[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Scott Berren beat a strong field and even stronger winds in winning the Championship Division of the 2017 SNGA Tour Chimera Golf Club tournament. The event was held May 25, 2017, at Chimera Golf Club in Henderson. Berren’s round of three-under-par 69 was good enough for a two-stroke victory. Andrew Chu and Darren Johnson tied for second at one-under–By Bill Bowman
Berren, who carded five birdies and a pair of bogeys in the round, said the course and wind combined to be formidable foes. “It was definitely a difficult day,” Berren said. “But I played pretty well. I kept everything in front of me. I don’t think I hit a full iron shot all day…I kept everything down and flighted the ball very well. Plus, I was able to make some nice par-saving putts.”
Berren played in the tournament with one purpose in mind. “I came up here to try and qualify for the (Nevada) State Amateur,” said Berren, who coaches a high school golf team in Tempe, Ariz. “That was my whole mission.”
Mission accomplished as he was one of nine to qualify for the Nevada State Amateur which will be held July 6-8 at Genoa Lakes-Reno. Others who qualified at the Chimera event included: Johnson, Chu, Grant McKay, Jay Sostarich, Lorenzo Gillenwater, Jason Cordon, Jeff Cochran and Scott Barr.
Championship Division
Scott Berren, 69
Andrew Chu, 71
Darren Johnson, 71
Casey Mersch, 74
Grant McKay, 75
Bradley Collet, 76
The Net Division saw Dustin Bierma fire an even-par round of 72 to edge Joel Washinsky by a stroke.
Net Division
Dustin Bierma, 72
Joel Washinsky, 73
Mark Stevenson, 74
The Senior Division winner was Frank Acker who carded a 78 to beat Bruce Belcoure by two strokes.
Senior Division
Frank Acker, 78
Bruce Belcoure, 80
Chris Whatley, 81
The Senior Division Net title went to Brad Davis who won a scorecard playoff over Donald Klier. Both had 76s.
Davis was quick to chuckle about his advantages in playing in the windy conditions. “That favors me,” he said with a laugh. “I’m short in stature and I don’t hit it far so that fits my game.”
He said his game is still a work in progress. “I didn’t really play all that well, but I’m certainly working hard to try and be a better golfer,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for all of these guys I’m competing with.”
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis, 76
Donald Klier, 76
Don Blanton, 80
In the Silver Division, Frank Abbott’s even-par 72 was good enough for a two-stroke victory over Ralph Durgin.
“The wind blew pretty hard…especially on the second nine,” Abbott said. “I just hung in there and made a few good shots. I had a hiccup on the front nine and hit one in the pond on No. 9 and made a double but I made some birdies on the second nine so that helped.”
Silver Division
Frank Abbott, 72
Ralph Durgin, 74
Michael Koch, 77
Mike Apfel’s 70 wound up as the winning score in the Silver Division Net race. He beat Robert Darling and David Waldrip by a stroke. It was Apfel’s first SNGA win.
“I’m glad I finally broke the drought,” he said. “I played better than I expected and putted really well. I surprised myself and was fortunate enough to have a few putts go in the hole.”
It was another exciting day of US Open local qualifying in Southern Nevada, and Mathew Nolasco was low medalist and one of four golfers who move on to US Open Regional qualifying. Nolasco, a member of SouthShore, shot a 67 to advance.
The two alternates were Scott Lewis and Zane Thomas.
USGA United States Open Local Qualifier
SouthShore Golf Club – Par 72
Final Results
* Qualified for sectional.
** 1st qualifier
*** 2nd qualifier
* Matthew Nolasco, Las Vegas – 36-31–67
* Phillip Reedy, Henderson – 31-37–68
* Nick Killpack, Las Vegas – 35-33–68
* Bohyun Lim, Las Vegas – 32-36–68
* Ben Geyer, Arbuckle, Calif. – 34-34–68
** Danny Lewis, Morrow, Ohio – 35-34–69
*** Zane Thomas, Las Vegas – 35-34–69
Mark Andrew Vukovich, Reno – 37-33–70
Scott Diel, Las Vegas – 36-34–70
Tyler Mays, Las Vegas – 37-34–71
Robert Eyvazzadeh, Las Vegas – 36-35–71
Shane Sigsbee, Las Vegas – 37-34–71
RC Orr, Sacramento, Calif. – 36-35–71
Matt Williams, Pebble Beach, Calif. – 39-32–71
Jonathan Murphy, Henderson – 36-35–71
Juan Pablo Colin, Mexico, Calif. – 35-36–71
Andrew Von Lossow, Seattle, Wash. – 38-33–71
Mitchel Carlson, Las Vegas – 34-37–71
Michael Dominick, Bayside, Calif. – 37-34–71
Brady Exber, Las Vegas – 38-34–72
Taylor Montgomery, Henderson – 34-38–72
Matt Snyder, Las Vegas – 36-36–72
Peter Mitchell, Orlando, Florida – 38-34–72
Dylan Fritz, Las Vegas – 40-32–72
Keith Clearwater, Las Vegas – 37-35–72
Alex Bungert, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. – 36-36–72
Neil Bautista, Bakersfield, Calif. – 37-35–72
Masatoshi Mori, Japan – 35-37–72
Maxwell Marsico, Las Vegas – 37-36–73
Van Thomas, Las Vegas – 39-34–73
Curtis Deal, Las Vegas – 36-37–73
Ryan Vaughan, San Jose, Calif. – 39-34–73
Marcus Opheim, Las Vegas – 37-36–73
Nathan Maas, Las Vegas – 35-38–73
Jerry Crowell, Riverside, Calif. – 38-36–74
Michael Yaeger, Las Vegas – 39-35–74
Erik Newkirk, Las Vegas – 41-33–74
PAHRUMP, Nev. (May 7, 2017)–Alex Jordan beat Jeremy May on the fourth hole of a playoff to win the championship division of the 2017 Nye County Championship held at Mountain Falls Golf Club in Pahrump. The tournament, held May 6-7, was also the second qualifier for the 2017 Nevada State Amateur. Other division champs were Todd McDevitt, Tim Dugan, Don Blanton, Frank Abbott and Larry Agan. The players who qualified for the state am included: Scott Lytle, Andrew Watts, Kyle Robert Meade, Steve Mulryan, Gilbert Wilson III and Greg Whittemore.— By Bill Bowman.
May and Philip Rowe battled through windy conditions to lead after the first day, posting rounds of even-par 72. Jordan was three shots back after a first-round 75.
But during the final round, Jordan carded a four-under-par 68 that included five birdies and one bogey. That set up the playoff with May who had a second-round 71, one-under.
“I made a lot of putts,” Jordan said. “And I had a lot of crucial par putts that kept the momentum going. I had a 10-footer that was downhill on 17 that really helped.”
Both players parred the first three holes in the playoff and Jordan added a par on the fourth playoff hole for the win. It was his second victory in SNGA events.
Jordan said the first day’s windy conditions hurt him but he powered through it. “I have a little higher ball flight so the wind messes with me a little more, but I made some putts that definitely helped me out.”
Alex Jordan
Championship Division
x-Alex Jordan, 75-68—143
Jeremy May, 72-71—143
Charlie Magruder, 75-70—145
Philip Rowe, 72-74—146
Kenny Ebalo, 73-75—148
x-Won on fourth playoff hole
In the Net Division, Todd McDevitt’s second round 74 helped him pull away to a three-shot victory over Gary McCollum. McDevitt had rounds of 70-74—144 while McCollum posted 70-77—147
“I didn’t hit the ball real well, but I grinded it out pretty well,” he said. “I made a few putts when I needed to and I scrambled to do the best I could.”
It was McDevitt’s third SNGA win over the last two seasons.
Todd McDevitt
Net Division
Todd McDevitt, 70-74—144
Gary McCollum, 70-77—147
Kenneth Paul, Jr., 74-77—151.
Tim Dugan opened with a 75 and held on for a three-stroke victory in the Senior Division. Dugan had a second-round 81 and held off a rally by Ed Thiele.
Dugan had his best round in Friday’s conditions. “I just played well the first day with the high winds,” he said. “I wound up with a four-stroke lead and was able to hold on at the end.”
Dugan lives in Pahrump and Mountain Falls is his home course. “I felt there was a little added pressure on me,” Dugan said. “I feel like I was expected to win on this course.”
Tim Dugan
Senior Division
Tim Dugan, 75-81—156
Ed Thiele, 80-79—159
Chris Whatley, 79-81—160
Don Blanton’s score of 73-76—149 was good enough for a two-stroke victory in the Senior Division Net. It was Blanton’s first victory in the SNGA events.
“I’m just having a great time,” Blanton said. “Last year I played in two tournaments and finished last in both of them and stopped playing. But now I’ve learned not to quit.”
He said his putting was solid. “It was my best putting tournament ever,” he said. “I had 31 putts both days. I didn’t three-putt and that’s what usually kills me in tournaments. The practice is starting to pay off.”
Senior Division Net
Don Blanton, 73-76—149
Randy Burton, 80-71—151
Brad Davis, 77-76—153
The Silver Division saw Frank Abbott fire an even-par 72 during the second round en route to an 8-shot victory. Abbott had a four-stroke lead after the first round, but his three-birdie, three-bogey effort in the second round helped him coast to the victory.
It was Abbott’s third victory of the season. “I played very good before the wind came up (Saturday) but had a couple of hiccups when the wind was blowing its hardest and had a couple of double bogeys,” Abbott said. “I was one-under on the back nine (Sunday). I played really solid on the back nine.”
Frank Abbott
Silver Division
Frank Abbott, 76-72—148
Kevin Parrish, 80-76—156
Bruce Swanson, 84-76—160
Larry Agan and John Kelly each fired rounds of 72-71—143 to tie for the top spot in the Silver Division Net with Agan winning on the first playoff hole.
“I stayed out of trouble pretty well both days,” Agan said. “If I had a bad shot I didn’t compound it with another bad shot. I definitely chipped and putted better on (Sunday) than Saturday.”
Brigham Gibbs started quickly with a birdie on the first hole and went on to card a one-over-par 61 to win the 2017 SNGA Short Game Championship. The event was held April, 28, 2017 at Desert Willow Golf Course in Henderson, Nv. Gibbs carded five birdies and six bogeys in the wind-blown round to win by four shots. –By Bill Bowman.
Henderson’s Desert Willow Golf Club is a par-60 executive course. The layout reaches 3,811 yards and was designed by the world-class duo of Billy Casper and Greg Nash. The course has 12 par 3s and six par 4s along with impressive elevation changes, bunkering and water features.
Gibbs was fine with having to battle the course in windy conditions. “I love the wind,” he said. “I didn’t hit it very solid today but I kept it in play and I made a lot of putts.”
There was only negative to his round: “I did have a three-putt but I did make a couple of other putts that made up for that one,” he said.
This was Gibb’s second SNGA win, having won once in 2016. “I’m not in town a lot but if I’m here for business, I’ll certainly play.”
Brigham Gibbs
Championship Division
Brigham Gibbs, 61
Craig Erickson, 65
Jay Sostrich, 66
Matt Meyer, 68
Jason Cordon, 68
Net Division
A chip-in birdie helped Allen Grant, who has just returned to playing in SNGA events, to post a victory. “I felt I played pretty well,” he said. “But I did double-bogey three of the last five holes, but the wind will definitely take its toll…especially on courses like this with a lot of par 3s.”
Grant said he’s heard plenty of good things about SNGA events and thought it was time to come back. “I used to play in them way back, but life kind of got in the way and I got too busy. Now I’m starting to play again and this is a good welcome back.”
Net Division
Allen Grant, 65
Dustin Bierma, 69
Michael Godfrey, 70
Senior Division
The Senior Division saw Rob Mullaney start the round with a second-hole birdie, his only one of the round. He was even-par through his first eight holes and posted a three-shot win over James Hill. Mullaney posted a four-over-par score of 64.
Hill did have three birdies in his round, two on the front nine and one on the back nine.
Senior Division
Rob Mullaney, 64
James Hill, 67
Randy Burton, 74
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis’ net 63 wound up being good enough for a one-stroke victory over Anthony Santora and Don Blanton. Davis did post a birdie on the par-3 5th hole to highlight his round.
Santora battled back after starting the round with back-to-back triple bogeys.
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis, 63
Anthony Santora, 64
Don Blanton, 64
Silver Division
Jim Cail’s round included just one birdie, but he played solid enough to win the Silver Division crown with a 9-over-par 69. A triple bogey on the final hole almost cost him his victory as he posted a one-stroke win over Steve Johnson.
Silver Division
Jim Cail, 69
Steve Johnson, 70
John Kelley, 71
Silver Division Net
Carson Day held on for the win in the Silver Division Net. “It was pretty ugly out here,” he said. “It affected me more putting than anything else…that was the tough part.”
The 18th hole highlighted his day. “It was great finish, even though it was for a bogey,” he said. “The wind was treacherous. I hit a 200 yard club and it went about 150 yards. But then I pitched in off the green for a bogey so that was kind of a neat thing.”
Tom Khamis, left, with UNLV PGM professor Kyle Helms.
Tom Khamis, the current secretary of the Southern Nevada Golf Association, immediately downplayed his role within the organization when this writer spoke by phone with him recently. He even joked his story would only need about one column inch, which isn’t a whole lot by writing standards.
But after just a few moments, it was clear the article would be running just a bit over that amount.
Since becoming involved in the USGA and SNGA about a decade and a half ago, Khamis has served as a rules official, a golf course rater, a USGA regional affairs representative and an SNGA executive committee member.
He was also a rules official for the Amateur Public Links event, prior to it being discontinued. He fondly remembers one year when Michele Wie played and tried to qualify for The Masters.
As a USGA Regional Affairs Representative, Khamis, and other reps, are asked for their input about a variety of issues and also how other golfers they come in contact with are feeling about the state of golf.
“I love golf, period,” Khamis, a 11.7 handicap, said. “I can go out and play with anybody and have a great time. I am just a happy golfer and it’s also nice to hear the comments from the players and their thoughts about the game.”
Khamis first started playing golf in 1966 when he moved to Las Vegas with his wife, Marie, who suggested he start played with her uncle, Doc Enos, a decorated veteran in both the Army and Air Force. Ever since, Khamis has had a passion for the sport and willingness to help where he can.
Longtime USGA rules official and Southern Nevada resident Sue May got him involved and while he doesn’t officiate tournaments anymore, he is still active as the secretary of the association and is a part of the course rating team. The group recently rated Red Rock Country Club and will soon rate the new Summit course, a highly-anticipated Tom Fazio course being built by Discovery Land in the company’s new Summerlin community. He also just returned from a USGA course rating seminar in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Khamis is pleased with the direction of both the SNGA and the USGA.
“I think the new rules changes are terrific and were much needed,” Khamis said. “Golf needs to embrace the future and change with the times. I think the USGA and SNGA are doing that. Over the last several years, I think the SNGA has done a good job under the direction of Ann Sunstrum and worked with other stakeholder associations in Southern Nevada to create a sense of partnership and community. It’s been good to be a part of all of that.”
Coyote Springs Golf Club is located about a 45 minute drive from the heart of Las Vegas and has become a favorite of locals and SNGA members. One of the options to play and save at the course is to join the Coyote Club members.
By joining, members enjoy discounted green fees, receive a free round of golf upon signup, 10% off entrees in Mitch’s Bar and Grill plus 10% savings in the pro shop. Also part of the membership is four guest passes at the member rate. A USGA/SNGA GHIN handicap is included as well.
The course plays to a par 72 and ranges from 5,349 yards from the forward tees to 7,471 yards from the championship tees. Eleven lakes come into play on the golf course many consider to be one of Nicklaus’ finest desert creations.
Coyote Springs also has a large and diverse practice facility. The current practice facility measures 19 acres and features more than 100,000 square-feet of tee area, 13 target greens for a variety of club selections, as well as a short game green for pitching, chipping and bunker practice. The practice green measures 10,000 square-feet and offers a multitude of hole locations.
Coyote Springs has been recognized as one of the best new courses in the country when it opened in 2008 by several publications and continues to receive quality reviews by players and media.
Coyote Springs hosts a SNGA Tour event on September 22, 2017.
Call 1-877-742-8455 or visit www.CoyoteSprings.com for all information or to sign up.
UNLV redshirt freshman Justin Chong strung together three straight birdies on the front nine during the final round of the 2017 Sunrise Throwback Amateur en route to a two-stroke victory. The tournament was played April 1-2, 2017, at The Club at Sunrise. It was Chong’s second SNGA win of the year and he posted rounds of 73-67—140 to beat his UNLV teammate, Derek Castillo, by two shots. — By Bill Bowman.
The three-birdie stretch kicked Chong’s game into gear. “The third and fifth holes (par 3s) are definitely par holes and I birdied both of them so that definitely had me full of confidence,” Chong said. “I did hit the ball well and putted very well (Sunday).”
It was a different round than the opening 18 holes of the tournament. “I had a 73 the first day and three-putted the last two holes so I really finished poorly,” he said. “It was nice to come back and play solid (Sunday).”
Edward Fryatt led after the first round with an even-par 72.
Championship Division
Justin Chong, 73-67-140
Derek Castillo, 74-68—142
Keegan Brasch, 73-71—144
Josh Goldstein, 72-72—144
Edward Fryatt, 71-74—145
SENIOR DIVISION
Gary Carpendale posted three birdies in a six-hole stretch to win the Senior Division with scores of 76-76—152. He beat Kelly Knievel by two strokes.
“It seems like all the guys had trouble with the course,” Carpendale said. “The course was in great shape and the greens were beautiful, but the golf we played wasn’t perfect, that’s for sure.”
The birdie barrage helped Carpendale overcome a late-round triple-bogey. “I guess I just had to make it a little exciting,” he said.
Senior Division
Gary Carpendale, 76-76—152
Kelly Knievel, 77-77-154
Chris Whatley, 80-79—159
SENIOR DIVISION NET
For Brad Davis in the Senior Division Net, it was simple: “I kept it in the fairway and the putter treated me very well,” he said of his victory.
Davis added he got himself into–and out of–trouble very smoothly.
“When I missed greens I was able to convert and get up and down,” he said. “And I kept it out of the water. I’m left-handed and the golf course is kind of set up for my advantage so my misses weren’t in the water.”
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis, 74-72—146
Joe Rada, 78-72—150
Jeffrey Gilliame, 74-78—152
SILVER DIVISION
Frank Abbott used a hot start on the first day to cruise to a three-shot victory in the Silver Division.
Abbott carded rounds of 72-77—149 to beat Kevin Parrish by three strokes.
“I played real well in the wind the first day,” Abbott said. “I probably scored four or five shots higher (Sunday) than I should have but I just hung in there until the end.”
The second day saw Abbott scramble with the best of them.
“I didn’t hit the ball well, but I got it up and down,” he added. “I holed a bunker shot for par on the first hole and holed about a 35-footer for bogey on the fifth hole. I just never gave up.”
Silver Division
Frank Abbott, 72-77—149
Kevin Parrish, 74-78—152
Ralph Durgin, 80-87—167
SILVER DIVISION NET
Tom Richardson’s win in the Silver Division Net portion of the event was a battle of survival. He had rounds of 74-77—151 to win by three.
“I played fairly well but putted poorly,” he said. “I’d get something going and then hit a bad shot and it goes down in the ditch and I’d get a double or a triple. Or I’d three-putt. Both days, people seemed to have rounds going and then they blew up. I just happened to survive everyone else.”
Hale Allen started off each nine with a birdie in Wednesday’s SNGA Tour Wildhorse Golf Course First State Am Qualifier and went on to win the championship flight in a playoff. Allen parred the first extra hole to beat Edward Fryatt. Both wound up regulation play with 2-over-par 72 totals. — By Bill Bowman.
Fryatt had it to one-under-par through 13 holes, but bogeys on three of his final five holes left him at two-over and in the playoff while Allen, after a birdie on No. 10, played the final eight holes at two-over.
“It was my first individual event in about 12 years so there were a lot of nerves,” Allen said. “I really didn’t think I had a chance at all.”
He was happy with the day, but admits the round could have been better. “I left putts short on three or four holes on the front nine so that was really frustrating,” he said. “I definitely left a few shots out there.”
Six players qualified their way into the Nevada State Amateur, set for July 6-8, 2017, at Genoa Lakes-Reno. Those six included: Jay Sostarich 73; Mickey Chard, 74; Jason Margetts, 74; Josh Goldstein, 76; Bradley Keyer, 78 and Casey Mensch, 79.
Championship flight
x-Hale Allen, 72
Edward Fryatt, 72
Jay Sostarich, 73
Mickey Chard, 74
Jason Margetts, 74
x-won on first playoff hole
Lynn Parker won the Senior Division crown with a round of five-over-par 75. He beat Al Adrian and James Hill by a shot.
Senior Division
Lynn Parker, 75
Al Adrian, 76
James Hill, 76
Joe Washinski’s 67 was good enough for a three-stroke win over Anthony Santora in the combined Net/Senier Net Division.
Net Division+Senior Net Division
Joe Washinski, 67
Anthony Santora, 70
Jim Wise, 72
Jeffrey English fired a one-over-par 73 to breeze to a four-stroke win in the Silver Division.
Silver Division
Jeffrey English, 73
Frank Abbott, 77
Keith Redmann, 79
Richard Southwick came in with a 67 to edge John Kelly and Bob Darling by a stroke in the Silver Division Net.
Tucked in the Red Rock mountains above Summerlin is the Arroyo course at Red Rock Country Club, a beautiful Arnold Palmer golf course, and also the Siena Golf Club, a sweet design created by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley. A special annual Players Card is available and allows members many special privileges.
Becoming a member of the Player’s Club comes with a free round of golf if you sign up prior to April 30, 2017, plus many other benefits, including discounted tee times, pro shop merchandise and other specials. Also a part of the club membership fee are unlimited guest passes where up to three of your guests play for the same discounted player’s club member rate.
If you aren’t interested in joining the club, be sure to visit the official websites of the courses for the new dynamic pricing which guarantees the best available rates depending upon how far in advance you reserve tee times.
Player’s club members will receive the same privileges at both Siena Golf Club and Arroyo Golf Club.
Unlimited guest passes. This allows you to bring unlimited guests throughout the year (3 guests per reservation / 1 reservation per day) at the player’s club rate. Guests must play with the player’s club member to receive guest rate.
Complimentary cart and practice balls before round of golf (day of play only)
Las Vegas National Golf Club oozes Las Vegas golf history. From being the site of a major on the LPGA Tour to the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions to the Sahara Amateur and the Las Vegas Invitational, dozens of tour champions have been crowned on the course.
The LPGA Championship kicked things off in 1961-66 shortly after the course opened as the Stardust Country Club. Among the champs was LPGA Golf Hall of Famer Mickey Wright, who was also on hand for opening day festivities.
In 1967 and 1968 the course hosted the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions and then in 1996, then going by the name Las Vegas Hilton Country Club, Tiger Woods shot 1-under par 70 on the course for one of his five rounds en route to his win at the Las Vegas Invitational. It was the first professional win for Woods and it took him only five starts to get it.
Over the years, Las Vegas National has hosted many SNGA tournaments and other amateur events. In 2017, the course will host the Father/Son Championship on June 11, a USGA Junior Amateur qualifier on June 28 and the SNGA Championship on December 9-10.
The National course features hundreds of mature pine trees and is an oasis-style course located in the heart of the city. A unique new feature of the course is the fun and innovative GolfBoards, where golfers can “surf the earth” while playing a round.
Conditions at the National are very good and the staff urges SNGA members to come out and experience the course either for the first time or come back out if you haven’t played it in awhile.
Also, there are twilight specials plus the National offers annual memberships and card holder programs plus offers loyalty deals in the summer months.
Currently rates start as low as $25 for 9 holes at National and $35 after 2 pm for locals.
Las Vegas National is also the home of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame exhibit, which is free and open to the public during regular clubhouse hours.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 13, 2017)—The 2017 Summerlin Amateur golf tournament came down to a battle of survival as Brady Exber survived a three-man playoff to win the two-day event. The tournament was played March 11-12, 2017 over two of the Golf Summerlin family of layouts with Saturday’s round at Highland Falls Golf Club and Sunday’s final round at Palm Valley Golf Club.–By Bill Bowman
Golf Summerlin has three 18-hole layouts with Highland Falls and Palm Valley being 18-hole championship layouts while Eagle Crest is an 18-hole executive course.
Exber, Josh Goldstein and Alex Jordan finished tied at 2-under-par 142 setting the stage for the playoff where Exber parred the first hole for the win.
“My wedge game was really, really steady,” Exber said. “I knew they were struggling a little behind us. I knew if I birdied 18 I would be the low score (in his group) and it was good enough to get me in the playoff.”
Exber added to an ever-growing victory total. He’s won at least one tournament every year since 1989. “I won this tournament last year and it was the only one I won,” he said. “It is nice to win early.”
Exber also pointed out the course conditioning. “Both of them were in excellent shape and were really good tests for us,” he said.
All three got to the playoff in different ways. Jordan (72-70—142) played a seven-hole stretch in four-under par on Sunday but a late double bogey brought him back to the pack. Goldstein (75-67—142) had the round of the tournament on Sunday with a five-under-par 67 while Exber (72-70—142) played two solid days and followed up an even-par first-round with a two-under effort on Sunday including that birdie on 18 that got him into the playoff.
Ed Fryatt and Brett Kanda, both former UNLV Rebels, were tied after the first day with four-under-par 68 totals.
Brady Exber
Championship Division
x-Brady Exber, 72-70—142
Josh Goldstein, 75-67—142
Alex Jordan, 72-70—142
Andrew Chu, 70-73—143
Edward Fryatt, 68-75—143
x-won in playoff
In the Net Division, Ryan Ramirez cruised to a 12-shot victory with rounds of 71-69—140. Second place went to Joe Benson with a score of 81-71—152.
Ramirez said his iron play was solid but also gave credit to his dad, Eduardo. “My dad caddied for me and gave me guidance around the course,” Ramirez said.
Ryan Ramirez
Net Division
Ryan Ramirez, 71-69—140
Joe Benson, 81-71—152
Andy Sessa, 77-76—153
Robert B. Taylor III, 79-74—153
The Senior Division saw Doug Pool birdie the 17th hole to open a lead over Gary Carpendale but it almost wasn’t good enough as Pool held on to win by a stroke after finishing with a bogey on the par-5 18th.
“I thought all I needed was a six on 18 and that’s what I got,” Pool said. “I had a downhill 20-footer for birdie and I was a little too careful and three-putted. But I had just chipped in for birdie on 17 and that gave me the cushion I needed.”
Doug Pool
Senior Division
Doug Pool, 72-74—146
Gary Carpendale, 72-75—147
Peter Dunlap, 73-75—148
John Turk, 73-76—149
Luis Morais breezed to the Senior Net Division title, winning by 11 strokes. He posted scores of 71-64—135. Second was Don Blanton at 74-72—146.
“Everything went the right way for me,” Morais said. “I did start with two three putts but then, starting with the third hole, it kind of clicked in and I started playing well. I just didn’t make any big mistakes.”
Luis Morais
Senior Division Net
Luis Morais, 71-64—135
Don Blanton, 74-72—146
Brian Marks, 75-72—147
Joe Gemma, 73-74—147
Neal Allen, 75-72—147
The Silver Division title went to Kevin Parrish as he beat Frank Abbott in a playoff. Both players finished with 74-72—146 totals and Parrish won with a par on the second hole.
“It was a little bit of a roller coaster,” Parrish said. “I made 10 birdies in the two days but I also had a couple of bad holes. I birdied 18 on Sunday to get into the playoff so I did play well down the stretch.”
Kevin Parrish
Silver Division
x-Kevin Parrish, 74-72—146
Frank Abbott, 74-72—146
Jeffrey English, 77-72—148
x-won in playoff
In the Silver Net Division, it was Richard Southwick coming up with the victory, posting scores of 69-69—138 and a four-stroke victory over Larry Keever.
“I just clubbed down and played fairly conservative,” Southwick said. “I was struggling the first day and gave up on my driver after four or five holes and hit a lot of irons. I drove it better Sunday but still used a lot of irons off the tee. I also putted pretty well.”
This is a new course but with a deep tradition. The Club at Sunrise has risen on the land where the historic Desert Rose Golf Club once was and even before that the really historic Winterwood golf course. Desert Rose and Winterwood are the courses where many locals grew up playing the game and both have a soft spot for many golfers in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.
The Club at Sunrise is brand new with a nice sparkle and local golfers are again heading to the northeast part of Las Vegas to tee it up on the layout, which has kept some of the old Desert Rose character while complete reshaping the layout with new bells and whistles.
Plus the course has released new rates for residents. Seniors can play for $32 on the weekdays while non-seniors are $35 on the weekdays. Weekends are $42. The rates include cart and green fee, two bottles of water and a $10 credit in the Winterwood Bar and Grille.
The Club at Sunrise also offers annual memberships that include reduced green fees, discounts in the pro shop and bar and grill and monthly short game clinic with a PGA teaching professional.
The course is owned by Clark County and was created as part of the overall Las Vegas Wash Project.
“It’s important to remember that this a regional flood control project with a golf course in it,” said new general manager Matt Kalbak, who is employed by Kemper Sports, the management company. “The project was designed to take 1,700 homes out of the flood zone. This is huge for this area, and the golf course will be a great benefit for the surrounding community.”
Today, longtime local golfers still see and feel some of the Desert Rose mystique, including many of the original pine trees, but there is a new clubhouse, and several holes are completely different. Plus, the old 6-foot “ditch,” a true course landmark that ran down the middle of the course between fairways, is now a massive, winding, grass-banked flood channel. Kalbak said 350,000 cubic yards of dirt was removed to create the channel.
The course opened as Winterwood in 1964 and locals of every level played there and some of the top amateur tournaments were decided on the course. Current Web.com and PGA Tour player Craig Barlow and 1990 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Robert Gamez each won the Clark County Amateur at what was then Desert Rose.
The course is being praised by locals and will once again host a tournament on the Southern Nevada Golf Association schedule. The Throwback Amateur, aptly named, is scheduled for April 1-2 and spots are still available.
Now is the time to check out The Club at Sunrise. It’s a fun trip back in history but on a nicely renovated course that serves a very important purpose.
Call 702-207-7501 for more info or visit TheClubatSunrise.com for all information and tee times.
More and more golf clubs are joining the Southern Nevada Golf Association and that means more opportunities for all golfers in Southern Nevada. There are a lot of wonderful sateliite clubs that aren’t officially part of golf courses and are made up of golfing friends and buddies.
One such club is the Guys & Gals Club that is anchored in Golf Summerlin. The Club has been around for about 17 years but their new handicap chairperson, Sumiko Tatsue, has worked with us at the SNGA to create an official club and USGA handicap system for Guys & Gals.
“We are a friendly, sociable golf club in Sun City Summerlin and we have a tournament one Sunday a month playing foursomes, two guys and two gals, game,” Tatsue said. “Residents who have a home owner’s association number in Sun City Summerlin and who have a USGA official handicap index are eligible to join, but according to our community regulations, anyone who has USGA official handicap can play in the tournaments maximum of two times a year as a guest so any house guests who are visiting Sun City Summerlin can play with us so long as they have a handicap.”
The annual entry fee is only $10 and tournament entry fees are only $6 plus the regular green fees.
The club welcomes couples as well singles to play a fun round of golf one Sunday morning each month.
The tournament formats are different each month, but always use a shotgun start, full handicaps for scoring and a Magic Putt. The tournaments alternate between the Palm Valley course and Highland Falls. After golf, there is lunch at the clubhouse and socializing.
Andre Nakaso, a member at Boulder Creek Golf Club, was in disbelief when he got the call from the SNGA that he had won the recent Four Peaks Brewery giveaway. The prize was a 3-day, two night stay at Quail Lodge and Golf Club in California.
“It was a shock to get the call and I don’t enter a lot of sweepstakes so I was even in more disbelief,” Nakaso said. “It just goes to show you that if you don’t enter, you won’t win. This contest interested me so I entered and I put myself in the game, and what do you know, I won.”
Nakaso plans to take the trip and visit family in northern California and also enjoy the Quail course and lodge and probably play Poppy Hills as well. Nakaso donates to charities and also believed that maybe the universe took notice and helped his luck for his previous good deeds.
Four Peaks started with a popular restaurant and brew pub in Tempe, Arizona, and has now expanded the beer distribution successfully to Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.
“A big thing at Four Peaks is the right beer for the right occasion and we are a lifestyle brand,” Four Peaks Marketing Executive Greg Ross said. “For 19 years we have been successful in Arizona and we see a lot of similarities between Arizona and the Las Vegas market, whether it’s drinking a Four Peaks ale while playing golf, lounging by the pool or at a professional sporting event. We look forward to partnering more with the Southern Nevada Golf Association and also getting more involved with Las Vegas golf in general.”
Four Peaks beers hand-crafted ales include: Kilt Lifter® Scottish-Style Ale, 8th Street® Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Sunbru® Kolsch-Style Ale, Hop Knot®, Oatmeal Stout, Raj I.P.A, Arizona Peach Ale, and a variety of seasonal specialties.
All four peaks details are available at FourPeaks.com.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 23, 2017)–Most golf tournaments are a marathon session played over days. But tournaments like the one-day Desert Pines SNGA Tour outing are a full-on sprint from the first hole. And for Jay Sostarich, it was a stunning 5-hole stretch early in the round that led to victory in the championship flight. The tournament was held Feb. 23, 2017 at Desert Pines Golf Club that saw no players finish under par. — By Bill Bowman.
Overall, Sostarich carded a three-over-par 74 on a cool, windy day. Sostarich, who started on the first hole in the shotgun event, played a five-hole stretch (Nos. 3-7) in four-under-par including an eagle and two birdies and then hung on for the win, posting a 34-40—74 total. He won by five strokes over Qian Qian, who carded a 42-37—79.
“The conditions were definitely tough,” Sostarich said of his first SNGA win. “Any time you have cool and windy weather it makes the course play that much more difficult.”
Sostarich added his second hole was definitely a key. “I drove it to the back of the green (a par-4) and then made about a 30-40 footer for eagle,” he said. “I haven’t made one of those in awhile so it was kind of nice.”
Jay Sostarich
Championship
Jay Sostarich, 34-40—74
Qian Qian, 42-37—79
Casey Mersch, 37-43—80
Matthew Meyer, 40-40—80
Greg Whittemore, 40-40—80
Andy Sessa’s 35-40—75 total was good enough for a win in the Net Division. Michael Godfrey and Tom Emlaw were second, four shots back with 79s.
“I just tried to stay patient,” Sessa said. “I had some bad holes but I tried to stay away from the big scores. I knew it was a rough day for everyone. I did have a chip-in and that certainly helped the score.”
Net
Andy Sessa, 35-40—75
Michael Godfrey, 40-39—79
Tom Emlaw, 37-42—79
Kenneth Paul, Jr., 42-38—80
Michael Jacka, 42-38—80
Frank Acker wound up as the Senior Division champion with a four-over-par 75. Acker played consistent golf with his 38-37—75 total that included a pair of birdies, one on each nine.
“I actually played pretty well,” Acker said. “I did make a couple of long putts and that helped, but I also did miss some short putts.”
Frank Acker
Senior
Frank Acker, 38-37—75
Joseph Gemma Jr., 43-41—84
Lynn Parker, 48-42—90
Brad Davis, playing in his first golf tournament ever, posted a victory in the Senior Net Division. “I just kept myself in play,” he said. “It worked out pretty well. Michael Fabian over at Canyon Gate has been helping me with my swing over the last couple of weeks and he, more than any other reason, is why I’m talking to you today.”
Brad Davis
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis, 36-36—72
Jim O’Hare, 38-39—77
Jimmy Clark, 40-40—80
In the Silver Division, Michael Koch’s five-over-par score of 39-37—76 was good enough for a three-stroke victory over John Kelley. Koch’s round included three birdies.
“It was pretty brutal out there,” Koch said. “The three birdies I had were very, very long putts. I did miss a few short putts so I could have shot better.”
Koch, who recently moved to the Vegas area from Texas, was taking part in his first SNGA event. “I thought I’d give it a shot and I’m very pleased with the result.”
Michael Koch
Silver Division
Michael Koch, 39-37—76
Keith Redmann, 38-42—80
Jeffrey English, 41-39—80
Frank Abbott, 43-37—80
John Kelly’s 37-34—71 round was good enough fr a three-stroke win in the Silver Division Net group. It was his second straight victory.
“The conditions were tough out there,” Kelly said. “It was cold and windy. It was a matter of survival. I played pretty good tee to green, but the greens were a little tough to figure out. And the pin positions were pretty tough as well.”
Justin Chong played two days of steady golf, firing two-under-par rounds each day, and it was enough to earn him a two-stroke victory in the SNGA’s 2017 Henderson Amateur Golf Tournament (snga.org/). The tournament was held the weekend of Feb. 11-12 at The Revere Golf Club. (reveregolf.com/) Saturday’s round was played at the Lexington Golf Club while Sunday’s action took place on the Concord Golf Club. — By Bill Bowman.
The Revere Golf Club’s layouts, both par 72 layouts designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash, wind seamlessly through canyons and feature stunning views and elevation changes.
Chong carded rounds of 70-70—142 to beat Ed Fryatt, who won the Tournament of Champions recently held at Bear’s Best, by two strokes. Fryatt had rounds of 70-72—142.
“I hit the driver really well and hit a lot of quality iron shots,” said Chong, a member of the UNLV golf team.
Chong and Fryatt, also a former Rebel, played in the same group and Chong knew he would have a challenge. “Eddie’s a great player,” Chong said. “I knew it would be tough and I’d have to play my best. The win is a real good boost for my confidence.”
He added the 9th hole on Sunday was a key to the round. “I hit a good drive and had about 230 into the green and it was uphill. I hit my 3-wood perfectly and it set up an easy two-putt birdie. It really built my confidence and momentum.”
Chong wound up with 10 birdies and six bogeys over the two days.
Justin Chong
Championship
Justin Chong, 70-70—140
Edward Fryatt, 70-72—142
Yash Majmudar, 77-71—148
Keegan Brasch, 75-73—148
Derek Castillo, 71-77—148
The Net Division crown went to Bryan Carlon, but it wasn’t easy as he had to overcome a few bad holes down the stretch. He kept it all in perspective.
“I just tried to stay in the moment,” Carlon said. “I tried to let the bad shots go and that’s how I stayed in contention. I had a couple of doubles back-to-back but then I made about a 30-footer on the last hole to win by a shot.”
Bryan Carlon
Net Division
Bryan Carlon, 74-75—149
Kenneth Paul Jr., 75-75—150
Brian Freymueller, 73-78—151
Winning the Senior Division-Gross was Gary Carpendale with a two-day total of 84-74—158. Carpendale had signed his scorecard and left before finding out he was the division winner.
“I just assumed I had no chance,” he said. “The 84 (his opening round score) was probably the worst score I’ve shot in an SNGA event and I figured I’d have to shoot a 69 to have any chance. I just kept grinding and made a few birdies and a few more putts.”
Senior Division-Gross
Gary Carpendale, 84-74-158
Joe Rada, 78-81—159
Tim Dugan, 76-83—159
The Senior Division-Net crown went to Jimmy Clark with 75-71—146, the third time Clark has been in the winner’s circle.
“When I play in these events I just try to keep the ball in play and not have to take any penalty strokes,” he said. “I try to play conservative and don’t try to push it.”
Jimmy Clark
Senior Division-Net
Jimmy Clark, 75-71-146
Don Blanton, 74-73—147
Randy Burton, 76-71—147
In the Silver Division-Gross, Frank Abbott cruised to a six-shot victory, carding rounds of 71-76—147. Note: the Silver Division is the former Super Senior division.
“I played really good (Saturday) and most of the day (Sunday),” Abbott said. “I made a couple of early bogeys but after 11 holes I got it back to even par. I had a big lead by that point. I did have three three-putts in four holes, but the shots into the greens were good and aggressive.”
Frank Abbott
Silver Division-Gross
Frank Abbott, 71-76—147
Kevin Parrish, 75-78—153
Jeffrey English, 76-82—158
The Silver Division-Net winner was John Kelley, using short-game prowess to post a one-shot victory.
“I hit a lot of good chips and putts,” Kelly said. “I struggled with my driver. I did keep it in play, but I didn’t hit it solid. It was all about the short game. I got it up and down several times. It just all fell into place.”
Championship flight
Silver Division Net
