UNLV'S Han Named to 2008 Ben Hogan Award Watch List

The junior is included on the 24-player list for the second straight year

Feb. 20, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - For the second straight year, UNLV junior golfer Seung-su Han has been included on The Ben Hogan Award watch list, which was announced Wednesday in Norman, Okla., by Chesepeake Energy, in association with Colonial Country Club, The Friends of Golf (FOG) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

The most prestigious award in men's college golf, The Hogan is presented annually to the top men's golfer at the intercollegiate level, and considers all collegiate and amateur competitions during the last 12 months.

Han also was named to the watch list for the 2007 award. If tabbed as the national player of the year, he will join former UNLV golfer Ryan Moore (2005) and former New Mexico golfer Wil Collins (2001), who both have previously received the award.

The Hogan Award semifinalists will be announced April 16. Three finalists named on May 7 will be invited to Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Hogan Award presentation on the evening of May 18.

2008 Ben Hogan Award Watch List (in alphabetical order)
Jonas Blixt	Florida State
Ryan Brehm	Michigan State
Kevin Chappell	UCLA
Jonas Enander Hedin	Charlotte
Harris English	Georgia
Derek Fathauer	Louisville
Rickie Fowler	Oklahoma State
Rob Grube	Stanford
Chesson Hadley	Georgia Tech
Seung-su Han	UNLV
Brian Harman	Georgia
Mark Harrell	Alabama
Billy Horschel	Florida
Lucas Lee	UCLA
Jamie Lovemark	USC
Clayton Rask	Minnesota
Webb Simpson	Wake Forest
Joel Sjoholm	Georgia State
Kyle Stanley	Clemson
Michael Thompson	Alabama
Jarin Todd	Sonoma State
Cameron Tringale	Georgia Tech
Drew Weaver	Virginia Tech
Stefan Wiedergruen	Charlotte

New PGA Village Slated for Southern Nevada

The PGA of America has announced it will spread "The PGA Experience" to the West, with the development of a PGA Village in Clark and Lincoln Counties in Nevada, just outside Las Vegas.

Construction of the PGA Village at Coyote Springs, scheduled to begin in 2005, will serve as a prime destination for PGA professionals in the western U.S., just as the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been for Eastern golf pros and their guests. The PGA Village at Coyote Springs, with an anticipated opening in 2006, will offer comparable golf courses and facilities as the village in Florida, including a PGA Learning Center and a PGA Historical Center.

The PGA Village at Coyote Springs is the result of a licensing partnership agreement between the PGA of America and Coyote Springs Investment ("CSI"), an affiliate of the Wingfield Nevada Group, based in Reno, Nev.

"The PGA of America is excited about bringing the PGA Village experience to our member professionals in the West," said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Jim L. Awtrey. "The PGA Village brand is an extension of our mission to grow the game of golf, and will offer the best possible facilities to our members and their guests and residents and resort visitors with a growing appetite for golf. Coyote Springs will offer all of the amenities consistent with a carefree golf course lifestyle."

Awtrey said the PGA Village at Coyote Springs will be a western winter home to PGA professionals, just as the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie has become on the East Coast, by providing priority access and rates for PGA professionals. The association plans to host several PGA of America club professional events at Coyote Springs.

Comprising almost 43,000 acres, Coyote Springs will be one of southern Nevada's largest new communities for families, visitors and businesses. The overall project will include a series of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that will be called the Bear Trail, up to six additional courses to be built with additional architects, and other amenities including almost 500 acres of parks, and large expanses of preserved open space, a village spa, a tennis and swim center, a series of hotels, restaurants, multiple town centers and village centers. In addition to the first Nicklaus courses, Phase 1 will include a general store, a welcome center and the initial PGA clubhouse and learning center facilities.

CSI has a partnership with Pardee Homes as the master residential builder for the first development phase.

"The PGA Village experience is not only an exciting opportunity for the residents, visitors and businesses of the Coyote Springs community, but also represents a welcomed addition for Las Vegas, Nevada and the western United States," said Wingfield Nevada Group's owner and founder, Harvey Whittemore. "Together with the PGA, the PGA VillageR designation and the golf facilities that will be built at Coyote Springs, we have the elements of a special community that is certain to become the next great American golf destination, literally next door to the world's most exciting vacation destination."

The PGA of America's first PGA Village is a premier resort community in Port St. Lucie, Fla. It opened in 1996 and, features the award-winning PGA Golf Club, the PGA Learning Center, PGA Historical Center and PGA Education Center. PGA Golf Club, The PGA of America's first owned and operated public golf facility, also has all three of its world-class courses as member of the Audubon International Signature Status for environmental compliance.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Coyote Springs Investment, LLC is an affiliate of the Wingfield Nevada Group, a real estate investment, development and operating company, owned by Harvey and Annette Whittemore. CSI has projects throughout Nevada including Wingield Springs, the Resort at Red Hawk, and the Foothills at Wingfield Springs, in addition to Coyote Springs. With its significant land and water holdings, The Wingfield Nevada Group is one of the largest private landowners and land development companies in Nevada.

Incline Village Golf Courses Ranked One of Golf World’s 100 Best Golf Shops

It was announced recently that the Golf Courses at Incline Village have been ranked as one of Golf World’s 100 Best Golf Shops in America. The Golf Courses at Incline Village are absolutely thrilled with this award and strive to make the Incline Village Golf Shop the best that it can be. This is the first national award recognition the Golf Shop has received.

One of the major contributions to receiving this award is the Golf Shop’s involvement with the golf professionals to grow the junior golf program. Over 100 junior golfers participated in the 2007 program and the Golf Shop added new vendors with products specifically for juniors, selling 31 sets of junior clubs, creating a trade-in/trade up program and adding excitement for future growth. The shop helped to encourage the parents and grandparents to join the juniors in family golf, getting many who have never played or visited the Golf Shop before to be more active participants and customers.

Retail Manager John Nosek said, “It’s a great privilege to have our Golf Shop ranked in the top 100. It places Incline Village in the company of the other elite golf shops in the country and to be in the top 100 golf shops out of thousands makes this a great accomplishment. This award is a credit and recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire golf shop staff, especially Lisa Unger, our merchandiser. We are extremely proud and excited to receive this prestigious award.”

“The customers make the purchases and the employees provide the service that motivates the customers to visit our shops,” he said.

Las Vegas golf packages can heat up the frigid winter months

The cold winter months are swiftly approaching, and for many golfers this is one of the most depressing times of the year. Time to put away the clubs and slog through another season of cold, snowy and damp weather. Time to say goodbye to your golf jones until spring.

Of course, there are alternatives that we're all aware of. Take Las Vegas, for instance. While the term "golf mecca" is terribly overused, if there ever was a place that could be considered a mecca for golf, it would have to be Sin City. Of course, none of this is a secret. Especially in winter, Las Vegas is packed with golfers ready, willing and able to make the trip to this desert oasis. And while prices can skyrocket, there's one simple way to save money while getting your tee times set up - the golf package.

At LasVegasGolf.com, they have several different golf packages for you to choose from that will save money and time and have you preparing for the trip of your life. Here's a look at a couple packages.

Vegas Double-Down Golf Package

Las Vegas is well known for its sprawling, nearly surreal hotels, and the MGM Grand captures the majesty and luxury of Sin City perfectly. With more than 5,000 rooms, a bustling, modern casino, numerous top-flight restaurants and entertainment options right on the famed Las Vegas Strip, you'll have the perfect home base for your golfing excursion.

Book Las Vegas tee times online Paiute Golf Resort a whole other golf world Las Vegas perfect for corporate outings No gamble when it comes to renting clubs in Las Vegas

The three-day, two-night Vegas Double-Down Golf Package will have you staying in luxury and playing in style as you'll have rounds at Revere at Anthem - Concord and Silverstone Golf Course.

The Concord is a Billy Casper and Greg Nash designed course that received a four-and-a-half out of five rating from Golf Digest and measures out at just over 7,000 yards from the back tees.

Silverstone Golf Club offers golfers three separate nines, along with a "28th hole" near the clubhouse. A run that's always been well known to locals, Silverstone has recently been working to give players even more.

"The first thing you notice when you visit Silverstone is how it's striving to be a better golf course," wrote Chris Baldwin in a review of the course. "A new management team is trying to change the way people think of Silverstone, and the quest isn't based on catchy marketing slogans. It's all about the course."

Price Range: $217 - $278 per night.

For more info, call (866) 456-9912.

High Roller Vegas Golf Package

Feeling lucky? You will after a three-night, two-day stay at Mandalay Bay, which is fresh off a sprawling $150-million renovation. Not only will luxury and glitter be your companion at this spectacular hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, but you'll also have numerous dining options, and entertainment that includes the legendary House of Blues.

Click here for more information on Las Vegas golf packages. Click here for a free package quote. Tee times: (866) 456-9912

For golf, the High Roller Vegas Golf Package also delivers, with a choice of two rounds at Rio Secco, Bali Hai Golf Club and the Falls course at Lake Las Vegas.

Rio Secco offers players a layout designed by none other than Rees Jones, while The Falls course at Lake Las Vegas will put you on a Tom Weiskopf-designed masterpiece. Bali Hai, meanwhile, is the only championship course located right on the Strip, and will have you playing a tropical wonderland with seven water features, including its signature island green.

Price Range: $302 - $367 per night.

For more info, call (702) 577-2220.

Angel Park & Legacy Remove Turf to Lower Water Usage

OB Sports Golf Management, the operator of Angel Park and the Legacy Golf Clubs in Las Vegas, recently completed an ambitious turf-removal project intended to limit the amount of out-of-play turf at these golf facilities. The project was conducted in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Approximately 70 acres of turf were removed at Angel Park, a nearly 28 percent reduction of turf overall at the 36-hole facility, while 50 acres were removed at Legacy.

"Despite public perception, golf courses are very efficient users of water," said Phil Green, president of OB Sports. "We have computerized irrigation systems; well-schooled agronomists and superintendents on staff; sophisticated weather monitoring systems that help us efficiently manage water consumption; and a number of years ago we converted from potable water to effluent. Although that's a great start, we are still looking for ways to conserve water and this project is certainly helping us accomplish that goal."

Green explained that Angel Park and Legacy were built in the late 1980's when water was less of a critical issue in Clark County, yet OB Sports has always been extremely conscious with efficient irrigation practices. Now with Southern Nevada in a drought, replacing the turf with desert/xeriscape landscaping is the responsible thing to do.

Roughly 70 acres of turf were removed from Angel Park's two courses and nearly 50 from the 18-hole golf course at the Legacy Golf Club. Since the turf was removed from out-of-play areas, all the courses remained open to public play during the process.

"The new 'Southwest Desert' look has received rave reviews by the golfers," said Bill Rohret, director of maintenance at Angel Park Golf Club. "Some of the regulars have literally stopped me out on the golf course to compliment our work. But not only does it look great, we estimate that we will conserve somewhere around 80 million gallons of water per year."

In the end, the project will improve several aspects of play, including making the courses more visually appealing and appearing like a modern redesign. Although there is less turf, the removal focuses on out-of-play areas where average golfers don't hit anyway. Time spent to play a round should decrease as golf balls will be easier to find in a desert environment than in long rough. Plus, in some areas the turf was removed and sloping mounds were formed in place of the turf to allow errant shots to bounce or roll back onto the playing surface.

Angel Park Golf Club is a 36-hole facility in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Its Mountain Course and Palm Course were both designed by Arnold Palmer. The club also has the 12-hole Cloud Nine Short Course as well as the world’s first natural-grass putting course and an expansive practice area - all lighted for evening play. For more information about Angel Park Golf Club, call 702/254-4653 or visit www.angelpark.com.

The Legacy Golf Club stretches 7,233 yards from the tips and is located 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport. Its 10th hole may be the most recognizable in Las Vegas, with tee boxes in the shape of a spade, club, diamond and heart. The rest of the course is memorable as well, especially the "Devil’s Triangle" - holes 11, 12 and 13, which is crisscrossed with desert canyons and lava outcroppings. For tee times or more information, call 702/897-2187 or visit www.thelegacygc.com.

Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --Reno Chapter is Recipient

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has begun the 2008 golf season awarding teaching grants totaling $90,000 to 18 chapters of The First Tee representing 14 states.

To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.

Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.