Mohlman shoots 69 to take Clark County Amateur

If J.T. Mohlman ever realizes his dream of playing on the PGA Tour, he'll remember Sunday as a benchmark moment in his golfing life.

The 19-year-old Las Vegan, who did not play high school golf because he was home-schooled, won his first Southern Nevada Golf Association tournament, shooting a final-round 3-under-par 69 to capture the Clark County Amateur at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Mohlman's two-day total of 141 was two shots better than Joe Sawaia and Vince Collet, who tied for second at 143.

"I just tried to keep it in play," Mohlman said of winning the SNGA's second major of 2011. "I didn't putt all that well, but I made a few crucial putts."

One of those was a 15-foot birdie putt at No. 16. Mohlman had birdied No. 15 thanks to a 3-foot tap-in. But when he drained the longer putt at 16, he said he felt like he was in control of the tournament.

"To get back-to-back birdies at that point was big," Mohlman said. "But my ball-striking has been really consistent recently, and my short game has been good. I have to give a lot of credit to my coach, Erik Horve. He's been working with me the last three years, and he's improved every aspect of my game."

There was a point during Sunday's final round when Collet appeared to be the man to catch. He went birdie-birdie-eagle on Nos. 3 through 5 and played his front nine in 4-under 32. But Collet was unable to keep it going over the final nine holes and wound up with a 1-under 71.

First-round leader Emmanuel Estes was unable to finish what he started, ballooning to a 5-over 77 after a first-round 2-under 70. He wound up tied for seventh at 147.

Mohlman said he has had no offers to play golf in college, and he's prepared to bypass higher education so he can pursue his goal of one day playing on the PGA Tour.

"If college happens, that's fine," he said. "But I'm going to do what I have to in order to achieve my dream. My parents have been very supportive, and they've sacrificed a lot to help me."

Joe Rada won the Net Division, carding consecutive rounds of 4-under 68 for a 136 total. Rob Zoine shot 69 Sunday and finished second at 140.

"I was very consistent," said Rada, 49, who has a 4 handicap and won the County Amateur for the second time. "No mistakes. No big misses."

In the Senior County Amateur, Doug Pool shot 67-71 to win with a 138 total, seven shots clear of second-place Steven Fink. Bill Spencer beat John Garrett in a three-hole playoff to capture the Senior Net Division after both finished regulation at 140.

In the Super Seniors (60 and over), Richard Schroeder won with a 141 total, six shots ahead of Chip Bridges. Jim Cail claimed the Super Seniors Net Division at 137, with Russell Gard second at 141.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter @stevecarprj.