Golf Briefs

Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management expanded its Las Vegas influence with the recent announcement that it is managing Painted Desert and Las Vegas golf clubs.

OB Sports is managing all aspects of each facility, including golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, instruction, membership sales and marketing.

OB Sports has been operating courses in Las Vegas since 1990, including The Legacy, Angel Park, Stallion Mountain and Aliante golf clubs.

Painted Desert and Las Vegas golf clubs will be incorporated into OB Sports’ Las Vegas marketing efforts that include its stay-and-play packages, popular double- and triple-play offerings and inclusion in the OB Sports Golf Card.

Demo day, amateur tournament held in Mesquite

A chance meeting between CasaBlanca head golf professional Mary Ochs and Nike Golf sales representative Pete Rericha resulted in a well-received demonstration day Feb. 9 at the CasaBlanca Golf Course in Mesquite.

Rericha said his event at the CasaBlanca included product demonstrations where golf enthusiasts were encouraged to test their own equipment against Nike’s latest.

At the same time, Golf Mesquite Nevada was hosting the Golf Week Amateur Exhibition tournament that attracted about 40 players.

Cody Law of Golf Mesquite Nevada said the Golf Week Amateur tournament was a Golf Week Rater event. Raters from all over the country are chosen by the Golf Week publication.

"They were in town for four days playing the CasaBlanca, Sand Hollow, Falcon Ridge and Oasis Palmer courses," Law said. "They will rate the courses and see how they rank them with other courses around the country. This is the first time we’ve had an event with them and we’re hoping they’ll come back again to see the other courses that they won’t see on this trip."

Wynn Golf Club earns Golf Magazine Gold Medal Award

The Wynn Golf Club at Wynn Las Vegas has earned the prestigious Golf Magazine Gold Medal Award. The golf club was one of 25 courses to grab the honor, and the only course in Nevada to receive the distinguished designation.

Thousands of Golf Magazine readers cast their votes to determine this year’s Gold Medal Award winners.

The Wynn Golf Club is the only golf course connected to a resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Wynn Golf Club features an 18-hole, 7,042-yard, par-70 golf course with Tifway II Hybrid Bermuda grass on the fairways and tees and Pennlinks Bentgrass putting greens built to United States Golf Association specifications.

Green fees are $500 per round. Tee times vary seasonally. For reservations, call 702-770-4653.

OB Sports card member Jason Wroblewski wins car

Las Vegas resident Jason Wroblewski won a three-year lease of a new 2012 Toyota Camry, courtesy of Desert Toyota of Las Vegas, after he outlasted 35 other competitors in a putt-off held at Angel Park Golf Club’s putting course Jan. 28. Runner-up Steve Leonelli received 12 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls for his performance.

The event has been part of the OB Sports Golf Card program since 2003. Each year, the names of 36 card members are drawn — nine from The Legacy, nine from Aliante and 18 from Angel Park golf clubs. Then, they gather at Angel Park Golf Club for a putting contest to decide the winner.

Desert Pines joins effort to produce golf’s next millionaire

Desert Pines Golf Club has signed up as an affiliate in this year’s 2012 King of the Fairway million dollar golf tournament. Only amateur, novice and nonprofessionals can compete for the money.

In this nationwide tournament, nonprofessional players from all 50 states will compete in a three-round, progressive knockout tournament. The top players from each round will continue to the finals, where one golfer will be crowned King of the Fairway 2012 and receive the $1 million prize.

With at least one of the tournament stages being held at the Desert Pines course, a hometown hero could emerge as golf’s next million-dollar superstar.

Tournaments start in April and spots are limited, so players are encouraged to sign up soon to make sure they get a shot at the prize.

Players can register to play online at KingoftheFairway.com.