played about as well as I could (Thursday) and I had a few good breaks. That’s what made it happen. (Friday) I played a lot more conservative and just tried to play consistent.”

Silver

Dario Gonzales, 68-74—142

John Garrett, 71-73—144

Mark Dopheide, 76-69—145

Silver Net

Tom Richardson backed up a first-round 64 with a 68 and held off a hard-charging Dave Haddock to win by a stroke. It was Richardson’s first SNGA title in 2018 after posting one victory in 2017.

He said the key to his victory was simple–great putting.

“I changed my putting grip and had 11 one putts the first day,” he said with a laugh. “It was crazy.”

And that putting exhibition started early.

“I was in trouble on the opening holes on Thursday,” he said. “I was in trouble on 10 and 11 (his first two holes of the round) and made a 25-footer for par on 10 and a 30-foot slider for par on 11. From there on out it was magic.”

He said he did have to overcome poor iron play for the victory.

“I was hitting my irons poorly (before the tournament) so I went back to my old irons and hit them poorly,” he said. “I only hit 13 greens in the two days but managed to birdie four of the 13 holes. My tee ball was good and my short game was good and the putting was good. My irons just weren’t good at all.”

Silver Net

Tom Richardson, 64-68—132

Dave Haddock, 70-63—133

John Kelley, 65-72—137