State Amateur

History

Prestigious Nevada State Amateur Annually Determines Worthy Champion

Bob Pratt, who won the 1954 Nevada State Amateur, is just one of many excellent and accomplished golfers who have hoisted the most prestigious trophy in Nevada amateur golf. According to the archives, Pratt won the second-ever Nevada State Amateur. The first, in 1953, was won by Bill Higgins.

Ever since those fabulous fifties, the Nevada State Amateur has been won by future college and PGA TOUR players in addition to lifetime amateurs who have dedicated much of their lives to the grand ole game.

Pratt’s victory came a few years before he headed to the University of Houston, where he was a part of one of the best golf programs in the history of the sport. Pratt played for the University of Houston from 1957-59 and was there for three national titles for the team. In 1959 Pratt was named a second-team All-American for his role in the team’s NCAA title.

Charlie Teel, sometimes referred to as the “Father of golf in Las Vegas” won the Nevada State Amateur back-to-back in 1957 and 1958. Teel also Teel collected an unprecedented 18 Las Vegas City Amateur and Southern Nevada Amateur titles during his prolific career. He became, arguably, one of the best amateur golfers in the history of Nevada despite several obstacles.

“He was really remarkable given that he overcame the challenge of a shriveled arm to become a scratch golfer,” Bob Coffin said. “He utilized total concentration, and that really made his game.”

Off the course, Teel served as the president of the Nevada State Golf Association and was instrumental in helping several amateur organizations start operations. He also served on the Tournament of Champions committee and other high-level tournaments.

Coffin, who played golf at UNLV and also served as a Nevada State Senator and on the Las Vegas City Council, won the Nevada State Amateur in 1970. Coffin also served as a past president of the Nevada State Golf Association.

Ernest Maupin, an accomplished attorney in Nevada and a former golfer at the University of Nevada, won the Nevada State Amateur in 1987. Maupin served as a regional United States Golf Association director in addition to several roles with both the Nevada State Golf Association and the Northern Nevada Golf Association. He was president of both of the Nevada golf organizations.

Other notable champions include future PGA TOUR players Edward Fryatt, Craig Barlow, Scott Piercy, and Rich Barcelo, in addition to lifetime amateurs Eric Dutt, Brady Exber, Stuart Reid and Dean Menante.

LIST OF CHAMPIONS

2023                  Ben Sawaia

2022                  Cameron Barzekoff

2021                    Josh Goldstein

2020                    Michael Sarro

2019                    JJ Gresco 

2018                    Alex Jordan 

2017                    Daren Johnson 

2016                    Stephen Sear

2015                    Stephen Sear

2014                    Nicholas Smits

2013                    Greg Horodesky

2012                    Roman Mudd

2011                    JT Cockerill

2010                    Scott Smith

2009                    Joe Sanders

2008                    Brady Exber

2007                    Dustin Hall

2006                    Matt Kinsinger

2005                    Chad Fosburg

2004                    Matt Kodama

2003                    Matt Kodama

2002                    Cullen Brasfield

2001                    Billy Harvey

2000                    Billy Harvey

1999                    Russell Nygard

1998                    Scott Piercy

1997                    Steve Sheehan

1996                    Mike Louden

1995                    Rich Barcelo

1994                    Craig Barlow

1993                    Mike Bodney

1992                    Ed Fryatt

1991                    Brady Exber

1990                    Ron Hurst

1989                    Dean Menante

1988                    Paul Lanager

1987                    Ernie Maupin

1986                    Mark Gilmartin

1985                    Dee Conton

1984                    Dean Menante

1983                    Mike Allen

1982                    Dan Dodson

1981                    Steve Sands

1980                    Jim Allred

1979                    Dan Dodson

1978                    Stuart Reid

1977                    Morris Ferstman

1976                    Eric Dutt

1975                    Butch Sheehan

1974                    Butch Sheehan

1973                    Gary Singer

1972                    Kit Dickenson

1971                    Pat McLeary

1970                    Bob Coffin

1969                    Tom Beck

1968                    Tom Minger

1967                    Bruce Ashworth

1966                    Dick Payne

1965                    Martin Bohen

1964                    Harley Williams

1963                    Bud Shank

1962                    Frank Subden

1961                    Tony Frabbiele

1960                    Lynn Creason

1959                    Lynn Creason

1958                    Charlie Teel

1957                    Charlie Teel

1956                    Elmer Glites

1955                    Bob Unthank

1954                    Bob Pratt

1953                    Bill Higgins