The SNGA Senior Championship was held at Highland Falls Golf Club on Septem-ber 11-12. Gary Carpendale won the Senior Gross division, Chris Jones won the Super Senior Gross division, Ed Stocklen won the Super Senior Net division and Lee Mott won the Senior Net division after a grueling three hole playoff. It was a reminiscent of an old west shootout; SNGA style…three men fighting for one trophy, each one wanting desperately to win. Two days of fierce competition (in beautiful weather), was not enough to determine this year’s SNGA Senior Championship Senior Net win-ner. Lee Mott, Richard Walsh and Rick Bergen had a mandatory three hole playoff to determine the win-ner. Lee Mott took home the trophy and the pride of knowing he outlasted the field after the playoff. Story continued on page 5.

2010 Issue Sept.

SNGA Senior Championship Highland Falls Golf Club September 11-12, 2010

In This Issue >>>

The Official Newsletter of the Southern Nevada Golf Association

1. SNGA Senior Championship 2. Harrahs Inc. 3. Misunderstood Rules 4. Congrats USGA Qualifiers 5. Body Balance for Performance 6. Pointe Hilton Resorts 7. Las Vegas Golf HOF 8. First Tee of Southern Nevada 9. MetLIfe Auto & Home® 10. What's on Tap?

The Grind

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PJ’s Super Section Information about Golf Course Maintenance from PJ McGuire, CGCS

Fall Overseeding

Well that time of year has come again when your Golf Course Superintendent basically makes a huge mess out of your golf course. Of course it is planned just when the weather is turning pleasant and the turf looks like it was finally recuperating after another long hot summer. Fall overseeding in the southwest desert is an expensive, high labor, brutal, and often stressful time for your maintenance staff. In Las Vegas this process sets up the golf course for the following 10 months of playing conditions, and it must be done right. Overseeding is the process of slowing or stopping the growth of warm season grass and planting a cool season grass that will grow and look dark green throughout the winter months. This process typically includes a chemical growth retardant applied to the Bermuda grass. A drying out of the golf course, followed with any variation of mechanical renovation and or thinning of the Bermuda grass to open the turf canopy to allow Rye grass to establish. The timing of the entire process is critical because it needs to be warm enough to establish Ryegrass from seed but not so hot that it is impossible to keep the new seed moist. Many years ago this was scheduled for the later part of September when the Superintendent could be assured of no more 100 plus degree days. However to answer the demand for more revenue and with the advent of better chemicals for suppressing the growth of the warm season turf we have shifted to earlier in the year. Many golf courses now start the last week of August so as to have the course open in September and playing on the cool sea-son turf sooner. Most golf courses once reopened from the overseed process will require carts to stay on the paths for a period of time to allow the new seedlings to take root before being subjected to 100’s of cart tires each day. While the overseed process is often difficult for the golfers it is just as difficult for the maintenance staff. This process will determine the golfing conditions until June of next year. So be patient, follow direction in regards to cart restrictions and throw your local course workers an “attaboy” when you see them. Many crews work 60-70 hour weeks for a solid month to make sure this years overseed is successful.

P.J. McGuire, CGCS

P.J. is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent with 24 years experience in Southern Nevada. He is a Past President of the SNGCSA and is the current President for the Nevada Golf Industry Alliance.

Misunderstood Rules by Mike Charrie

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SNGA Senior Championship (Continued from Page 1) On the scratch side of the Senior event, Gary Carpendale ran away from the rest of the field. He was the only player in the field who put up a gross score under par, not once, but twice. His impressive scores of 69 (-3) and 67 (-5) for a total of 136 (-8), blew away the field by an astounding twelve shots! In the Super Senior division, newcomer Chris Jones (153) was tied for the lead after the first day (77) with three other players. On day two he shot one stroke better (76) to win the event by two strokes over Ed Stocklen (155) and Bob Sterling (155). That wasn’t the only trick Mr. Stocklen had up his sleeve. He was the only player in the Super Senior Net division to post under par net scores each day (70, 71), which resulted in him posting the only under par two day total (141) to win by four strokes over Tom Khamis (145). Congratulations to all the winners! The SNGA would like to thank the professional staff at Highland Falls Golf Club as well as at the Tavern at the Falls. They were excellent in taking care of both the players and staff alike. This was the third event that SNGA held there in the last thirty days and The Highland Falls Staff did a first-rate job at each and every event. Thank you!

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Congratulations to the Southern Nevada USGA Championship Qualifiers The SNGA would like to take a minute to congratulate and spotlight a few of the local players who qualified to play in 2010 USGA events. Kevin Marsh, Kevin Noto, Doug Pool, Brady Exber, and Steve Fink have worked tirelessly on their game and it has shown this year by delivering them a berth into the field of USGA events.

Kevin Marsh and Kevin Noto qualified to play in the 2010 US Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton New York on September 25-30. Marsh, winner of the 2006 US Mid-Amateur Championship, is currently ranked 56th in the United States and 138th in the world according to Amateurgolf.com’s current rankings. Marsh is 107th and 246th on the current overall Player-of-the-Year points list. Kevin Noto qualified for this year’s championship by taking low medal honors at the Las Vegas Sectional Qualifier shooting a 3 under par 69. Noto is currently standing in 3rd place on the Amateurgolf.com’s Tournament Series Player-of-the-Year points list. Doug Pool qualified for the USGA Senior Amateur Championship being held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Or-lando Florida. Doug Pool qualified for the Senior Amateur at a sectional qualifier held at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa Ari-zona. Pool, multiple time USGA Championship participant, is currently in 7th place on Amateurgolf.com’s 2010 Senior Player-of-the-Year points list. He achieved his position by impressively finishing in the top 4 in 5 of the 6 events he partici-pated in this year with a victory in his last event and 3 third place finishes. The USGA State Team Championship, held this year at Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa California, consists of three players from every state in the union, as well as District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Brady Exber, multiple time USGA Event Qualifier and nine time SNGA Player of the Year, joined former U.S. Amateur competitor and multiple time SNGA tournament winner Steve Fink as qualifiers from the South that represented Nevada at the event. Exber is currently ranked 114th in the US and 269th in the World Amateur Rankings. Fink is in a deadlock race for this year’s SNGA Player of the Year.

Here at the SNGA, we are extremely proud of the accomplishments these gentlemen have made to be a part of the most prestigious Amateur events in the world, not only representing themselves, but representing their state and association as well. Their professionalism and dedication to the sport we all love truly shows us that with effort and sacrifice comes the spoils and rewards. We congratulate them on all of their past and future success and are glad to know that some of the best amateur golfers in the game reside right down the street from us. Congratulations and good luck.

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Lunges for Length It seems everyone who plays golf is looking for a few extra yards. More length off the tee can certainly get you in a better position to hit more greens and improve your opportunity to score. However, added length without accuracy and consistency is not an advantage. Therefore, if you want to improve distance and accuracy in your game, then perform-ing golf-specific exercises aimed at improving your body strength, balance and posture are very helpful. Two simple exercises you can try that integrate the benefits of improved hip and leg strength, balance and posture are called the “Forward Lunge” and “Lateral Lunge”. When performed properly, these exercises are very safe and you can see the desired results of improved length off the tee in a very short time. Forward Lunges The “Forward Lunge” is begun by placing a club behind your spine, pressing your lower back against the club as much as possible by firming your lower abdominal muscles and straightening your middle spine and then placing your right foot several feet in front of the left in a balanced, stride position. From this starting position, slowly lunge forward over the right foot keeping your proper club behind the spine posture (see picture #1). Hold this forward lunge position while maintaining your posture and balance for 3-5 seconds and then return to the standing position. Repeat the lunge on the right foot for 1-2 sets of 10 repetitions. Then, repeat the exercise in the same way with your left foot forward. Lateral Lunges The “Lateral Lunge” is, once again, started by placing the club behind your spine and firming your lower abdominal muscles to gain the proper connection of your spine to the shaft. Then, stand with your legs separated by several feet. Next, while keeping proper posture, balance and control, slowly lunge later-ally over your right hip, knee and foot making certain that you have your weight distributed over your right leg with your hip, knee and foot in a vertical plumb line (see picture #2). Hold this position for 3-5 seconds and return to the standing position. Repeat the lunge to the right for 1-2 sets of 10 repeti-tions. Then, repeat the exercise in the same way to the left. To find out more about Body Balance for Performance visit www.fitgolf.com or if you have any questions you may contact Arnel Gaspar at agaspar@fitgolf.com

*Package rates are based on double occupancy and inclusive of golf. Packages and Package rates are all based on availability. Please make your reservations within 5 days of arrivalby calling the phone number below and request Plan Code "P9". Please call 1-888-463-4931 to book your package and to reserve tee times. Package price is only available with avalid tee time reservation. Rate is based on the number of golfers in a suite. For one tee time per day, package must be booked with occupancy of one adult, two tee times per day,must be booked with occupancy of two adults. Package rate may be subject to change if additional tee times are required. Exclusive of tax and gratuity. Golf greens fees are basedon availability and are subject to change without notice. Guests receive one round of play for each night's stay. Please note that the golf course will be closed September 27 throughOctober 14, 2010 for course overseeding. Offer includes two Hilton Breakfast buffet certificates for each night's stay. One certificate is valid for one adult Hilton Breakfast buffet. Eachchild 5 years of age or younger will eat without charge when accompanied by a paid adult including adults utilizing the Hilton Breakfast buffet certificate. At the Pointe Hilton TapatioCliffs Resort breakfast certificate is redeemable at Pointe In Tyme restaurant and at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort breakfast certificate is redeemable at Hole-in-the-Wallrestaurant. Breakfast certificates have no cash value; gratuities are not included. Certificates not valid for room service breakfast, after departure or at another hotel. Offer cannot becombined with any other discounts and is not applicable to groups.

Stay & Play

Tee-up this year at the Pointe Hilton Resorts with our Stay and Play package. Yourpackage includes a one night stay, Hilton Breakfast for two, and one round of golfat either Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort or Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort.

October 13 - December 31, 2009 rates from $109/Night/Person*

March 1 - April 4, 2010 rates from $149/Night/Person*

May 21 - September 26, 2010 rates from $69/Night/Person*

October 15 - December 31, 2010 rates from $119/Night/Person*

September 27 - October 14, 2010 Overseeding - No Play.

April 5 - May 20, 2010 rates from $109/Night/Person*

January 1 - February 28, 2010 rates from $129/Night/Person*

For reservations please call 1-888-463-4931 or to reserve online at

TTaappaattiioo CClliiffffss RReessoorrtt cclliicckk hheerree and to reserve at SSqquuaaww PPeeaakk RReessoorrtt ccll iicckk hheerree..

*Package rates will vary based on single occupancy or double

occupancy. Packagerates are based on double occupancy per person.

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Desert Hawk Hole #9 Boulder Creek Golf Club

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thoughts... final

Las Vegas National Golf Club Site of the 2009 SNGA Season Opener

What’s on Tap >>>

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2625 N. Green Valley Pkwy. Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89014

702-458-4653 www.snga.org

“My body is here, but my mind has already teed off.” ~Author Unknown

2010 Las Vegas City Amateur The Las Vegas City Amateur returns to Las Vegas Golf Club this year on October 21-24, 2010. Traditionally the largest field in the SNGA Tournament Schedule, the City Am blends a local municipal style with a high class, competitive field to bring you one of the seasons best and most anticipated events. Visit the SNGA website at snga.org for event information and registration information. The deadline for entry is at 5:00PM on October 15th for Seniors and Super Seniors, and October 17th for Scratch and Net Competitors. We look forward to seeing you at the 2010 Las Vegas City Amateur, one of the oldest Amateur competitions in Nevada.

Club House of Las Vegas Golf ClubSite of the 2010 Las Vegas City Amateur