ImageThe Southern Nevada Golf Association is an underrated group. The SNGA is the United States Golf Association body for Southern Nevada, and pretty much organizes and operates any amateur tournament of note in this area. The group runs net, senior and competitive gross competitions throughout the year at our best courses. In addition to the tournaments, they rate the courses for handicap purposes, operate the handicap system for a majority of the courses, and also provide rules officials for various, junior, high school, PGA and college tournaments in this area.

Official Southern Nevada Golf Association website

What is the SNGA? The SNGA tour is where most of our local talent learned the game, and two former Players of the year are enjoying tremendous PGA Tour careers. Robert Gamez won player of the year honors from 1985-1988, while Craig Barlow (who won a million dollars for the first time in his career in 2006) was the Player of the Year in 1994. And former UNLV Rebel great Edward Fryatt was the Player of the Year three times from 1991-1993. He went on to play the PGA Tour and won four international tournaments before retiring from competitive golf to pursue a business opportunity in Las Vegas and spend more time with his family.

Surprisingly, only about 12,000 Southern Nevada golfers hold a true handicap card courtesy of the USGA. And if you don’t, you probably have no idea how to get one. Recently, the Southern Nevada Golf Club was created and offers players an affordable and fun opportunity to secure a valid handicap and play in high quality events. The cost is only $35 annually.

The SNGA also operates the illustrious Southern Nevada Golf Hall of Fame. Members include Gamez, Jim Colbert, Butch Harmon, Chris Riley, the national championship UNLV Men’s Golf team, and many others. 

Hall-of-Famer Chris Riley with emcee Jack Sheehan

Hall-of-Famer Chris Riley with emcee Jack Sheehan

 

Hall-of-Famer Jim Colbert

Hall-of-Famer Jim Colbert

 

 

Robert Gamez was player of the year four times, and now is a 3-time PGA Tour winner

Robert Gamez was player of the year four times, and now is a 3-time PGA Tour winner

 

 

 

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