Schiring, Garrett, Cail, Manning Earn Clark County Amateur Major Titles

Gordon Schiring (Senior) and John Garrett (Silver) came away with victories in the gross divisions of the 2018 Clark County Senior Amateur Championship, an SNGA major, played Nov. 14-16, 2018, at Boulder Creek Golf Club. Hugh Manning (Senior) and Jim Cail (Silver) won net division crowns. — By Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.

The tournament was played over the Desert Hawk and Coyote Run nines at the 27-hole Boulder Creek layout.

Senior

Gordon Schiring won with a birdie on the second playoff hole as he and John Turk finished the 36-hole event with two day totals of 143.

Both players parred the first hole while Turk could only manage a par on the par-5 second hole.

“My driver was almost perfect both days,” Schiring said. “Except on No. 16 when I snapped a drive and had to take a drop. And then John almost holed out for an ace on No. 17. I thought I had lost it but then found out we were tied and heading to a playoff. I had another chance to win it and took advantage of it.”

He said he knew the playoff would be a challenge.

“After the first hole when he made a great par I told myself to dig in because this could last awhile. Then I thought he was going to make birdie on the second hole but when he didn’t I took advantage.”

It was Schiring’s first SNGA win.

“The SNGA just does a tremendous job of putting on tournaments,” he said. “It’s just a great atmosphere.”

Senior

Gordon Schiring, 69-74—143

John Turk, 72-71—143

Darrell Lutey, 71-74—145

Senior Net

Hugh Manning also found himself in the winner’s circle for the first time.

He admitted it wasn’t easy.

“I missed a couple of short putts thinking about the score,” he said. “I didn’t realize I was that close and I think I put a little extra pressure on myself.”

He said coming up to the tournament, his game was solid.

“I put in a little extra time practicing and it paid off,” he said. “I was really striking my irons well. I didn’t hit any fat shots and that’s always good.”

Senior Net

Hugh Manning, 70-72—142

Donald Blanton, 73-69—143

Ron Siskey, 73-71—144

Silver

John Garrett’s goal in golf is easy: Have fun.

“It’s just fun to be in it,” he said. “I really don’t care if I win, I just want to play well.”

He did just that in posting a three-shot victory. It was his third win of 2018. He was also runnerup in this event in 2017.

He added a few breaks along the way didn’t hurt his effort.

“I got lucky with a couple of shots,” he said. “I hit some bad shots and got away with them. You definitely need a little luck along the way.”

Silver

John Garrett, 73-71—144

Tim Blau, 72-75—147

Cyrus Whitney, 75-72—147

Silver Net

Jim Cail is finally back in the winner’s circle.

“I won here seven or eight years ago,” he said. “It’s great to do it again. I putted well. It’s always the putts for me.”

Cail, who underwent a heart operation in January, said he’s finally back to 100 percent.

“I was playing here (Boulder Creek) and was going up a hill,” he said. “I felt pain in my chest. I said ‘This isn’t right’ and I made an appointment and went to see a cardiologist. He put in three stints and I spent about a week in the hospital. I lost a lot of weight but my expectations are back.”

He added that going to the doctor literally saved his life.

“He said if I wouldn’t have come in that probably would have been my last round of golf,” he said.

Silver Net

Jim Cail, 72-66—138

Jeffrey English, 76-66—142

Jim Burger, 73-69—142