Las Vegas pros and tour golfers

Las Vegas, Nevada (U[pdatad November 13, 2012)--We're not officially certain, but we believe that when Natalie Gulbis and Nick Watney play in the same group of the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge on November 13 at Rio Secco Golf Club, it will be the first time Las Vegas residents have been paired together in the tournament. The Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge raises funds and awareness for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and pits three-player teams from the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, and Champions Tour against each other. Tickets are free and the public is invited.--By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (November 5, 2012)--Willy Wonka had the Golden Ticket, and according to Las Vegas Golf Region native and current resident Scott Piercy, PGA Tour players have their own version. Piercy has played well in 2012 and finished T2 at the HSBC Champions in China over the weekend. With the finish, Piercy solidified his standing among the Top 50 (41st) in the World Golf Rankings. "That Top‑50 number in the world is kind of a golden number, and I'm just really glad that my game is coming around and kind of where I think it should be," said Piercy. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 28, 2012)--Las Vegas Golf Region resident Nick Watney fired a final round 61 to win the CIMB Classic in Malaysia. Watney flirted with a 59 during the final round but his 10-under par 61 was good enough to hold off Robert Garrigus, Bo Van Pelt and Tiger Woods. Fellow Las Vegas Golf Region resident Scott Piercy fired a 62 in the final round to finish T10 ending a nice recovery following a first-round 75. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 15, 2012)--It got pretty quiet for Inbee Park for a few years following her break through victory at the 2008 U.S. Women's Open. Park, who won Nevada state championships playing for Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High School, was destined to be the LPGA Tour's next big star. By becoming the youngest champ in Open history--19 yrs, 11 months--she only added to the expectations. But she went several years before landing in the winner's circle again, which she has now done twice in 2012. Her most recent win, at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, also moved her up to fifth in the Rolex World Rankings. --By Brian Hurlburt, Follow @LVGolfInsider.

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 8, 2012)--REBEL WINS IN VEGAS! As news in the Las Vegas Golf Region, this is about as big as it gets. Ryan Moore became the first former UNLV Rebel to win the Las Vegas PGA Tour event. In the process he became the second Vegas resident in a row to earn the trophy of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Moore hit, as he described it, one of the best shots of his career on the reachable par 5, 16th hole. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 5, 2012)--Amazingly, after his round of 61 in the first round of the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Ryan Moore admitted that the round didn't feel all that special--at least in the early going. But his mind started to change when he almost dunked his approach on 18 (his 9th hole), and made the turn after posting a 7-under par 29. The 61 was the latest in a list of areas where everything is coming together for the Las Vegas Golf Region resident.--By Brian Hurlburt, Follow @LVGolfInsider. Photo: MartinPhotoGroup.com.

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 4, 2012)--It is believed that for the first time in Las Vegas golf history, three PGA Tour players with deep ties to Vegas were paired together in the hometown event. That was the case when Ryan Moore, Nick Watney, and Charley Hoffman stepped to the tee box at around 7:30 AM Las Vegas time. More history was made when Moore put together a round of 61, tieing the course record, and giving him the lead at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.--By Brian Hurlburt Follow @LVGolfInsider.

Las Vegas, Nevada (September 27, 2012)--Charley Hoffman and Ryan Moore both made the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs, and are two of the most accomplished PGA Tour pros in the history of the UNLV golf program. And this weekend they join superintendent Don "Mac" McCoy and the historic Valley View Golf Club association as members of the Class of 2012 of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame. The Night of Induction kicks off the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (September 18, 2012)--We have dubbed Las Vegas the Ultimate Golf City for many reasons. But near or at the top of the list are the 25 or more Tour professionals who live in the area or who otherwise have strong ties to Las Vegas golf courses. And taking a look at the official residences of the 30 PGA Tour players who have qualified for the TOUR Championship in the FedEx Cup further proves the point as three live in Las Vegas, and a fourth played college golf at UNLV. --By Brian Hurlburt