July 23, 2007–Las Vegas has long been recognized as one of the world's top golf destinations, and is home to the biggest name designers in the world. But what is also quickly becoming recognized is that at some of the best golf courses in Las Vegas there are top golf instructors teaching the game. Recently, Golf Digest named the top eight golf instructors in Nevada, and all eight were from Las Vegas golf courses, and all have long histories and top reputations in the Las Vegas golf community. Read on for the list that was headlined by Butch Harmon, the world's top teacher, and Mike Davis (pictured), a GOLF Magazine Top 100 teacher.
Harmon, who operates the Butch Harmon School of Golf at Rio Secco Golf Club, was voted as the best instructor for the fourth-straight time, and it is a deserving award because he continually works with the top players in the world, including Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Fred Couples, among others.
Second on the list is Mike Davis, Director of Instruction at Walters Golf Academy, and a fast-rising star on the national scene. He recently was included on the GOLF Magazine Top 100 teacher list, and was also recently awarded Master Teaching Professional Status by the PGA of America, a long process. He has also won 14 different Teacher of the Year awards from different PGA of America associations.
Third is Jimmie Bullard, a longtime Las Vegas golf professional who now teaches out of Palm Valley Golf Club. Fourth is another longtime Las Vegas golf pro, Kim Dolan, who teaches out of Siena Golf Club while in fifth is Tom Carlson, who operates the Summerlin Junior Golf Academy at Angel Park Golf Club. Bullard, Dolan and Carlson all worked together at Las Vegas Golf Club for many years.
Sixth is Chuck Bombard from TPC Summerlin, one of the key organizers of the annual PGA Tour Las Vegas event the FRYS.com Open benefitting Shriners Hospital for Children.
Seventh is Dan Hammel from TPC Canyons, another host course for the FRYS.com Open.
Eighth is Tom Leese who, like Carlson, works out of Angel Park Golf Club.