Morrison, Cookson, Sarno, Romua Earn 2023 LV City Senior Am Titles
Rich Morrison (Senior) and Chris Cookson (Silver) won gross titles at the 2023 Las Vegas Senior City Amateur. Freddie Sarno (Senior) and Rene Romua (Silver) captured net titles in the tournament held Oct. 26-27, 2023, at Las Vegas GC. This was the SNGA’s third major of the year and it was held during the 2nd Annual Las Vegas City Am Week. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Senior
Rich Morrison was the only Senior player to break par over the two days and rode an early-round eagle the final day to a one-stroke victory.
Morrison eagled his fourth hole of the day in the finale in posting a one-under-par 71 to earn his third Las Vegas City Senior Am. He also won in 2004 and 2008. In addition he won the gross title in the Silver Division of the 2019 Nevada State Senior Championship.
“I was really surprised,” Morrison said. “I played with Kelly Knievel and he was playing so good. If some putts had dropped for him he would have won going away. It was just tough to make putts out here.”
Morrison said his eagle really helped his game but it was the 17th hole of the day (hole No. 8 as they started on the back nine) that made the difference.
“I had to hit a 3-wood into the green on the par-4,” he said. “I had about 205 yards left and hit it to about 15 feet. I made an easy par and that wound up being huge.”
He made the trip to Vegas with a couple of friends who also played in the tournament.
“I was just texting a friend who also played,” he said. “I’m 70 years old so the golf game definitely comes and goes. We said this might be the last time we play the Senior Division. We might play the Silver Division next year.”
Well, maybe.
“On the other hand, I may have to try and defend my Senior title,” he said with a laugh.
Senior
Rich Morrison, 75-71—146
Kelly Knievel, 75-72—147
Robert Futrell, 74-74—148
Senior Net
Freddie Sarno won for the first time since the Tournament of Champions in 2021.
Sarno had five birdies (two natural and three net) over a six-hole stretch in the first round and a net eagle in his second round to highlight his win.
He said it’s good to be back in the winner’s circle.
“It feels amazing,” Sarno said. “I’ve had my chances in these majors. I’ve had a five-shot lead and three-shot leads. It’s tough to sleep on leads. My mind runs away from me.”
This time was different.
“I didn’t look at the standings after the first round,” he said. “Even though I knew I was in contention, I just looked up my tee time and that was it. It helped.”
He said the two days came down to one thing: Consistency.
“I drove the ball basically straight for the two days,” he said. “I just played steady and kept my wits about me.”
Now he’s looking for more.
“This win certainly gives me confidence,” he said. “I feel like I’m a threat to win every time I enter. I tend to make mistakes but I’m making less mistakes than in the past and this week validates that I can win.”
Senior Net
Freddie Sarno, 70-71—141
Teklit Gebrai, 72-73—145
Greg Pyszko, 75-71—146
Silver
Chris Cookson may just have to start calling Las Vegas Golf Club home.
Cookson, who splits time between Henderson and Wyoming, won the Silver Division by four strokes.
It was his second SNGA win and both have come at Las Vegas Golf Club.
“I’ve lived here for 30 years and played this course 10 or 12 times,” he said. “I always enjoy it. The comfort level is there and the sightlines off the tees work for me.”
Cookson started the tournament even-par through his first five holes before playing the final 31 holes in eight-under-par with eight birdies and no bogeys.
“The last two days were very good,” he said. “I drove the ball really well and my iron game was solid.”
He added his recent play is no accident.
“I’ve been playing well for the last four or five months,” he said. “I started working with a new teacher in January and it’s taken about four months but now it’s clicking.”
That instructor is Craig Barlow at Lake Las Vegas and Cookson said the two work well together.
“We get along great,” Cookson said. “Craig played on the PGA Tour and I played on the European Tour (he has since gotten his amateur status back) so we have a good connection.”
Silver
Chris Cookson, 68-68—136
David Foggia, 69-71—140
John Turk, 69-71—140
Silver Net
Rene Romua had a net eagle, three net birdies and three natural birdies during the final round to win the Silver Net title by four strokes.
It was Romua’s first SNGA title.
“The past two weeks I’ve been practicing a lot and really trying to prepare,” he said.
He said he thought any chance of winning went away on the 17th hole of the first round.
“I thought I hit a good drive but I wound up with a lost ball,” he said. “But I recovered today.”
He said his overall play the final round was solid.
“I hit a lot of fairways with my driver and my putting helped me a lot,” he said. “I just really enjoyed the day and tried to hit as many good shots as I could.”
Silver Net
Rene Romua, 70-65—135
Jimmy Bradley, 73-66—139
Mark Hansen, 75-68—143
