Jackson Parrish used 13 birdies and two eagles over the three days to win the 2024 Nevada State Amateur. It was Parrish’s second state title as he also won the 2023 Nevada State Match Play Championship. The Nevada State Am was held July 12-14, 2024, at Boulder Creek Golf Club.–by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
For the first time in history, the champion earned a spot in the 2024 U.S. Amateur. Parrish missed in local qualifying so he was thrilled to win the spot via the State Am.
Parrish said it was three solid rounds of golf on a course that fits his game.
“I’ve always played well here but this week was pretty special,” said Parrish who was the only golfer in the field to have all three rounds in the 60s. “I wasn’t trying to get too much done too quickly. I was thinking my way around the course and did a good job of that.”
He added that thinking process also included when he got himself in trouble.
“I had a few spots where I had to taken an unplayable,” he said. “I just had to accept the fact I was going to lose shots. But I made the proper plays and it really worked out for me. I could have tried to force the issue and made a six or a seven in those spots but instead I made a five.”
Parrish will be entering his senior year at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, CA., and said the win will boost his confidence going forward.
“Winning definitely helps,” he said. “And for it to be a state title makes it that much better.”
Ah, yes…a state title. Winning these prestigious events is always high on everyone’s wish list.
“Winning an event like this means a ton,” he said. “I wasn’t born in Las Vegas but I’ve lived here for most of my adult life. It means a lot that I’ve done something like this. It’s so cool to see all the names on the trophy.”
He said one of his best shots in the tournament that wound up being a highlight came in the final round.
“The second shot on No. 7 today was very good,” he said. “I hit a five-iron from 245 yards to 15 feet and made the eagle. That gave me a little more confidence in how I was playing.”
In the end, he added that it wasn’t his great play that proved to be the reason for the win…it was his mindset.
“I managed the course well,” he said. “It was more plodding around the course and taking what the course gave me. I didn’t make any big mistakes and kept the big numbers off the scorecard…and around here, those can happen quickly.”
2024 Nevada State Amateur
Parrish Jackson, 68-69-68—205
Matt Mitchell, 69-73-67—209
Grant McKay, 71-66-72—209