President’s Message 2023 – Continued Growth, Managed Expectations

According to Kenny Ebalo, returning SNGA president and a former SNGA championship division player of the year, the SNGA is in a good place and should continue to be as we head into 2023. Growth in all aspects of the organization highlighted 2022 and will continue into 2023, while educating golfers on what to expect will also be an SNGA mission. –By Brian Hurlburt, founder, LasVegasGolfInsider.com

“We did a lot of things in 2022 and added in all aspects of what the SNGA is trying to do,” Ebalo says. “We added member benefits with the introduction of the app, a new website, new events and divisions, plus we were able to add some staff benefits by getting a company van for the first time in SNGA history. Last year was a really big year of growth for the SNGA and that was very rewarding.”

Now as the calendar turns, a new golf canvas is upon us. Ebalo says a seasoned staff and volunteer board should keep things humming along nicely.

“We have been very fortunate the last few years to get a lot of things done, and with the recent election of the board, a lot of the same people are returning, so the same mindset should be expected for the next two years,” Ebalo says. “The staff also looks very similar, so we have a really good working model right now. We are looking forward to continue growing and improving as we go.”

Ebalo is also quick to caution golfers to temper expectations in several ways as the Southern Nevada golf industry continues to evolve. Things will look—and be–different in 2023 and beyond.

“The first thing I think about for 2023 is where golf is headed in the valley,” Ebalo says. “There are some water restrictions coming and that means courses will probably look different than they have in the past, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Limited overseeding and other water conservation means dormant conditions and different conditions, and that is going to look new and different to a lot of people who have been here for a long time. However, this is not uncommon in many other areas of the country, so golfers will just need to manage their expectations.

“Also, golf’s increasing popularity has created some issues in being able to play and busier courses, so don’t be surprised that there are more golfers and more members at your local golf courses. It is important to educate golfers about all of this and what is to be expected. And that is the same thing on our side too. We are going to be adding more social events to add more members. Golf just seems to keep growing and we are going to be part of that.”