Mesquite Nev.–Josh Goldstein gives new meaning to overcoming adversity to win a golf tournament. Goldstein’s car was rear-ended in an accident six weeks ago. After undergoing rehab for a back injury, he wound up in the winner’s circle in the Championship Division at the SNGA’s 2017 Virgin Valley Amateur. Goldstein eagled the first playoff hole to beat Min Hao Feng. The other division winners included: George Yocum, Frank Acker, James Corey, Cyrus Whitney and Les Eastman. — By Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.
The two-day event was held in Mesquite on Nov. 18-19, 2017, at Falcon Ridge Golf Club (Saturday) and Wolf Creek (Sunday).
Championship
Goldstein, who designs solar panels for Tesla, has been competitive in 2017 SNGA events but this is his first foray into the winner’s circle.
“I’ve been in the top five a lot, but it’s certainly nice to win,” he said.
He just wasn’t sure this would be the week to post that first victory. “After the accident I had a lot of physical therapy and I’ve only been practicing seriously for about two weeks since the accident,” he said. “But I was able to play two solid rounds.”
That included an eagle in the playoff for the victory. “I hit it to about six feet with a six iron and made the putt,” he said. “It was certainly a great way to finish.”
His putting was solid all weekend. “I took a putting lesson two weeks ago and I really putted well both days,” he said. “I made a lot of four and five footers that kept both rounds going.”
Championship
x-Josh Goldstein, 74-72—146
Min Hao Feng, 78-68—146
Ryan Bolton, 75-74—149
x-won on first playoff hole
Net
For George Yocum, winning was a simple formula.
“My bad shots weren’t too bad and my good shots made up for those bad shots,” he said of his nine-stroke win over Hugh Manning. “The key for me was also my putting. I actually started to practice my putting recently and it was by far the best part of my game this weekend. It obviously made a huge difference.”
It was his first SNGA win in seven years. But, even with a big lead, he was never complacent.
“With my handicap, I’m always scared,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy win. I wish that my game was good enough that once I got the lead I wasn’t worried but that’s just not the case.”
Net
George Yocum, 67-71—138
Hugh Manning, 71-76—147
John Hawk, 88-69—157
Senior
Frank Acker rode back-to-back eagles during the first round to a four-stroke win over Todd Roberts in the Senior Division.
“I holed out from the fairway on a par-4 (the 15th) for eagle and then made an eagle putt on the next hole, a par-5 (the 16th),” he said. “That’s a first for me.”
He also had five birdies to go along with the two eagles on the first day to help the cause.
“I actually hit the ball much better (Sunday) than (Saturday),” he said. “But I made a lot of putts the first day. (Sunday), I just didn’t make any putts and just tried to survive.”
The second day he had three birdies and a triple bogey for an even-par 72.
“I do like the two-day events better,” he said despite the fact he has multiple one-day event victories in 2017. “I was just working too much to play in the two-day events earlier in the year. This is just my third two-day event but these are much better because you get the chance to think about the round overnight and what you did in the first round and what’s coming up next.”
Senior
Frank Acker, 66-72—138
Todd Roberts, 68-74—142
Chris Whatley, 80-76—156
Senior Net
James Corey rallied in the second round to post a two-stroke victory in the Senior Net Division. Corey opened with a three-over-par 75, but a three-under-par 69 in the second round helped him post the victory.
Corey had 11 net birdies over the two days to offset a pair of triple bogeys during the first round.
“The first day I had two incredible holes where I didn’t do any good thinking at all, especially since they were both on par 5s,” he said of the two triple bogeys. “But I overcame them and didn’t throw in the towel.”
He said his driving and putting helped him steady the ship. “I hit the ball well off the tee and made a lot of great putts,” he said. “But the first day it was just survival. (Sunday) was pretty solid and everything turned out well.”
Senior Net
James Corey, 75-69—144
Jim O’Hare, 71-75—146
Kenneth Paul Jr., 80-82—162
Silver
Cyrus Whitney recently turned 60 and celebrated with a four-stroke victory in the Silver Division.
“I did win a few Senior events but this is my first Silver win,” he said. “I’m usually pretty good at driving the ball and kept it in play. Both courses were a little on the short side so you really had to pick your lines well. I did manage to make a couple of birdies and a couple of good par saves.”
He finished with a bang. “I made a birdie on the last hole and that always makes you feel better,” he said.
Silver
Cyrus Whitney, 70-77—147
Kevin Parrish, 74-77—151
Bruce Swanson, 72-80—152
Silver Net
Les Eastman opened with a six-under-par 66 and went on to post a two-stroke victory over John Kelley in the Silver Division Net.
Eastman had an even-par 72 during the second round.
“The second course (Wolf Creek) was pretty tough,” Eastman said. “I got lucky on a few shots and managed to hold on to win.”
Silver Net
Les Eastman, 66-72—138
John Kelley, 67-73—140
Gary Franzen, 74-78—152
