Member Awards 2023 – Official Video and Details
In all, 11 Southern Nevada Golf Association members earned top honors for 2023. There were 10 golfers who earned recognition for playing while one loyal and dedicated person was named Volunteer of the Year.
Here are some of their stories and what we think of them. Plus a year-end video.
SNGA Championship Series
Josh Goldstein, Championship – Josh is a multiple time SNGA Championship Player of the Year and earns the Brady Exber Trophy for the third year in a row. Josh won one event and finished in the top 10 eight times. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Josh is always one of the favorites to win in any event he tees it up in, which is why he performs so consistently year in and year out. Josh recently moved to Texas for a job opportunity and myself and the entire SNGA staff wish him the best. I expect to see Josh next year at some select SNGA and/or Nevada State Championships, and we look forward to having him back when he is able to compete.”
Jeff Gilliame, Net – Jeff is a two-time SNGA Net Player of the Year with his last honor coming in 2018. GIlliame won once and finished in the top five a total of three times. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Jeff hovers between a 3-5 handicap index at most events, which is on the lower side of handicap indexes in the Net Division. Sometimes lower handicap players have a preconceived notion that they cannot compete in a Net Division with higher handicaps. But Jeff was able to show that if you manage to keep your game consistent and find a way to come away with just one good tournament win, that can be enough.”
Todd Roberts, Senior – Todd is now a 4-time Senior Player of the Year and was inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame in 2023. Roberts finished in the top 3 in 11 of 13 events and won four times. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Todd is one of the most consistent golfers I have ever seen. There are players in the senior division that are longer than he is, players with better iron games, and a few players who putt as well or better than him. But, I don’t believe there are many, if any, players that put all aspects of the game together and find a way to score like he does.”
Kelly Knievel, Senior Net – Knievel, son of Evel, highlighted his year with a 63 en route to winning the Clark County Senior Amateur. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Kelly went into the final event of the year with his sights set on overtaking Todd Roberts for the Senior Scratch Player of the Year. Kelly played incredibly during that event, including shooting a gross 63 (-9) on the first day, which matched his age. It was one of, if not the best, rounds of tournament golf played by any SNGA tournament player all year.”
Gary Carpendale, Silver – When Gary shows up, he wins, proven again by his six victories in 2023. He is now the two-time defending Silver player of the year. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Gary is unbelievable. He hits the ball incredibly long for his age and is really a top tier player. In my opinion, Gary could still be very competitive if he wanted to play and compete with the younger guys in the Senior Division. But in typical Gary fashion, he says he’s not long enough to compete in that division even though all of his peers would tell you that he is full of it with a statement like that.”
Tony Troilo, Silver Net – This is Tony’s second Silver Net Player of the Year award in the last three years. He also won this award in the 2021 season. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Tony is a great guy and a fierce competitor. I know we were very happy to have him as a net representative on our 2023 Oliver Cup team. Tony was one of the reasons the SNGA won the cup over the NNGA team this year. It was his consistency from start to finish that got the job done for him this year.”
SNGA Tour Series
Kevin McEvoy, Championship – Kevin won one event and finished in the top 5 a total of seven times. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Kevin is the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada PGA Chapter and, as such, helps the SNGA and the PGA maintain a wonderful working relationship that we truly appreciate. In 2022, Kevin finished second in the points race. This year it came down to the final SNGA Tour Series event of the season at Las Vegas National. Kevin had the points lead going into the event, but there were still plenty of people in the field with a chance to overtake him. Kevin weathered the storm that day and managed to hold onto the lead and earn his spot as Tour Series Player of the Year.”
Sam Frey, Net – Sam earned one victory and five top 5 finishes. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “I am extremely happy for Sam. Sam is a great guy and someone I play golf with quite a bit. Sam has come a long way as a golfer. He hits the ball a mile, but struggles sometimes with keeping that long ball in play. You can see the progress he has made with his game and it’s great to see. Sam managed to shoot a career low round at Chimera Golf Club in one of the SNGA Tour series events in 2023. The way he has been playing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sets a new career low sometime in the near future.”
John Bobroski, Senior – John won four times during the 2023 season. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “John is a great player and a great supporter of SNGA events. He plays in most of our Tour Series events as well as most of our Championship Series events. He has a very deserving resume this year with four wins. John is also a force to be reckoned with in the senior Division for the SNGA Championship events as well. I would not be the least bit surprised to see him contending and winning more in the two-day championship events as well.”
Dave Foggia, Silver – Dave won three times and finished in the top 5 a total of six times. SNGA’s Tim Brand: “Dave is a mild-mannered guy who treats everyone he plays with well. On top of that he is one heck of a player. When you play in Tour Series events, win three, and finish inside the top 5 six of those seven times, you’re doing something right. I have no doubt he will continue to rack up future wins and contend for player of the year titles if he continues to play like he did this year.”
SNGA Volunteer of the Year
Barbara Irwin, Rules Official
After relocating to Southern Nevada from Colorado, Barbara Irwin has quickly has become an integral part of the Southern Nevada Golf Association rules team. Players, staff, and other rules officials love and appreciate her, and she does the job on and off the course. She now helps lead rules official Sue May by scheduling rules officials for the many amateur tournaments throughout the year and is there whenever called upon to assist.
SNGA’s Ann Sunstrum: “We are thrilled to honor Barbara as Volunteer of the Year because she is so giving of her time on behalf of the Southern Nevada Golf Association. She has really melded well with everyone and she is respected for her work ethic, knowledge, and good nature. The only bummer is she is not able to be here this evening to accept this award, but we wanted her to know she is deeply appreciated. If you want to know a little more about her, be sure to view the Annual Awards video that will be posted to SNGA.org soon.”
