History made at 16th annual Mesquite Amateur with back-to-back low gross champion
Weeklong tournament ends in sudden death playoff
By Tara Trovato
This past week, more than 600 amateur golfers made their way to Mesquite to participate in one of the most anticipated golf tournaments of the year. Mesquite Gaming, owner of the Casablanca Resort and Virgin River Hotel, hosted the 16th annual Mesquite Amateur, and two players came away victorious: Mesquite Amateur overall champion Stan Richins out of Yuba City, California, and low gross champion Gigi Higgins from Cape Coral, Florida.
Richins was able to successfully fend off Patti Howard of New Carney, Texas, in a sudden death, two-hole playoff round June 1. Higgins made tournament history by being the first player to defend her title as back-to-back low-gross champion.
“Every year, we get more players interested in coming out and participating in the Mesquite Amateur,” said Christian Adderson, tournament director for Mesquite Gaming. “The camaraderie, both on and off the course, is really what makes this tournament so special, and we are incredibly grateful to our more than 50 local volunteers and tournament sponsors: Mesquite Gaming, Mesquite Resort Association, Taylormade, Adidas, and Callaway.”
Mesquite Gaming also gives back to the community during this event each year. On May 30, players took a moment to pay tribute to one of their favorite players and watch as one Virgin Valley High School senior, Makenzie Leishman, was awarded with a scholarship for $6,500. Since 2013, Mesquite Gaming and the Bruce King Memorial Board have rewarded one senior with a scholarship in memory of King, who participated in the first 10 years of the Mesquite Amateur before passing away of cancer in 2012. Leishman has gone above and beyond throughout her high school career and is well deserving of the single largest local scholarship award. She is the vice president of the National Honor Society and senior class treasurer at her school among many other exceptional accomplishments. Leishman plans to continue her education and earn a degree in business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship.
For more information about the Mesquite Amateur, visit casablancaresort.com/golf or follow Mesquite Gaming on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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