Page 24 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure SPRING 2018

[ INDU S T R Y INSIGH T S ]

NE W S • E V EN T S • BEH IND T HE SCENE S

Members Come SNGA Honors

Full Circle to 2017 Players

Lead Junior Golf & Volunteers

he passion to run the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Associa- t’s a yearlong chase to earn a prestigious player of the year honor
tion runs deep for Kerri Clark and Nicole Dutt-Roberts. They from the Southern Nevada Golf Association. In 2017, there were
Teach played in the SNJGA in the late seventies and early eight- Isome repeat winners and some new names added to the annals
ies before playing collegiate golf. Clark even played on the LPGA Tour of the historic organization.
and internationally before embarking on a successful teaching career.
Dutt-Roberts has been a teaching professional for the last 30 years. PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Now the duo—who have been friends since their junior golf days—are
back to lead the SNJGA into the future. Clark and Dutt-Roberts will Championship – Edward Fryatt
divide duties that include fundraising, association management, grant Net – Nate Ross
writing, tournament organization, instruction, working with other area Senior – Gary Carpendale
instructors and more. Silver – Frank Abbott
The volunteer board of directors selected Clark and Dutt-Roberts due Senior Net – Don Blanton
to their experience, passion and dedication to the game. Silver Net – John Kelley
“I feel a sense of loyalty and bonding to the SNJGA, which gives me a
passion to work hard to help make it great again,” Dutt-Roberts says. “I “Apparently, I only win player of the year every other year,” Gary
am excited to give back to an association that was a big part of my child- Carpendale says about his honor, after also earning the award in 2013
hood in junior golf. Kerri and I were part of the junior SNJGA board in and 2015. “Consistency is the key for me. I have to play good in every
the late 1970’s when our parents used to meet at Winterwood Golf Club one of them. It just shows that I had a good year. Don’t set out to
to establish the SNJGA.” achieve a goal like Player of the Year, but once it’s close, you start look-
Dutt-Roberts starred at Valley, also winning an individual state title ing at it. It’s playing against all your friends and people you’re always
and playing at Weber State. She has been teaching golf for nearly three around. Any time you come out on top, it’s a great accomplishment.”
decades and once served as executive director of the Southern Nevada
Golf Association. The SNGA wouldn’t be successful without the unselfish and amazing
Clark starred at Rancho, winning a state title in 1980, prior to enjoying efforts of volunteers.
an All-American career at Weber State. She played on the LPGA Tour in
1987-88 and has been an instructor in Las Vegas for two decades. VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
“The first thing that comes to mind about getting back involved is Jackie Pierson
the wonderful history the program and the careers in golf it helped David Hon
launched,” Clark says. “The SNJGA also helped members get college
scholarships. Our goals are to get the program back on track after being FACILITIES/CLUBS OF THE YEAR
off the grid as the premier junior program that it once was. Plus, we Boulder Creek
want to expose golf to kids in the Vegas valley, no matter their socio or SouthShore
economic backgrounds. Golf can be attainable.” Coyote Springs, member club
The SNJGA offers competitive and fun tournaments, and introductory
golf clinics for ages 6-17.

FOR MEMBERSHIP OR DONATION INFORMATION, VISIT:
WWW.SOUTHERNNEVADAJUNIORGOLF.COM

22 LVG&L SPRING 2018 W W W.L ASVEGASGOLFANDLEISURE.COM