The Southern Nevada Golf Association honored the 2006 Players of the Year in each division. Local Adam Tebbs, who plays college golf for Brigham Young University, led the way. The event was held at the exclusive TPC Summerlin.
By Brian Hurlburt, GolfLasVegasNow.com Editor
In addition to the Player of the Year awards, the stalwart SNGA volunteers and corporate partners were recognized. The TPC Summerlin is the host course for the PGA Tour's FRYS.com Open.
The SNGA tournament schedule is played at many of the finest courses in Las Vegas golf including Tuscany Golf Club, Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Las Vegas National Golf Club, Rhodes Ranch Golf Club, Legacy Golf and others.
Link to tee times at Las Vegas golf course, and official golf course websites
Brady Exber, incoming 2007 SNGA president, and the Championship Player of the Year for seven of the last 10 years, revealed the 2006 Championship Player of the Year. Adam Tebbs, who has long been a successful player at every level in Southern Nevada, edged out the tough competition to win the award.
He has a lot of heart, Exber said. When he has a bad day, his heart shines through. He shows a lot of determination on every shot and in every tournament.
Tebbs, who plays golf at Brigham Young University, was unable to attend the event, but his Mom, Suzanne, accepted on his behalf.
He really wanted to be here, but he couldnt, said his Mom. I know that he wanted to be here, because he never calls me, but today he called me twice. He thanks Sue May, Larry McGovern and Brian Foster, and all of the volunteers for making the season great. He says a big reason that he is successful is because of the competition the other players in the SNGA provide. He had a lot of fun playing this year, and he thanks everyone for including and accepting him.
Tebbs won three events, the Tuscany Amateur, the Review-Journal Golf Classic, and the Las Vegas City Amateur.
The Senior Division Net Player of the Year for 2006 was Lee Mott. Mott won the Nevada State Amateur and also finished as the runner-up in the Las Vegas City Amateur. Many other consistent finishes helped him win the award.
The Senior Division Championship Player of the Year was Joe Bordonaro. He started off 2006 with a win at the Tuscany Amateur, the seasons first tournament, and also added a win at the Ruths Chris Team Classic.
Thanks for supporting me and the senior division, Bordonaro said. This division is very competitive and I feel very fortunate that I finished on top. The consistency throughout the year got me the points I needed. Thanks again to the volunteers and the SNGA for putting on such great tournaments.
The Net Player of the Year was Dean Collins. Collins began working with noted Southern Nevada golf pro Mike Davis, and shaved four strokes off of his handicap in just a few months. Collins won two of the last three events of the year, the Ruths Chris Golf Classic and the Clark County Amateur, en route to the victory.
Sue May, SNGA Director of Rules and Competitions, recognized the volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Volunteer rules officials give up many weekends a year to oversee the many SNGA golf events. In addition to the time commitment, they are also obligated to attend rules clinics and must know the complicated Rules of Golf in great detail.
Those recognized included Chuck Buys, Sherry Corsello, Margie Bowgren, Robbie Robertson, Mike Seifer, Jim Van Cleve and Jerry Clark.
Corporate sponsors recognized included Chapman Dodge, Nationwide Insurance, Pro Golf of Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Ruths Chris.
Ron Reed, the USGA regional representativein addition to his duties as a starter at the U.S. Open–was in attendance as was Danielle Gladd, executive Director if The First Tee of Southern Nevada, and Tyrell Nichols, Director of Competitive Programs for The First Tee of Southern Nevada, and other players and SNGA supporters.