finalthoughts... Finding An Agent That’s Right For You “Golf is played on a 5 1/2 inch course. The space between your ears.” - Bobby Jones
Las Vegas National Golf Club Site of the 2009 SNGA Season Opener
In The Next Issue>>> Nevada State Amateur Recap Did you Know? Fix Its by Nicole Dutt-Roberts Course Spotlight - Highland Falls
2625 N. Green Valley Pkwy. Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89014 Contact us at 702-458-4653
Las Vegas National >>> “The National” has a long history in the Las Vegas Valley. Just after completion in 1961, The National, then called the Stardust Country Club, hosted its first professional golf event, the LPGA Championship. From that date forward history was made. The layout, designed by Bert Stamps, is traditional in design and even today is a challenge for the best of players. “The National” has become a landmark over the last 50 years.
www.snga.org
What’s on Tap >>>
Paiute Resort Golf Club - Wolf Course Site of the 2009 Nevada State Net Amateur
2009 Nevada State Amateur Different setup, same great event! For the first time since the introduction of the Net division to the Nevada State Amateur, the two divisions will be holding their respective events at different venues across the state. The Net Division will be held at Paiute Resort Golf Course August 7th - 9th. The Scratch Division will be contested at Dayton Valley CC in Reno August 29th - 31st. For more information on these events or to inquire about watching, volunteering, or how to participate in state events visit www.snga.org or contact the SNGA offices at 702-458-4653.
JULY
Cascata Golf Club >>>
Special Issue
Designed by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones, Cascata opened in 2000 and is already celebrated as one of the finest designs in the world. Only 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Cascata is the ultimate in privacy, luxury, and uncompromising service. From the moment you arrive our accommodating staff is there to ensure you have an unforgettable day. Few places on Earth offer such extravagance.
Cascata Golf Club Site of the 2009 Nevada State Match Play Championship
A Monthly Insight into the Southern Nevada Golf Association
The Grind In This Issue >>> 1. SNGA Seniors 2. Did You Know? - Course Rating 3. Course Spotlight - Palm Valley 4. Misunderstood Rules
The Legacy Golf Club Site of the 2009 Southern Nevada Amateur
2009 SNGA Senior Championship Twice as Nice for Acker and Bradley The SNGA Senior Championship was held at The Primm Valley Golf Club Lakes Course on July 18th and 19th. 56 contestants vowed for the Scratch and Net titles.
Ganier's second round 70 was the Frank Acker and Jimmy Bradley solidionly other round of the tournament refied their positions atop the 2009 SNGA corded in red figures. Senior Player of the Year Points Standings with their wins at the 2009 SNGA Jimmy Bradley took the Senior Net DiviSenior Championship. The back-to-back sion Title shooting a 2 day total of 5 unSNGA major wins gives both men multider par 137. Finishing in ple victories on the 2009 second was Gary Carpendale campaign. Frank ran off who shot 3 under 139. In four straight 3rd was Nass Diallo, the Frank Acker shot a solid overnight leader shot 73 on opening round par 71 on the birdies on the day 2 to finish at 2 under par difficult Primm Valley 140. In a 3-way tie for 4th; Lakes Course and followed last four holes for George Yocum, Chris Redd, it up with a 3 under 68 to an amazing finish and Tony Tomski all finfinish at 139 and claim a 4 ished at level par 142. shot victory over Steve Paulsen (143). Acker's 3 under par total included a stretch of 4 straight birdies to The SNGA would like to thank all 56 close the round Sunday that secured the competitors who joined us at Primm Valwin. ley Golf Club for the weekend. A special thank you to the Primm Valley Golf Club Finishing in 3rd was Gary Carpendale staff for their extended professionalism with a 2 day total of 145. Tying for 4th and service. As a reminder, the next place were Danny Ganier and Arizona SNGA Senior Event is the 2009 Neresident Bob Martin who shot 5 over par vada State Seniors to be contested August 147. 21 - August 23 at Paiute Golf Resort.
Did You Know? >>>
What is involved in Course Rating By Drew Smith Course Rating All of these obstacles are
Depicts the most
given a value based on
After each hole has been evaluated and a final point
their difficulty on each
of the USGA
value has been given with adjustments to each obsta-
hole. Each obstacle is
cle, the overall rating is inputted into the USGA
Handicap System.
then given adjustments to
Course Rating Database System and a formula calcu-
these values because of
lates all the different values to arrive at the final
The USGA has
certain circumstances
Course Rating. When this Rating is compiled, it is
developed a series
that arise in many cases
uploaded to the USGA Course Database and made
of point values
while playing. Some of
official.
important aspects
associated with different obstacles on a golf
these circumstances include a green that is heav-
course. Those obstacles include topography,
ily surrounded by bunkers, an elevated tee shot,
The countless associations and multitude of teams that
green surface, desert and/or trees, out of
multiple carries over an obstacle on one hole,
are involved in Course Rating make the system a won-
bounds, rough and recoverability, and psy-
etc. All these circumstances affect the overall
der to behold. Once the process is finally explained,
chological aspects of the game that can affect
rating for each hole.
many people take a little more appreciation when they
scores.
see the rating on a scorecard.
Course Spotlight >>>
Finally a home for the SNGA. One of SNGA’s New Home Courses: Palm Valley Golf Club Palm Valley opened in 1989 as the first of the three courses. This par-72 course is the Golf-Summerlin's longest, playing to 6,580 yards, and its rating/slope of 72/127 also ranks it as the toughest. The mature layout is neatly manicured with undulating fairways and rolling greens. Palm Valley's four par 5's are short to medium in length; the longest two open and close the round. The 1st hole measures 537 yards; the 18th plays 534 yards. The finishing hole is a slight dogleg right with water to the right from tee to green and out-of-bounds left, so a premium is placed on accuracy. Fairway bunkers left also come into play, and the green is further guarded by bunkers left and back. The 177-yard 3rd hole is the shortest of the four par 3s. The 16th hole plays a demanding 229 yards to an elevated green guarded by three bunkers left and a sharp drop off to the right. Palm Valley's ten par 4s give players a good chance to try out all their shot-making skills. The par 4s measure nicely across the spectrum from the shortest, the 343-yard 14th hole, to the longest, the 454-yard 5th hole that is rated the toughest on the course. Water extends from the tee about 50 yards out, while the fairway doglegs right and five bunkers right guard the turn. The green is well-protected by three bunkers tight and in back.
Misunderstood Rules by Casey Mersch >>>
Q: Should I hit a Provisional? A: Rule 27-2 Provisional Ball The provisional ball is one of the greatest time savers in the game of golf. It allows you to play an “extra” ball when your original ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds. Imagine for a moment if this provision was not within the USGA’s Rules of Golf. A player would play his tee shot perhaps into a thick forest, and then would have to go forward to search for the ball for 5 minutes, not find it, and then head all the way back to the tee to play his third shot…cost him lots of extra time did it not? Let’s now take a look at the details of Rule 27-2, so the next time we have to invoke it on the golf course, we do so properly. The key first element to playing a provisional ball is where the original ball lies: it MUST BE either lost outside a water hazard or possibly out of bounds. If neither of those conditions apply, you cannot play a provisional ball. Key element #2: you must verbally declare, to your opponent in match play or your maker or fellow competitor in stroke play, that you intend to play a provisional ball. Key element #3: you or your partner (if you are playing a team format) must not go forward to look for the original ball before playing a provisional ball. If you breach elements 1,2, or 3 the original ball is lost under penalty of stroke and distance and the provisional becomes the ball in play. Multiple provisional balls may be played from the same spot, each new provisional will bear relationship to the previously struck provisional ball. Now what happens as we move forward on the hole after playing both our original ball and provisional ball? Key element #1: you cannot play a provisional ball from a spot where your original ball is likely to be or closer to the hole. If you do so, the original ball is lost and the provisional becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance. Key element #2: If it is known or virtually certain that your original ball is in a water hazard, you must proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1 (Water Hazard Rule.) Key element #3: If you have played multiple strokes with your provisional ball before reaching your original ball, and your original ball is found: you MUST abandon all strokes and penalty strokes incurred with the provisional ball. Key element #4: If your original ball is found outside a water hazard and in bounds, you must continue play with that original ball. If you continue to play your provisional ball, you are now playing a wrong ball. The provisional ball rule is in place to help you and all others on the course better enjoy the game. The time saving aspect of Rule 27-2 is its greatest asset, just be sure the next time you invoke the rule, you follow the steps above to avoid penalty.
Nature Valley Amateur comes to TPC Las Vegas Opened in 1996, TPC Las Vegas has managed to meld two juxtaposed forces. Lush green parcels of manicured turf are woven throughout a rugged tapestry of arroyos, barrancas and other natural features in the southern Nevada desert. "Desert elegance," it has been called. There could be a no more apt description of the par -71, 7,063-yard golf course that offers a stern test of golfing skills along with stunning vistas. "As far as aesthetics and playability," says Raymond Floyd, player consultant, who considers TPC Las Vegas among his best works, "I would put TPC Las Vegas up against any golf course you care to mention. It's as unique as they come and I'm very proud of the way it has turned out, especially given the challenges of designing a golf course on such a challenging piece of property. "But," Floyd added, "I think a golf course is kind of like a fine wine. The best come from the toughest pieces of ground." The natural elements at TPC Las Vegas are impossible to overlook. Dramatic scenery abounds, including a view of Red Rock Canyon. Much of the indigenous vegetation was preserved. Some was transplanted. Bobby Weed, architect, and Floyd took great care in considering the natural drainage when the routing was conceived. "The theme of this course is more the natural, rugged look to create contrast," said Chris Gray, Director of Design for PGA TOUR Design Services. "That is why we incorporated the natural wash areas and transplanted the natural desert plants, so it would not look created." But it is the raw landscape within the course boundaries that are most fascinating - and frustrating - for golfers. While the course meanders over several hundred acres, it has only 110 acres of irrigated land - another plus in the realm of environmental conservation and wildlife preservation. TPC Las Vegas has hosted the Senior PGA TOUR's Las Vegas Classic in past years and was the former host of Frys.com Open.