More often than not, it seems Boulder Creek is hosting a top-level amateur or professional event from juniors on up to Tour pros attempting to qualify for the Shriners Children’s Open. From Nov. 16-19, Boulder Creek will once again host the Southern Nevada Golf Association Clark County Senior Amateur and Clark County Amateur. –By Brian Hurlburt
Hosting the event is in the DNA of the course and management. The Clark County Senior Amateur is Nov. 16-17 and the Clark County Amateur is Nov. 18-19. Spots are available for each tournament so click the links to play. Boulder Creek also recently hosted two Shriners pre-qualifier events.
“The Clark County Amateur should bring together the best and highest quality players from Southern Nevada, and keeping competitive golf alive is super important to the future of the game,” Said Karl Larcom, Boulder Creek director of golf. “Those reasons are why Boulder Creek always keeps our doors open to the SNGA, the SNJGA, the USGA, UNLV, and the Southwest Section PGA. Anytime we can be included in something that has a rich history like the Clark County Amateur, it’s a feather in our cap. I’ve always thought that state amateurs, the Clark County Amateur, any event of that level, not only are good for the game of golf, but it’s very nice to have your golf course attached to that type of history.”
Tim Brand, Southern Nevada Golf Association assistant executive director, appreciates what Boulder Creek and the management does.
“I can’t say enough good things about Boulder Creek Golf Club. Andy, Karl, Sam and their entire staff are phenomenal,” Brand said. “We have a lot of well run golf courses here in Southern Nevada, but the team there at Boulder Creek has to be considered right up there at the very top. They take a great deal of pride in the golf course and showcasing the golf course for high level competitions. Whether it be Shriner’s qualifying, SNGA and Nevada State championships, NCAA Invitationals, or future NCAA National Championships, they welcome the opportunity to host these prestigious events. The golf course can hold up against any level of competition. The course conditions, especially over the last handful of years, have been really good.”
Larcom believes Boulder Creek sets up very well to host tournaments.
“Boulder Creek is an awesome venue and the conditions are always spot on because Byron, our superintendent, does a fantastic job,” Larcom said. “The golf course is really cool for competitive play because everything is out in front of you. There are really no tricks out there and the greens are big and wide open. If you are rolling your putter well and your ball striking is solid, a person can go low here. But if you’re slightly off, the golf course can punish you.”
Besides hosting the events, Larcom–along with Andy Schaper, who oversees both the Creek and Boulder City Golf Course–believes that supporting amateur associations is important.
“People that have USGA GHIN handicap indexes are generally your more competitive players and those who probably play a lot more golf,” Larcom said.. “It is important to cater to those players in addition to new golfers. Amateur associations do a fantastic job of promoting events to try and keep the game moving forward so it doesn’t get stagnant or flat.”
Brand and the team at SNGA always look forward to the Clark County Am events.
“The Clark County Am is the culmination of our Championship schedule,” Brand said. “It is the fourth and final Major Championship of the season. It is also the last event of the season in which players can earn points towards his respective Player of the Year titles. This makes the event very exciting. Some point races may have been decided by this point, but with it being a Major Championship, there are a lot of points up for grabs. Many times Player of the Year point races are not decided until we get to this final Championship of the season. That dynamic brings an extra level of excitement to this event. It also continues to attract one of the strongest fields we see all year.”
To test Boulder Creek for yourself, visit golfbouldercity.com. You can also visit SNGA.org for more information.
Boulder Creek is an official course partner of Las Vegas Golf Insider.