Tom Whitney recorded rounds of 69-67-66—202 to win the Nevada Open played last week at CasaBlanca Golf Club and The Palms Golf Club in the golf destination of Mesquite, Nev. Whitney earned $25,000 for the win, returning this year to finish one spot better than he did in 2014. Whitney finished this year’s Nevada Open at 14 under par to win by two strokes over former UNLV Golfer Kurt Kitayama. The 2014 champion, Sean Harlingten, from West Vancouver, British Columbia, finished in a tie for third with Matt Miller, from Bloomington, Ill. at 11 under par.
“Coming back here for the second year in a row and after what happened last year makes winning a little more special,” said Whitney, who won four collegiate tournaments while playing for the Air Force Academy. “I birdied four of the first five holes of the final round, and that really put me in a great position to win. Obviously the birdie on the last hole was important as well, but the fast start was the key. This is a great tournament that always has the cream of the crop playing in it so I knew I would have to play very well to win, and fortunately I did.”
Jose Pelayo, a senior on the University of Utah golf team, was the low amateur with rounds of 72-77—149. He didn’t make the cut to the final round.
All scores and information are available at NVOpen.com.
The Nevada Open is one of the most historic golf tournaments to be held annually in Nevada. The total purse for 2015 was $125,000, the largest amount in history. The event has been played for more than 40 years and includes such former champions as PGA Tour winners Robert Gamez and Tom Lehman, and former Nike Tour tournament winner and current Butch Harmon School of Golf teaching professional Vic Wilk. Another former champion is Kevin Penner—now a tour player—who won the Nevada Open in 2012 while still an amateur and playing at national college powerhouse UNLV.
“Mesquite has been a wonderful golf destination for many years, and hosting the Nevada Open each year is one of our favorite things to do,” said Christian Adderson, tournament director. “Because of our great destination, big purse and quality golf courses, we can attract a sold-out field of players and some of the top young players who are on their way to the PGA Tour in the future.”
For the first time, Nevada Open week included a pro-am prior to the professional competition. The event raised $1,000 for Mesquite Junior Golf, which will go towards growing the sport among youngsters in the Mesquite area.
