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Brian Hurlburt

SilverStone Golf Club residents hope for holiday miracle

The now closed Silverstone Golf Club clubhouse is seen boarded Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A monument sign directs people to the Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Evidence of a two-wheel vehicle is seen along the golf course at the now-closed Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Weeds are seen growing over one of the tee boxes at the now closed Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
An empty water fountain is seen at the entrance of the closed Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A notice from the City of Las Vegas is taped to fencing at the entrance of the closed Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A notice is tied to fencing at the entrance of the closed Silverstone Golf Club Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A water feature is seen half filled at the closed Silverstone golf course Monday, May 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
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By BRIAN HURLBURT SPECIAL TO THE LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
December 22, 2016 - 2:24 am
 

Plenty has been written about recent local golf course closures. The details of lawsuits, bankruptcies and court hearings surrounding the cases of SilverStone Golf Club and Badlands Golf Club have been covered in depth.

Additional stories most likely will be written this week because the SilverStone case returns to federal and bankruptcy courts to continue the legal fight between residents and the new and former owners.

What has been overlooked in those news stories is the personal impact the closures have had on everyday golfers and residents. One of those many SilverStone residents is Candi Schmidtke, who is working tirelessly to bring awareness to the situation.

Candi’s husband, Rick, was a member of the course, and they moved to Las Vegas from Washington state about six years ago to retire. The plan was for Rick to play golf as much as possible on his home layout, and they would entertain friends and family, using the course as a beautiful backdrop and amenity.

That all changed when Rick received a letter in September 2015 revealing that the course was being sold. Before anyone knew it, it not only was sold but also closed, and the irrigation water was shut off.

The tee boxes, fairways and greens quickly turned from emerald green to desert brown. According to Candi Schmidtke, a judge’s order to restore the condition of the course and green open spaces has been ignored by the previous owner and is a focus of the court proceedings.

“I feel the most sadness for the community because it really has broken the community up,” she said. “It was the dream of so many to retire on a golf course and be a part of an active community. My saddest moments are to walk around and hear the stories and see how it has impacted people. But it is also a family community, and to not see kids and families out enjoying the environment because of this situation is heart breaking. I’m also fighting so hard because this area once had such beautiful green open spaces with wildlife.”

Schmidtke started a Twitter account, Save SilverStone Golf, and passes out fliers to create awareness. She and others are hoping for a course buyer or other positive resolution.

At this time of year, they are hoping for a holiday miracle.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Four players were crowned last weekend in the Las Vegas Junior Golf Association Championship at Cascata. The event featured top tournament winners from throughout the season in a match-play format.

Arbor View High School junior Cameron Gambini won the boys 15-18 division, and Coronado freshman Logan Bleazard won the boys 12-14 division.

Hyde Park Middle School eighth-grader Rianna Mission won the girls 15-18 division, and Greenspun Middle School eighth-grader Cassidy Phelan won the girls 12-14 division.

SNGA NET CHAMPIONS

Joe Benson won the open net division at the SNGA Championship at Cascata. Bryan Link was the senior net division champion, and John Kelley won the Super Senior net division.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Get two rounds of golf, one each at Boulder City and Boulder Creek courses, for $70. The offer expires Dec. 31, but golfers have two weeks to play the second round.

STARS ON, OFF COURSE

UNLV junior golfer Shintaro Ban was named Northern California Golf Association player of the year during a recent ceremony at Poppy Hills course in Pebble Beach, California. He became the 11th player in NCGA history to win the California Amateur Championship and the NCGA Amateur Match Play Championship. They were the only two official association tournaments he played in during the season.

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.

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