Whenever more than 30 Las Vegas Golf of Famers gather, it will be a special night. Such was the case Oct. 7 for the 2023 Night of Induction, which kicked off the Shriners Children’s Open PGA Tour event. Five new inductees were honored. –By Brian Hurlburt.
The Class of 2023 was Chuck Bombard, PGA of America lifetime member; Tim Cashman, golf leader and philanthropist; Jim Hart, junior golf volunteer and instructor who introduces deserving kids to the game; Todd Roberts, top Southern Nevada Golf Association senior amateur and golf supporter; and Warren Schutte, the former UNLV golfer who put the men’s program on the map and winner of the 1991 NCAA individual title.
“What makes the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame truly special is there is not an exact criteria for the inductees to get in, and not one of them ever set out with that goal in mind, including yours truly, to ever dream about having this jacket and having the plaque that I get to look at in my house,” said Art Sellinger, Class of 2011 inductee and event emcee. “I know that this is probably the single-best honor I’ll ever cherish in my life.”
During his induction conversation with Sellinger, Cashman brought attention to the role that golf has played in the evolution of Las Vegas on all levels.
“Las Vegas is now not only the entertainment capital of the world, it’s a sports and entertainment capital of the world,” Cashman said. “Everybody in this room, and everybody being inducted today, has played a role in the development of golf. From the Las Vegas Founder’s Club to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, who brought the tournament here, they each have set the stage for what Las Vegas has become today.”
The Shriners Children’s Open celebrated 40 years in 2023 and has a deep history in the community. Four of the five 2023 inductees have deep ties with the Vegas PGA Tour event. Bombard is a former TPC Summerlin general manager who helped operate Las Vegas’ PGA Tour event from 2001-2010. Cashman was a prominent member of the Las Vegas Founder’s Club that operated the event in addition to the Las Vegas Senior Classic. Hart has served as a long-time volunteer who oversees the Shriners standard bearer program; and Schutte played in the Las Vegas PGA Tour event in 1993 and 2010.
Schutte, the night’s final inductee, was inspired by now being a part of the Hall of Fame and enjoyed the reunion-feel of the event.
“What is great is that I looked at the all of the past people who have been inducted, and I know them all,” Schutte said. ” We’ve spent time together and the common bond is that they they have made Las Vegas golf better. And to be joining them is a true honor and something I’m excited about.”
Proceeds from the event benefited the Hall of Fame and also the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association. The first Silent Auction in HOF history raised $36,000 and much good will be done with the funds. In addition, the Bill Walters Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship annually awards a $10,000 scholarship. The LV Golf Hall of Fame also assists the SNJGA in awarding an additional $35,000+ in scholarships annually.
The weekend’s festivities kicked of for the inductees with the inaugural Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Legends Breakfast and Golf Classic at the historic Las Vegas National Golf Club, home of the HOF exhibit. The inductee-only event featured the unveiling of the 2023 inductee plaques prior to the group playing the course.
Writer Brian Hurlburt serves as Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame executive director.