Nelson Wallac, Scott Edwards, John Allen, Ricardo Almeida, and Chris Rodgers all won the Western States Icebreaker hosted by the Paiute Resort!
The Western States Icebreaker at Paiute Resort served as the unofficial launch of the 2025 season for our west coast members. Over 100 competitors from 24 Local Tours across the country experienced the challenging courses of Sun Mountain and Snow Mountain. Las Vegas provided the perfect backdrop for the second event in the Regional Series and marks the 31st anniversary of the Golfweek Amateur Tour.
Despite the cold and windy conditions on Sunday, Wallace Nelson (Arizona) maintained his wire-to-wire lead in the Championship Flight and finished with rounds of 76-86-162. Las Vegas Tour Director, Randy Merrill, finished two shots back in second place (85-79-164). Third place went to our 2024 National Champion, Bryce Benson (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), with a total score of 166. Rounding out the top five spots were Brad Silcox (Arizona) with 171 and Andres Lopes (Hilton Head/Savannah) at 179.
In the A Flight, Scott Edwards (Hilton Head/Savannah) led the field from start to finish with rounds of 80-83-163 for a four-shot victory. Brian Eastman (Arizona) finished second at 167 followed by Kain Savoy (Louisianna South) and Bill McKiegan (Arizona) both with two-day totals of 171. Alex Hofbauer (Las Vegas, NV) and brand-new Pacific NW Tour Director, Julio Garcia (Pacific NW) rounded out the top five at 175.
In the B Flight, John Allen (Arizona), Jared Lanham (El Paso, TX/Las Cruces, NM), and Sam Forester (Louisiana North) all finished tied for first with a score of 179. During the sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole, Lanham's drive found the water, while both Allen and Forester reached the green in two shots. After taking a drop, Lanham’s approach shot landed approximately 25 feet from the hole and rolled in to save par. Allen two-putted for par, while Forester three-putted for bogey. On the second playoff hole, both Allen and Lanham reached the green in two. In the end, Lanham's three-putt compared to Allen's two-putt determined the outcome and left Allen hoisting the trophy.
In the C Flight, Ricardo Almeida (El Paso, TX/Las Cruces, NM) surged from six shots behind to take first place with a two-day total of 95-89-184. Jon Calderon (El Paso, TX/Las Cruces, NM), who led after the first day, finished in second place with a total score of 187. Jamie Perkins (Louisiana South) claimed third place (189), while Frank Mayfield (Arizona) and Ryan Wood (Arizona) tied for fourth, both finished with scores of 190.
In the D Flight, Chris Rogers (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX) and Will Spittle (Tidewater, VA) were tied after 36 holes, each posting a score of 193. Rogers triumphed over Spittle in the one-hole playoff and secured the crystal trophy with a two-day total of 93-100-193. Our favorite slot machine pro, otherwise known as Hector Lara from Arizona, took third place solo with a score of 194. Po Lehman (Tampa, FL) and Ryan Cabrera (Las Vegas, NV) followed close behind and rounded out the top five, with scores of 195.
The Golfweek Amateur Tour operates local Tours in over 45 markets across the country and hosts both one-day and two-day tournaments. To get your tour card, visit www.amateurgolftour.net, complete the Join the Tour form, pay your annual membership, and come celebrate are 31st anniversary while become part of the oldest and largest nationwide amateur golf tour in the United States. The Senior Amateur Tour also hosts both one-day and two-day tournaments in markets nationwide and is open to players 50 years of age and older. Consider joining us for our 27th anniversary this season by visiting www.senioramateurgolftour.net completing a Join the Tour form, and paying your annual membership for one of our 25 local Tours.