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Wednesday, March 14, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Two changes announced in local course management

Lawson, Bridgeman accept new positions

Two of the top teaching professionals in Southern Nevada are moving into new positions.

Cliff Lawson, the director of instruction at DragonRidge Golf Club in Henderson, has been promoted to an unnamed post, though Lawson said his duties will be the equivalent of being the general manager.

Jesse Bridgeman, the director of instruction for Walters Golf, has been named director of golf for the three Sun City Summerlin courses -- Highland Falls, Palm Valley and Eagle Crest.

Lawson has worked in a variety of areas in Las Vegas. He was instrumental in bringing the John Jacobs Golf School to Las Vegas when he was a teacher at Angel Park. He then worked as director of instruction at Walters Golf before leaving last summer to join DragonRidge.

Lawson said DragonRidge owner Rich MacDonald approached him with the offer and said he would allow him to continue to teach.

"I couldn't have done this without that," Lawson said of teaching. "That's a big key for me. I'm a teacher, and I have to do that. But I'm going to oversee the entire operation and try to see if we can get this thing on the right track."

Lawson, who replaces Kurt Greve, said Chuck Hardy will remain the head professional.

Bridgeman's situation is more unique. A longtime instructor for the Arnold Palmer Golf Academies and one of only eight master professionals certified by Palmer, Bridgeman will continue as director of instruction for Walters Golf while overseeing the Sun City Summerlin courses.

Bridgeman said his commitments to the Palmer Academy are few, and that will leave him time to teach for Walters, which operates Desert Pines, Bali Hai, Royal Links and Stallion Mountain, while also managing Eagle Crest, Highland Falls and Palm Valley.

• USGA EVENT -- The United States Golf Association will conduct a Regional Green Section Conference at Canyon Gate Country Club on March 28. Registration fee is $45 per person for USGA Members and representatives of USGA Member Facilities.

• HOLE-IN-ONE -- Las Vegan Erin Senkins made a hole in one Monday on the Cloud Nine course at Angel Park. She used a 7-wood from 126 yards on the ninth hole. Her feat was witnessed by Levi Terranova.

• BALI HAI -- The Bali Hai Golf Club is the subject of a large photo and brief story in the April issue of Golf Digest, on stands now. A photo, spanning more than a full page of the magazine, shows a look at the seventh hole with Mandalay Bay in the background.

The writer, Jim Moriarty, said: "For those who find (its South Pacific theme) contrived, look on the bright side. They could have built "Oklahoma!"

Kevin Iole may be reached by phone at 396-4428, by fax at 396-4408 or by e-mail at Kevin_Iole@lasvegas.com.