Khamis Love of Golf Helps Him Fulfill Various SNGA Roles

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.”