Columnist Victoria Sun: May to return to Nevada Open

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000 | 9:52 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria@lasvegassun.com

PGA Tour professional Bob May will be back at the Nevada Open next week to try to defend his title.

May, a Summerlin resident who played on the tour this year for only the second time of his nine-year professional career, had his most success this time around.

The 32-year-old finished in the top 10 in three events and the top 25 in 10 events, and is 29th on the money list with $1,557,720.

At the PGA Championship last April, May pushed Tiger Woods to an unforgettable playoff before getting beat on the third playoff hole. Not losing, but getting beat.

"We're happy to have him back," Southern Nevada Golf Association assistant executive director Larry McGovern said. "We're very proud of his performance on the PGA Tour this year.

"He's probably one of the most pleasant and friendly individuals on the tour."

Up for grabs in the open division is a total purse of $60,000 with $9,000 going to the winner. In the senior division the total prize money is $11,400 with the winner earning $2,000.

The tournament will be played at the Casablanca Golf Club and the Oasis Golf Club in Mesquite starting Dec. 6. The field of about 216 will be split between the two clubs and the players will tee off daily with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

"We're hoping for a break from the weather," McGovern said. "We've had 40 mph winds and 40-degree temperatures."

The final round will be played solely at the Casablanca on Dec. 8.

Henderson resident and PGA Tour pro Craig Barlow, Casablanca head professional Bob Ault, Shadow Creek head professional Monte Montgomery and former UNLV golfers Chris Berry and Warren Schutte are among the other locals entered.

Amateur Brady Exber, ranked No. 1 in the SNGA standings, BYU's Billy Harvey, Greg Horodesky and Kelly Knievel are the local amateurs who have been invited to play based on their ranking.

The Nevada Open is free for spectators.