Columnist Peter Benton: Southwest Section hands out awards

Peter Benton

Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 | 9:11 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The Rio Secco Golf Club was the site of last week's Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA awards banquet.

This section, which has one of the smallest memberships in the United States, has the distinction of donating the largest amount of money of any section in the country to the New York City Relief Fund -- a whopping $107,000. That is a credit to Southwest Section president Jim Murphy and his committee. In addition, $2,000 was given to the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association.

Other highlights from the dinner included chapter president Dale Akridge naming Fred Smith as person of the year for his contributions to the sport.

Rich Fite, a professional for what seems like eons and the holder of every office and chapter award imaginable, received a special recognition award.

Chapter secretary Mathew Grobe of Rhodes Ranch presented Akridge, South Shore's head pro, with the junior golf leader of the year award for his outstanding work with the SNJGA. Akridge also was presented with the golf professional of the year award for his all-around leadership and dedication to both golf and the chapter.

Angle Park's Mike Davis was selected teacher of the year, Brian Esposito of the TPC Canyons received the merchandiser of the year (resort), with Jason Edminston of the TPC Summerlin accepting a similar award for private clubs.

Wes Weston of Shadow Creek was awarded player of the year honors in recognition of his consistency throughout 2001 while Jim Kirwan of Willow Creek in Pahrump received the senior player of the year award.

TPC Canyon's Chad Kaiser won low stroke average for the year while Spanish Trail's Jerry Roberts won for the senior division.

New members of the board elected to assist Akridge and Grobe are Brian Hawthorne (Cascade), John Sanders (Anthem) and Mark Sutherland (Spanish Trail).