Las Vegas Golf Pros

Las Vegas, Nevada (March 14, 2011)--It was only a matter of time before a PGA Tour golfer with strong ties to Las Vegas golf courses won a tournament in 2011. Nick Watney became the first when he played a brilliant final round en route to a win at the World Golf Championships--Cadillac Championship at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral. Watney bested Dustin Johnson by two shots. Both Watney and Johnson work with Las Vegas Golf Region resident Butch Harmon. Now Watney is being mentioned as one of the best golfers on the PGA Tour. --By Brian Hurlburt.

Las Vegas, Nevada (January 16, 2012)--Gary Woodland made his debut in Las Vegas at the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge late in 2011. The event is annually played in November at Las Vegas golf course Rio Secco Golf Club, which is also the home course of the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Woodland possibly killed a couple birds with one Titleist, so to speak, as he played in the benefit event and the seeds of a new partnership with Harmon might have been planted. --By Brian Hurlburt.

Las Vegas, Nevada (March 13, 2011)--Here he goes again. Las Vegas Golf Region resident Butch Harmon, who has been voted the world's best instructor 10 years running by Golf Digest, works with two of the top four players who are battling to win the PGA Tour's WGC--Cadillac Championship. Dustin Johnson, who enters the final round with the lead, and Nick Watney, who was tied with Johnson until he dunked his tee shot in the water on 18 both learn from Harmon. Harmon operates the Butch Harmon School of Golf at Las Vegas golf course Rio Secco Golf Club. LIVE SCORING.--By Brian Hurlburt.

Las Vegas, Nevada (January 13, 2012)--The annual Southern Nevada Chapter, Southwest Section PGA of America Awards ceremony was held January 10 on the campus of UNLV, home of a very successful Professional Golf Management program. One of the evening highlights came when former United States Marine Thom Blinkinsop was honored as the 2011 Golf Professional of the Year. Blinkinsop is the general manager of Red Rock Country Club and Siena Golf Club, and oversees 54 holes of Las Vegas golf. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (March 12, 2011)--Times are tough and now Las Vegas PGA Tour golfer Nick Watney is doing his best to take money out of the pocket of a barber. With every top 10 finish, Watney's caddie, Chad Reynolds, goes another week without a haircut. The two hatched a plan that there would be no haircut for Reynolds until Nick, who moved to Las Vegas to be closer to Las Vegas Golf Region resident and pro Butch Harmon, finishes out of the top 10. Watney has finished in the top 10 in four-straight tournaments and was looking good for a fifth after two rounds of the Cadillac Championship. LIVE SCORING.--By Brian Hurlburt.

Las Vegas, Nevada (January 11, 2012)--Chris Cain will become the first PGA of America professional from the Southern Nevada Chapter to be named Southwest Section PGA of America Professional of the Year. The honor will be officially bestowed opon him on January 13 at a ceremony in Arizona. Cain, who is the director of the Professional Golf Management program at UNLV, was also named the 2010 Golf Professional of the Year at the chapter level. --By Brian Hurlburt (with press release).

Las Vegas, Nevada (February 27, 2011)--Erica Blasberg had lived in Las Vegas for several years, becoming involved in the community by playing golf at Southern Highlands Golf Club, helping junior golf when she could, and attending other high profile Las Vegas golf events. On May 9, 2010, she committed suicide at her home in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. Now, ESPN's award-winning Outside the Lines has revealed new details about her life and death, including how she had been battling personal demons for several years. --By Brian Hurlburt.

Las Vegas, Nevada (January 8, 2012)--Las Vegas Golf Region resident and 2011 PGA Tour Champion Kevin Na went seriously low in the second round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Na fired a 29 on the back nine and was 9-under par over his last 10 holes. The back nine included back-to-back eagles on 17 (a par 4) and 18 (a par 5). He ended with a 64 to rocket up the leaderboard. "I think it'll be the best finish of my life," Na told the media after the round. --By Brian Hurlburt

Las Vegas, Nevada (February 25, 2011)--When and if Andres Gonzales wins a PGA Tour event, the circuit will have its newest star. We don't base this as 100% fact, but we can't think of another PGA Tour player who sports a fu manchu like former UNLV golfer Andres Gonzales does. And his unique style, talent and Vegas flare will win plenty of fans, and it could all start this week because he has a share of the lead after the first round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico. LIVE SCORING. --By Brian Hurlburt.