Gibbs Wins 2016 SNGA Tour Championship at Bear’s Best
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference, especially in a golf tournament. Just ask Brigham Gibbs. Gibbs labored with his putting at the 2016 SNGA Tour Championship which was held at Bear’s Best Las Vegas on Dec. 1. But it was a pair of putts on the final two holes that made all the difference as he came away with a victory in the tournament’s Championship Flight. — By Bill Bowman
Gibbs won the Championship Flight with a two-over-par 74, mixing in two birdies with four bogeys. He admitted it wasn’t his best round, but it got the job done. “It was a round that should have been much better,” he said. “A 74 isn’t the greatest score for a victory, but I’ll take it.”
His victory all came down to a couple of crucial putts, and they weren’t even for birdies.
“I hit it pretty solid all day,” he said. “I made about three bad swings but I missed a ton of putts. But, I made two great putts on 17 and 18, one for par and one for bogey, so making those two putts was huge.”
Second was Gilberto Herrera with a 76 while Andrew Rodriguez was third with a 77. Tied for fourth were Alex Jordan and Christian LeCates with 78s.
Bruce Swanson, playing in the Super Senior division, showed the youngsters he’s still got plenty of game. Swanson, who will turn 69 in a couple of months, carded a one-over-par 73 to post the tournament’s best round of the day.
“It was a very good round,” Swanson said. “I hit 13 greens in regulation and putted well. I played smart golf. I just enjoy coming out here and competing.”
Swanson won the Super Senior division by six strokes over John Kelley, who had a 79. Third was Richard Southwick with an 81.
The Net Division saw Todd Kirby win with a net 72. Second went to Shawn T. Smith with a 73 while Kenneth Paul, Jr. finished third with a 76.
“It was awesome,” Kirby said. “I usually have problems in tournaments in that I play my worst rounds so I just tried to make the round like a practice round.”
He said the key to the round was two-fold: “I didn’t have any penalties with my driver, which is always a plus, and my putting was really good,” he said.
James Hill won a scorecard playoff over John Turk for the Senior Division championship. Both had 3-over-par 75s. Jim O’Hare was third with a 77.
Nicklaus’ design at Bear’s Best, one of his more than 350 designs worldwide, replicates 18 of his best golf holes from around the west. There are holes from Castle Pines in Colorado, Cabo del Sol in Mexico, Old Works in Anaconda, Mont., Desert Mountain in Arizona along with so many more. It’s the chance to check out some of Jack’s favorites all in one dramatic layout.
Championship
Brigham Gibbs, Las Vegas, Nev. – 37-37–74
Gilberto Herrera, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-35–76
Andrew Rodriguez, Las Vegas, Nev. – 39-38–77
Alex Jordan, Las Vegas, Nevada – 41-37–78
Christian LeCates, N Las Vegas, Nevada – 38-40–78
Matthew Meyer, Henderson, Nev. – 43-39–82
Senior
James Hill, Las Vegas, Nev. – 39-36–75
John Turk, Las Vegas, Nev. – 37-38–75
Jim O’Hare, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-36–77
Steve Paulsen, Las Vegas, Nv. – 40-41–81
Emet Ledezma, Las Vegas, Nev. – 45-39–84
Michael Campbell, Las Vegas, Nev. – 49-37–86
Harry Sims, North Las Vegas, Nev. – 47-42–89
Super Senior
Bruce Swanson, Laughlin, Nev. – 38-35–73
John Kelley, Henderson, Nevada – 41-38–79
Richard Southwick, Henderson, Nev. – 39-42–81
Ralph Durgin, Henderson, Nev. – 41-45–86
Reese P Jarrell, Las Vegas, Nev. – 45-45–90
Net
Todd Kirby, Las Vegas, Nev. – 36-36–72
Shawn T Smith, Las Vegas, Nev. – 36-37–73
Kenneth Paul,Jr., Henderson, Nev. – 39-37–76
Bryan Carlon, Las Vegas, Nev. – 41-38–79
Jeffrey Gilliame, North Las Vegas, Nev. – 35-44–79
Billy Kraus, Las Vegas, Nev. – 40-41–81
Todd McDevitt, Henderson, Nev. – 43-40–83
CLICK HERE for Pairings, Full Tournament Results and Course Statistics.
CLICK HERE for updated Points Race Information.
CLICK HERE for information on the SNGA Championship at Cascata Golf Club on December 17 & 18.
The Southern Nevada Golf Association would like to thank Bear’s Best Las Vegas for hosting this event. We would also like to thank our sponsor, Las Vegas Golf & Tennis, for supporting the Association with all that we do.
