There is a major streak happening in Las Vegas golf and Gary Carpendale is the author of it. After firing rounds of 68-67 to finish at 9-under par at Las Vegas Golf Club, Carpendale has won the prestigious Las Vegas City Senior Amateur four times in a row from 2013-16. In 2012, Carpendale lost in a playoff to Steve Fink or he would have a complete handful of trophies from one of Las Vegas golf’s most historic tournaments.
Peter Dunlap finished second by one shot while John Turk was third, three shots behind Carpendale.
“I think that is what stands out to me after this most recent win is that I have won it several times in a row against some very good players,” Carpendale said. “It’s great to play in SNGA tournaments and against such great players.”
Carpendale, the 2013 and 2015 SNGA Senior Player of the Year, withstood late charges by both Dunlap and Turk to earn the win.
“I was pretty consistent all weekend and I hit a lot of greens and fairways,” Carpendale said. “I also made some putts, especially in the final round, and that was important because I had to make some birdies on the back nine because Peter and John were playing well and pushing me.”
Carpendale, 57, not only has had success locally but nationally and internationally as well. He has qualified for the last two British Senior Amateur events and has also qualified twice for the U.S. Senior Amateur. This year he lost by a single shot to Brady Exber in the qualifier for the U.S. Senior Am.
In the Super Senior division, another previous winner of SNGA player of the year honors, Frank Abbott, was victorious. Abbott shot rounds of 68-70—138 to win going away by five shots over Steve Johnson who finished in second alone with rounds of 77-66—143.
Johnson’s tournament low round of 66 in the final round did make things a little more interesting. Jeffrey English and John Corbin tied for third at one-over par. Abbott made nine birdies during the two rounds en route to the victory and was never truly threatended.
