Amateur Abbott keeps playing, keeps winning
In his 70s, Las Vegan’s competitive fire burns
Frank Abbott moved to Las Vegas from Napa, California, with wife Fran in 2013.
In December of that year, Abbott played in the Southern Nevada Golf Association
Amateur at Cascata and shot his age of 70 in the first round. He coasted to the victory in the silver division
(60 and older) and ever since has dominated the SNGA unlike any player in any division in history.
Abbott, 74, has won 44 SNGA silver division tournaments, including two Nevada State Senior Amateur titles. He also has won three straight silver division gross player of the year awards, with a fourth most likely this year. He leads the standings by 132 points over Kevin Parrish.
Abbott has won nine times in 2017, most recently demolishing the field by 10 shots at the Nevada State Senior Amateur at Las Vegas National.
Abbott also has enjoyed success on the national stage. In April, he won the Grand Masters division at the prestigious Society of Seniors Senior Masters tournament at Indian Wells in Palm Springs, Calif.
The 956 members of the Society of Seniors include every living U.S. Senior Amateur Champion, numerous Walker Cup players and captains, and former U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-amateur, British Amateur and British Senior Amateur Champions.
In 2003, Abbott lost in the finals of the U.S. Senior Amateur to Kemp Richardson, one of the world’s top senior amateurs at the time. That finish earned Abbott a spot in the
U.S. Mid-amateur and the 2004 U.S. Senior Open, where he was paired for two days with Gary Player.
“He was totally absorbed in golf and lived and breathed it,” Abbott said. “He was very talkative during the practice round, but then very quiet during the tournament rounds.”
Player and Abbott share a certain fountain of youth quality, so it seems as if the pairing might have been a harbinger of things to come.
“I have been wondering how long this will continue because I’m 74 now,” Abbott said. “I think maybe what has helped is there were long periods of time in my life when I didn’t play competitive golf, so I’m not burned out. I’m still very interested in competing.”
Kang brings energy to USA
TPC Summerlin member Danielle Kang won three matches at the Solheim Cup and was a major part of Team USA’S victory over the Europeans last weekend in Iowa.
Kang defeated Emily Pedersen 3 and 1 Sunday on the final day, aided by making a long birdie putt on the sixth hole that put her 1-up.
After Kang went undefeated in two matches on the first day, Golfworld reporter Keely Levins wrote that Kang was “built” for the Solheim Cup.
“It makes sense that she’s comfortable at her first Solheim Cup,” Levins wrote. “First, she’s had success in match-play events: She won back-toback U.S. Women’s Amateur titles in 2010 and 2011. But, more importantly, the event fits her personality. She’s competitive, energetic, has a good sense of humor and isn’t afraid to show emotion.”
Deal of the week
A $49 rate is available for Nevada residents at Coyote Springs through Sept. 10 and includes golf, cart and lunch.
Stars on, off course
Dragonridge teaching pro Mike Davis will appear on “Morning Drive” on Golf Channel on Wednesday and Aug. 31 as the guest instructor.
“I’m very excited for lots of reasons, and one is that we will stay at Bay Hill,” Davis said. “Mr. (Arnold) Palmer was the best. I met him quite a few times and played a couple holes with him.”
The golf notebook appears Thursdays. Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt is a two-time author who has covered golf in Las Vegas for more than two decades. He can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @ Lvgolfinsider on Twitter.