Hogle, Whitney, Levitt, Arnold Win Titles at Clark County Senior Amateur
Glenn Hogle (Senior) and Cyrus Whitney (Silver) won gross titles in the 2021 Clark County Senior Amateur which was held Nov. 18-19, 2021, at Boulder Creek Golf Club. Carl Arnold (Senior) and Greg Levitt (Silver) were the net title champions at the final major of 2021. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.
Senior
Hogle, Whitney, Arnold And Levitt Win Titles At Clark Country Senior Amateur
Thirty-six holes wasn’t enough as the Senior Division went to a playoff before Glenn Hogle won with a birdie on the first hole.
It was an up-and-down two days for Hogle.
He opened the tournament with birdies on five of his first seven holes to hold a three-shot edge after Day 1.
But Sean McManaman kept the pressure up on the second day with a six-under-par 66 and the two wound up with a two-day total of 133 setting the stage for the playoff.
With the victory, Hogle won for the fourth time in 2021 as he had a stretch during the spring and summer where he won three of four events.
He’s been close since but hasn’t gotten over the top…until this week.
“I’m working on a new swing though that allows me to swing the club more freely,” he said. “I’ve been working with it for about a week. Yesterday it was about 80 percent there the whole day. Today, it was only there about 10 percent in the early going and Sean caught me.”
The two battled down the stretch with McManaman birdieing the final two holes to force the playoff.
“He is clutch,” Hogle said. “He birdied 17 and then made about a 20-footer on 18.”
In the playoff, McManaman missed an 18-footer for birdie and Hogle, who had put a wedge from 46 yards to about four feet, made his birdie to claim the title.
“He hit a wonderful second shot and somehow his putt just didn’t go in,” Hogle said.
Hogle then made his putt to earn the crown.
“I did set my mind to winning this tournament using the new swing thoughts,” he said. “I’ve been working toward this and cresting toward a new level of play and it’s already showing great results.”
Senior
x-Glenn Hogle, 64-69—133
Sean McManaman, 67-66—133
Gary Carpendale, 71-70—141
x-won on first playoff hole
Senior Net
There’s a hot tournament start. There’s a red-hot tournament start. And then there’s the Carl Arnold tournament start.
Arnold opened the two-day event with net eagles on his first two holes en route to a five-shot victory. For the tournament, Arnold had two more net eagles to go along with 12 birdies (one natural and 11 net).
“They were birdies on the scorecard but net eagles so that was a great way to start,” Arnold said of his first SNGA title. “The first one I chipped in and the second one was a 10-foot, downhill putt that fell right in.”
He wasn’t through.
“After those I had three 3s in a row and that really relaxed me and I just tried to play solid golf,” he said.
He added his putting was the key.
“The greens were in perfect condition,” he said. “All you had to do was get the ball on the right line. When your putter is hot, it seems like everything else works, too.”
His breakthrough victory came at a course he’s familiar with.
“I’ve been in the hunt at this tournament before,” he said. “I’ve played it two or three times and I’ve always felt comfortable here. It is really nice to get that first win.”
He said it still didn’t come easy.
“Today I just tried to make sure I didn’t make the same mistakes I made yesterday,” he said. “I also had quite a few good up-and-downs. If I missed a green, I managed to chip it close and make putts.”
Senior Net
Carl Arnold, 64-68—132
Greg Frey, 68-69—137
Jim LiCausi, 69-70—139
Silver
Cyrus Whitney put 10 birdies on the scorecard and overcame a triple bogey on the second day to hold on for a two-stroke victory.
It was Whitney’s second straight Clark County Senior Amateur title as he also won last year as he continues his comeback from having both hips replaced.
“Father Time is cruel and we aren’t getting any younger,” he said with a laugh talking about his health. “But playing this distance in the Silver Division helps a lot of us stay in the game.”
Whitney said his two days were solid until the 14th hole on Friday.
“I was sort of cruising along and enjoying the day,” he said. “There wasn’t much stress. And then I made one mistake and instead of taking my medicine I tried to be a hero and wound up with a triple.”
But he didn’t let it get him down.
“I made one more birdie coming in and got to enjoy it,” he said.
He said the key to his round, with the exception of the triple bogey on 14, was the par 5s.
“I did well on the par 5s,” he said. “I got seven of the eight of them so that was good. You’re going to make some bogeys out here so when you have the chance to make a birdie, you’ve got to take advantage.”
Silver
Cyrus Whitney, 70-74—144
Frank Ellenburg, 74-72—146
Mark Dopheide, 72-75—147
Silver Net
Greg Levitt beat Tony Troilo in a scorecard playoff to win his first SNGA title. Both players carded two-day totals of 139.
For Leavitt, it wasn’t the finish (to the round) that he wanted but it was definitely the finish (in the standings) he wanted.
“I hit a good drive (on the final hole) but my ball wound up in a divot and I didn’t hit a good shot and couldn’t get it on the green,” he said. “I didn’t want to have a bad score to finish but I did. That’s golf. You just can’t get angry about it. You’ve just got to play on. I’m just happy I still managed to win.”
Overall, his game-plan worked out to perfection over the two days.
“I decided to use my 4-wood off the tee instead of my driver,” he said. “And it worked. I think I hit every fairway and just played solid golf. I feel pretty good right now.”
He also was proud of his play on a particular hole.
“I played the No. 1 handicap hole very well,” he said. “I parred it both days and just missed a birdie today. I was happy to play the toughest hole that well.”
Silver Net
x-Greg Levitt, 70-69—139
Tony Troilo, 69-70—139
Loren Little, 73-68—141
x-Won in scorecard playoff
