Lazarski, Gilliame Win 2023 Las Vegas City Amateur TItles
Avery Lazarski (Championship) and Jeffrey Gilliame (Net) won titles in the 2023 Las Vegas City Amateur. The tournament, the third major of the year in SNGA play, was held Oct. 28-29, 2023, at Las Vegas Golf Club. The event was the culmination of the Second Annual Las Vegas City Am Week presented by the Southern Nevada Golf Association. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Championship
Avery Lazarski had an eagle on his front nine in each round as he went on to post a four-stroke victory in the Championship Division.
For the two days, Lazarski had the two eagles to go along with 12 birdies in getting to 11-under-par.
It was the first SNGA win for Lazarski who is a recent Bishop Gorman graduate and is now a freshman at St. Mary’s College in California.
“I hit my driver well and putted well,” Lazarski said. “Those are the two most important parts of golf in my opinion and they really paid off this weekend.”
He said his early days in college golf prepared him for this weekend.
“My first month or so in college was a little rough on my golf game,” he said. “But I put my head down and practiced a lot and I’ve matured a lot. My teammates motivated me and that’s really helped my game.”
He said this weekend showed that work is paying off.
“There are always going to be ups and downs,” he said. “But I stayed focused and really just concentrated on the shot I was hitting and nothing else.”
Now, it’s back to work.
“When I get back to school, it will be back to practicing and the range,” he said. “I still have a lot of work to do. I really want to work on my wedge game inside 100 yards and get my proximity to the hole closer.”
He added his days in the SNJGA have also paved the way to his early success.
“That was a fun journey,” he said. “I got to do a lot of traveling and learn more about my game on different courses. It made me a much better golfer and made me more comfortable on the golf course.”
Championship
Avery Lazarski, 66-67—133
Josh Goldstein, 68-69—137
Jonathan Minkoff, 68-70—138
Michael Sarro, 66-72—138
Net
Jeffrey Gilliame also started off the tournament quickly, going four-under-par through his first six holes of the event, and held on for a two-stroke victory.
It was Gilliame’s first individual title since 2018. He did team up with Gordon Schiring to win the Senior Division of the 2022 SNGA Tour Four-Ball Championship.
Gilliame said his hot start help him survive a tough second day that featured wind and cold weather.
“It’s tough out there when you’re battling the weather,” he said. “It was definitely tougher than (Saturday). When you get to my age you don’t move so well in the morning but I fought through it.”
He said his game and his health are coming together nicely.
“I’m finally over back and shoulder injuries and I’ve been able to play a bit more,” he said. “My driver is going well and I putted very well. Everything seemed to be working for me.”
He said his final few holes on the second day were the key as he was four-over-par through his first 10 holes.
“I had a good talk with myself after the 10th hole,” he said. “I didn’t want to let it slip away like last year. I just went after fairways and greens.”
He said while the victory was a long time in coming, it shows his perseverance paid off.
“I’ve been close but I just haven’t been able to put two days together until this week,” he said. “It’s my first major after playing in the SNGA for seven or eight years so I was really happy to be able to power through it.”
Net
Jeffrey Gilliame, 67-75—142
Trevor Coss, 70-74—144
JD Gonzales, 72-73—145
George Wolf, 71-74—145
