Laperriere, Sarno, Carpendale, Richardson Win 2024 Las Vegas Senior City Amateur Titles
Daniel Laperriere (Senior) and Freddie Sarno (Silver) won titles in the 2024 Las Vegas Senior City Amateur. Gary Carpendale (Senior) and Tom Richardson (Silver) won net titles in the tournament held June 6-7, 2024, at Las Vegas Golf Club. It was part of the 3rd Annual Las Vegas City Am Week. The tournament is the SNGA’s second major of the year.—Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Senior
Daniel Laperriere played his final nine holes in two-under-par to rally to win the Senior title.
Laperriere bogeyed his final three holes of his first nine in the final round before turning it around on his back nine with three birdies and a bogey.
It was Laperriere’s first victory in SNGA play.
He said the win, especially in a major, is exciting.
“Because of my schedule I don’t get to play a lot in the winter,” he said. “Now that my schedule allows it and it’s close enough to where I live…here we are.”
Laperriere is a pro scout for the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and spends his winter months checking out the talent.
“I travel a lot in the winter,” he said of his work as he covers the West for Colorado. “I go to about 18 to 22 games a month.”
But now he’s got a little free time and golf is front and center.
“The first day my driver put me in position and my putting was pretty good,” he said. “I played patient and stayed away from big numbers. I missed a couple of putts when I wasn’t paying attention and that’s one of the things I want to work on.”
One of the other items on his list to work on is one that shows up on many players’ list.
“I can always get better with my short game,” he said. “I want to give myself more stress-free pars when I miss a green.”
He added that a victory wasn’t on his radar teeing off in the event.
“I wasn’t thinking about winning the tournament,” he said. “My goal was to play as good as possible and see where that leads.”
Senior
Daniel Laperriere, 69-71—140
Todd Roberts, 72-69—141
Chris Whatley, 70-71—141
Senior Net
Freddie Sarno put seven birdies on the scorecard and just one bogey in the first round (two natural and five net) as he repeated as the tournament’s Senior Net champion.
“To repeat is just great,” Sarno said. “I had knee replacement surgery last December and I’m just finding my way back.”
Sarno said winning any tournament is great but earning a major trophy is one step better.
“These tournaments mean a little more,” he said. “You know who the main competitors are and to win a major and have one of these beautiful trophies in your house means a lot.”
Sarno’s opening round set the stage for his win.
“I shot a 74, net 66, which is probably my lowest round in two or three years,” he said. “I putted very well and didn’t have any double bogeys. I knew if I played halfway decent (the second round) I had a good chance of winning. I didn’t have the best round but I hung in there.”
Now, he’s looking forward to bigger and better efforts going forward.
“I didn’t know where my game was coming in to this week,” he said. “I knew I was trending positive and this validates all the work. This elevates my confidence and I’m happy with that.”
Senior Net
Freddie Sarno, 66-71—137
Brian Freymueller, 70-68—138
Paul Matthews, 71-72—143
Silver
Gary Carpendale went on a birdie barrage over the two days in winning the Silver crown.
Carpendale put 11 birdies on his scorecard over the two days in winning the title by seven strokes.
Carpendale, playing for the first time since having both knees replaced late in 2023, said it was nice to be back in the winner’s circle.
“I’ve been struggling with practice rounds or just playing at all,” he said. “I was stiff, can’t hit it and I lost 10 miles an hour on my swing speed.”
But then came Thursday’s first round.
“I showed up and my body almost felt normal,” he said. “I was on the range and wondering where all the stiffness went.”
Carpendale said the win was great but it was the fact it was a major that makes it a little more special.
“I love the city am,” he said. “That’s what we play for is the majors. It makes it a little more special when you can win one of these. And the city is the tournament of the year for me.”
Overall, he’s now won 21 majors.
“The majors get me real excited,” he said. “And because it’s the first tournament I’ve played with these new knees, it’s given my confidence a boost.”
Silver
Gary Carpendale, 68-67—135
Mark Williams, 72-70—142
John Steele, 69-74—143
Silver Net
Tom Richardson played a six-hole stretch in six-under-par during the first round, using a net eagle and four net birdies, en route to a four-shot win.
“It was so hot I was just trying to survive,” the 76-year-old Richardson said.
It was his third city am title.
“I won when I was 66 or 67, then I won when I was 70 and now when I’m 76,” he said.
This one was very unexpected.
“I’m very much in shock and excited,” he said. “I didn’t know I could do that anymore.”
He fractured a shoulder a few years ago and has had to adjust his game.
“I lost about 20 yards a shot,” he said. “That’s made me play position golf. If I can’t reach a par-4 (in two), I just try to put it in front of the green and try to get it up and down.”
Being back in the winner’s circle left him wondering where these two days of good ball-striking came from.
“Yesterday and today, both days, I hit the ball well but I have no idea how or why,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking about anything. I just got up and hit the ball and just survived.”
He added that the victory coming in a major makes it a little sweeter.
“This is my home course and to win a major here is special,” he said. “I’m just proud of myself. I wanted to give myself another chance and I shocked myself. I didn’t know I could do that anymore.”
Silver Net
Tom Richardson, 67-70—137
Jimmy Bradley, 74-67—141
Gregory Ladner, 66-76—142
