Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.
Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.
It was not the Golden Globes or the Academy Awards, but to area professionals of the Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA, it was definitely "their night."
It was the chapter's annual awards banquet last week at the TPC Summerlin, where local professionals made their selection on exactly whom deserved what.
The overall winner was the TPC Canyons. Brian Esposito, the head professional there, not only was unanimously selected by his fellow peers as the 2003 Golf Professional of the Year, but was also chosen as the Merchandiser of the Year for public courses.
Esposito, ever the modest one, credited the staff who surrounds him for this merchandising honor. For the record, his leadership in this category netted him (and them) a spot in Golf World's Top 100 Golf Shops, and that, gang, makes four awards they have now garnered in that particular category.
Esposito richly deserved the Professional of the Year Award as his innovative membership program at the TPC is indicative of his leadership ability. Later in the evening his announcement of a long overdue revamping of the local chapter's tournaments met with resounding acceptance and was further proof of his forward thinking qualities.
(This plan will see the bi- and tri-weekly tournaments feature 15 pro-ams this year as opposed to the normal pro-pro events, which naturally will be terrific for club and non-club amateurs alike.)
Rounding out the TPC Canyon's evening was the announcement of Chad Kaiser's selection as Assistant Professional of the Year. This young man's approach to customers, his work ethic and overall attention to detail made Kaiser a very popular choice.
Dale Akridge of the SouthShore Golf Club received the Merchandiser of the Year Award for private courses, with Brian Hawthorn of the Cascata (Caesars Entertainment) layout garnering the honor for resort courses.
Dick Huff, Director of Golf at the Paiute complex, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. For more than 40 years, Huff has given remarkable and unselfish service to golf, be it junior, amateur or professionals.
SouthShore's Travis Long and his consistent play all year won him the Chapter's Player of the Year Award, with Mike Boss receiving a similar award for the senior division.
Tom Carlson of Craig Ranch was selected as Junior Golf Leader of the Year for his dedication and caring of valley youngsters, while the Teacher of the Year Award went to Mike Davis of Walters Golf.
President, Jan Hansen; vice president, Ryubo Dragovich; secretary, Dollie McPartlin; treasurer, Barbara Kelley; tournament chair person, Diane Jett; delegates, Irene Frank, Doe Emes, Jeanne Hudgins, Laurie Johnson, Kay Medrano, D'Anne Daniels; course rating, Sherry Corsello; team play, Sally Allen, and the rules officiando, Sue May.
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