Golf in Nevada
Epic. Exciting. Dynamic. Diverse. Competitive. Historic.
And now Together.
Story by Brian Hurlburt
A new Nevada Golf debuted January 1. In honor of that, here is a look at the history of amateur golf in the Silver State.
Golf in Nevada is vibrant, competitive, and deeply rooted in tradition, and the mission of Nevada Golf, via www.NevadaGolf.org, is to bring its stories to life with timely updates and year-round coverage of the people, events, and moments that define the game.
There is undeniable strength in numbers, and even greater power in collaboration. For decades, the Northern and Southern areas of Nevada have collaborated, sharing a vision to operate prestigious state events and to oversee the grand old game. Both associations bring decades of history and leadership to this partnership. The Southern Nevada Golf Association was founded in 1967 and today represents more than 18,000 members. The Northern Nevada Golf Association followed in 1972, building its own proud legacy of championship golf and service to the game with 10,000+ members.
Together, these organizations have worked annually to conduct and administer many of the most significant tournaments in the state. Nevada’s major championships include the Nevada State Amateur, Nevada State Mid-Amateur, Nevada State Net Amateur, Nevada State Match Play, Nevada State Senior Amateur, and the Nevada State Junior Amateur—events that continue to shape the competitive landscape of Nevada golf.
In addition, special tournaments honor some of the most influential and generous contributors to the game. The Cobb-Whalen Cup and the Oliver Cup are contested each year, blending camaraderie and spirited competition at the highest levels of amateur golf. The Silver Cup brings the top women amateur golfers together each year.
All championships are officially sanctioned and conducted under the rules and guidelines of the United States Golf Association, ensuring integrity, consistency, and excellence in competition.
Nevada’s list of champions reflects the state’s rich golf heritage, featuring lifelong amateurs, collegiate standouts, and future PGA TOUR professionals. The Nevada State Amateur dates back to 1953, when Bill Higgins captured the inaugural title. That same year marked the first playing of the PGA TOUR’s Tournament of Champions, held at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
Over the decades, the championship has crowned many notable winners, including Las Vegas Golf Hall of Famers Charles Teel (1957–58), Eric Dutt (1976), and Brady Exber (1991), as well as Hall of Famers and future PGA TOUR players Craig Barlow (1994) and Edward Fryatt (1992).
Former University of Nevada standout and future PGA TOUR player Rich Barcelo claimed the title in 1995, while Northern Nevadan Butch Sheehan won back-to-back championships in 1974 and 1975. Sheehan later became a golf professional, competed in the PGA Championship, and is the brother and former coach of LPGA Tour Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan. Another University of Nevada golfer, Nicolas Smits, added his name to the list of champions in 2014.
The Nevada State Women’s Amateur lists a who’s who of champions from the North and South including Patty Sheehan from 1975-78 and UNLV golfer Veronica Joels in 2018-19 and 2021.
Nevada is known as the “Battle Born” state, and its golf history is filled with memorable battles—epic victories, narrow defeats, and defining moments. The state’s golf courses are as diverse as its landscape and people. With more than 100 courses statewide, players can experience snow-capped mountain layouts in the north and striking desert designs in the south. Across Nevada, golfers enjoy everything from classic parkland courses to rugged links-style tracks and modern championship venues.
On and off the course, golf in Nevada is a billion-dollar industry that plays a vital role in the state’s economy and attracts golfers from around the world. Nevada Golf, along with its allied associations in Northern and Southern Nevada, is committed to promoting the game statewide—and showcasing it globally.
