From the Editor

Unless you live in one of the warmer climates of the United States, the onset of Winter means less and less golf to play. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we get breaks in the weather that allow us to play from time to time. Our friends in the Midwest don’t usually have that option. It’s brutal.

That’s why I typically start looking for travel options in January and February; if it’s a tournament opportunity, all the better. This year, I found an option that combines decent golf weather, an individual tournament, and the magic of Las Vegas: The Las Vegas World Amateur!

Scheduled for February 25-28, 2019, the seventh year event will play its first three rounds at Chimera Golf Club, The Concord Course at Revere, and The Lexington Course at Revere. A fourth course, for the top finishers, will be unveiled on New Year’s Day.

There’s something special about playing golf in Las Vegas. No matter how far you play from The Strip, the horizon is dominated by one of the greatest man-made spectacles on earth. Combine that with the gaming, food, and shows and you’ve got the makings of a trip perfect for golf buddies or significant others.

To learn more about the Las Vegas World Amateur - or to register - visit www.vegasworldam.com. I’ll be there and hope you will be, too!

The site of the 2015 U.S. Open closed October 1st for a five-month greens renovation that will include regrassing the fine fescue putting surfaces with Poa annua, the region’s dominant turf type.

Three OGA competitors - Gretchen Johnson, Cole Madey and Lara Tennant - were recently honored by Global Golf Post for their local, regional and national success in 2018.

Wayne Berry, the former (Executive) Director for the IGA before working for the PGA Tour and now Web.com Tour, passed away in October. Wayne left a lasting legacy on Idaho Golf.

The Utah Golf Association team 2 of (L-R) Ryan Brimley, Ron Davis, Darrin Overson & Randy Hicken won the 54-hole Southwest Team Challenge at Reflection Bay Golf Club.