New Leader to Continue Evolution of Southern Nevada Junior Golf
Renee Rocco came to Southern Nevada as part of the P.J. Boatwright United States Golf Association internship program for the Southern Nevada Golf Association. In a short year, she has proven her value to SNGA leaders and is now being given more responsibility as she begins her role as Junior Golf Operations Manager for the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association (SNJGA) June 1.
The Boatwright internship program is designed to give experience to qualified and ambitious individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry level basis. Many interns move on to full-time roles once the internship is completed.
Rocco will oversee and manage the day to day activities of the junior golf association and will focus on growing membership, promoting the Youth on Course program that allows golfers to play area courses for as low as $5 and creating and managing the competitive tournament schedule, among other duties.
Rocco played golf growing up in the New York area and is thrilled to now be in Las Vegas where there is sunshine 300+ days per and to be a part of the historic SNJGA, which was founded in the early 1970s.
“I am looking forward to growing the game of golf for juniors in the greater Las Vegas area,” Rocco says. “Golf is such a unique sport in that it teaches you so many lessons that can be carried on into so many different aspects of your life. I’m hoping to be able to provide the opportunities to kids through programs, instruction, tournaments and other outlets to gain experiences and these life lessons. I am hoping to work with the board of directors, parents and kids to ensure the SNJGA continues to evolve and keeps on pace to be as strong as ever and build on the great history of the program. Also, I hope to keep kids involved with the game and that their involvement will eventually lead them to receive college scholarships and hopefully even play in college. The SNJGA has had some great players come out of the program that have gone on to play at Division 1 and other college levels and win state high school titles. We need to do a better job at letting people know that so one of my goals is to be more active in getting that news out to the community.”
Rocco’s Goals
- Grow the membership
- Create and nurture strong ties with local professionals and the courses in the area
- Create and hold strong fundraisers that raise money to continue programs
- Promote Youth on Course
- Create more awareness for SNJGA success stories
Rocco takes over for Nicole Dutt-Roberts, a former SNJGA alumnus and respected Las Vegas teaching professional who was helping to oversee the SNJGA, but not in as full time of a manner as Rocco will now devote. Dutt-Roberts will remain supportive in the near future and beyond.
“I will do what I can to assist during the transition and I think Renee will do a wonderful job and the SNJGA is in good hands,” Dutt-Roberts says. “I will also stay involved doing the things that I truly enjoy such as working with the kids and holding camps in at-risk areas and other projects. Also, Kerri (another SNJGA alumnus and teaching professional) and I will still co-captain the Girls Americas Cup team and stay involved with the Mary Cave Cup.”
Rocco looks forward to the new adventure and says her experience with the SNGA will prove invaluable.
“I moved out to Las Vegas a year ago for the USGA Boatwright Internship and have been learning so much about the SNGA, golf in Las Vegas and a lot more about tournament and golf administration than I ever knew,” Rocco says. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work at tournaments with SNGA and I’ve been very fortunate to work with such a good group of people at the SNGA and in the community. I love to play golf and I’m always working on improving my game. I’m hoping to be able to play in some competitive tournaments and get a feel for what it’s like on the player side. Although it’s only been a year, I’ve met some great people in the industry, but especially some great players through SNGA tournaments and it’s been a fun time just getting to know people through the game.”
Complete information about Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association and how you can help or register a child is available at SouthernNevadaJuniorGolf.com. Donations are always welcome.
