Horodesky, Corey, Cookson, Berton, Freymueller, Chamberlain Earn 2024 Boulder City Am Titles
Greg Horodesky (Championship), James Corey (Senior) and Chris Cookson (Silver) won gross titles at the 2024 Boulder City Amateur. Jason Berton (Net), Brian Freymueller (Senior) and Bruce Chamberlain (Silver) captured net titles in the tournament held April 13-14, 2024, at Boulder City Golf Club–by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Championship
Greg Horodesky played the final five holes during the final round in two-under-par to force a playoff which he won on the first playoff hole with a birdie.
It was Horodesky’s first win of 2024 after winning twice in 2023 and once in 2022.
Horodesky started the final round with 10 straight pars before putting a birdie on the scorecard on the 11th. He followed that up with back-to-back bogeys before finishing up with his two-under-par run.
“I finally had some good golf go my way,” he said. “I had some good looks at birdies but I’ve been struggling with my putting and was happy to make pars.”
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he said of the playoff with Kamden Ganir. “I had three-putted the first hole for par both days. This time I had a four-footer for birdie and told myself I eventually have to make one and I hit it dead-center.”
He said getting back into the winner’s circle is nice as his priorities are shifting.
“It’s a juggling act to get out here,” he said. “My son’s golf career is taking off and coordinating time between running a small business, family life and his golf it’s a challenge. I take the time when I can and try to make the most of it.”
Championship
x-Greg Horodesky, 70-71—141
Kamden Ganir, 73-68—141
Andrew Hawk, 72-71—143
x-Won on first playoff hole
Net
Jason Berton played the final two holes of the second round in three-under-par (net eagle and net birdie) to rally for the Net Division title.
It was Berton’s first title of 2024 after winning twice early in the 2023 season.
“It was a roller coaster round but in the end I got a good result,” he said.
And that included a net eagle on the 17th.
“I hit a five-iron to about five feet (for his third shot) and, luckily, made the putt,” he said.
He added the latest victory was a long-time coming…but he had a good excuse.
“We had a baby after the Golf Summerlin event last year so being a dad came first,” he said. “The golf game didn’t get the reps it needed.”
He had to battle back after a disastrous 10 on the sixth hole.
“The round started off good until the 10 on the sixth hole when I put two into the houses,” he said.
But even that moment had a positive impact.
“After I putted out for a 10, Jeff Canarelli said I can’t wait to see you fight back and attack the rest of the course,” he said. “That really helped me finish the best I could.”
Net
Jason Berton, 74-71—145
Tad Barger, 76-72—148
Jeffrey Canarelli, 74-74—148
Senior
James Corey parred the final three holes to hold on for a two-stroke victory in the Senior Division.
It was Corey’s first victory since he won twice in the 2022 season.
Corey, who had three straight bogeys, on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes, said the pars were a welcome sight.
“I had those three bad holes in a row but managed to keep it together,” Corey said. “I haven’t been finishing well over the last four or five holes in tournaments but did today.”
He also gave credit to his wife.
“I’ve been sick for the last 18 or so days with whatever issues,” he said. “So my wife said I’m probably going to play better being more relaxed with no pressure.”
The results: The victory.
“I sent her a photo,” he said with a laugh. “She said ‘I knew it.’ ”
He said overall, it was a solid two days.
“I putted well and hit irons really well,” he said. “I had a lot of putts at birdie. I didn’t make them all but I stayed in the game. With the wind, I didn’t need birdies…I just needed to make pars.”
Senior
James Corey, 73-76—149
Chris Whatley, 77-74—151
Rick Sepp, 77-75—152
Senior Net
Brian Freymueller birdied two of the final three holes en route to a two-stroke victory in the Senior Net Division.
It was Freymueller’s first victory in 2024 after winning twice in 2023.
“Those birdies on two of the last three holes were great,” he said. “They got me back on track.”
He said both days were adventurous.
“Saturday, I started out and had a great front nine and had to hang on,” he said. “Today I struggled on the front nine and then played well on the back.”
He said it’s his typical golf outing.
“Sometimes you can’t hit the broad side of a barn and sometimes you can’t miss,” he said. “I just needed to keep my head in the game.”
He added the 10th hole on Sunday was the turning point.
“I made about a 20-footer for birdie to stop the bleeding from the front nine,” he said. “It clicked in my head that I’m not out of it…I just needed to play like I knew I could play and avoid the big numbers.”
Senior Net
Brian Freymueller, 72-75—147
Steven Fink, 77-77—154
Glenn Hogle, 77-80—157
Silver
Chris Cookson won for the third time in 2024, posting a seven-shot victory in the Silver Division.
Cookson also won the SNGA Tour stop at Highland Falls and the SNGA Championship.
He said the game is definitely in a good spot.
“I’m very pleased,” he said. “I’ve put in a lot of work and my game is solid. I shot a 73 yesterday but was still pleased with the way I played. I stayed calm today.”
He added his on-the-course game isn’t the only part he’s concentrating on.
“I’m working hard on the mental side,” he said. “It’s helping me get ready for these tournaments and now tournaments in Wyoming through October.”
The Cookson family is set to head to Wyoming for the summer months.
“A couple of guys commented…’We’re glad you’re leaving,’ ” he said with a laugh. “It’s all in good fun.”
Silver
Chris Cookson, 73-69—142
David Foggia, 78-71—149
John Turk, 75-80—155
Silver Net
Bruce Chamberlain birdied four of his first six holes Sunday (two net and two natural) and won the Silver Net title in a scorecard playoff.
It was Chamberlain’s first win since last summer.
“I definitely had a good start today,” he said. “And those holes tend to play tough when you’re starting out and to play them that well was awesome.”
He said the putter carried him for the two days.
“Putting was actually the difference,” he said. “I relied on that. I made my share of 10 footers and that’s always a good thing. The greens were really, really good and even though we had some gusty conditions, I’m really happy with the two days I played.”
Overall, he added it’s nice to get back into the winner’s circle.
“And I got to punch my ticket to the Tournament of Champions for next year so that is great,” he said.
Silver Net
x-Bruce Chamberlain, 73-74—147
David Kim, 72-75—147
Loren Little, 72-78—150
x-Won in scorecard playoff
