RENO (Aug. 27, 2026)–David Hashimoto (Senior Scratch), Damon Rogers (Senior Net), Sheldon Kop (Senior Silver Scratch 60-Plus), Shaun Benninghove (Senior Silver Net 60-Plus) and Alan Krogness (Senior Gold Net 70-Plus) won men’s titles in the 2026 Dayton Valley Senior. April Higuera (Gross) and Cindy Fladager (Net) won women’s titles in the one-day Northern Region event held Aug. 27, 2026 at Dayton Valley Golf Club.–by Bill Bowman
MEN
Senior Scratch
David Hashimoto won for the second time in 2026, posting four birdies on the back nine in winning the Senior Scratch by two strokes.
Hashimoto said win came about because of a mindset change.
“I’ve got to give a shoutout to my son, Harrison (age 20),” Hashimoto said. “I’ve learned a lot from him over the last year and a half. Being able to hear his advice and wisdom has helped me grow. When the teacher becomes the student…that’s parenting in a nutshell.”
He said his round was one that could have gone off the rails.
“The last three holes on the front nine I was thinking…what are you doing?’ ” he said of his double bogey-bogey-double bogey final three holes. “I was just trying to get out of a funk and I managed to do that on the back. My putting and approaches really helped me get things going in the right direction.”
He added his turnaround has him in a positive frame of mind.
“I’m very happy with the way I finished,” he said. “This was the first time I was able to recover the way I did. I’m hoping that’s showing progress and maturity if you will.”
Senior Scratch
David Hashimoto, 76
Cody Koch, 78
Michael Dillon, 80
Senior Net
Damon Rogers recorded two net eagles and six net birdies en route to winning the Senior Net crown in a scorecard playoff.
It was Rogers’ first win of 2026.
“This was the best I’ve played all year,” Rogers said. “I literally had two bad holes and that was it.”
Ah, yes….the two bad holes.
“I played really well coming down the front nine and then dumped it in the water on No. 9 and took a double,” he said. “The mind starts reeling a little. Then I hit it a little left on 10 and we couldn’t find the ball and I wound up with a triple.”
He quickly righted the ship with one of the net eagles on the 11th hole.
“I got it back on track and really played pretty well down the stretch,” he said. “It’s been like that all year. I’ve been striping the ball and playing well and then I’ll lose focus and have a bad nine or something. Today I got it back together.”
Senior Net
x-Damon Rogers, 66
Trace Stiegman, 66
Robert Stone, 85
x-Won scorecard playoff
Senior Silver Scratch (60-Plus)
Sheldon Kop played the final six holes in one-over-par in winning by four strokes.
It was Kop’s first win of 2026.
“The beginning was not so good,” he said. “But I got warmed up and got the nerves calmed down and played better on the back. Seven, eight and nine are tough holes and I knew it got a little easier on the back so I just tried to stay in the game until I got to the back.”
He said the win helps the confidence going forward.
“It makes me feel like I can still get it done,” he said. “I just had to trust my swing. It wasn’t that far off and I got it turned around nicely.”
Senior Silver Scratch (60-Plus)
Sheldon Kop, 81
Thane McCall, 85
Scott Moore, 85
Senior Silver Net (60-Plus)
Shaun Benninghove carded an even-par 36 on the final nine to win in a scorecard playoff.
It was Benninghove’s first win of 2026.
Benninghove overcame a quad on the ninth hole to win.
“It was an interesting day, that’s for sure,” Benninghove said. “I just tried to let the bad holes go and keep looking forward. I played pretty well on the back so it was a good finish.”
He added his play off the tee and around the greens was key.
“My driving kept me in it,” he said. “And my wedge play was good. But my putting could have been a lot better. It was horrible.”
Benninghove added his confidence is on the rise.
“It really feels good to win,” he said. “It’s too bad it’s so late in the season but hopefully I can finish strong.”
Senior Silver Net (60-Plus)
x-Shaun Benninghove, 74
Randy Steele, 74
Mike Lenzi, 76
x-Won scorecard playoff
Senior Gold Net (70-Plus)
Alan Krogness posted three natural birdies in winning for the first time in 2026.
“I was just hitting my shots today and I hit some good putts,” he said. “These are always great events…and it brings out the best in people.”
He said his finish was both good and bad.
“I had to hit two shots out of the bunker on 18,” he said with a laugh. “But then I made a nice putt for a sandy par.”
He said the course is also growing on him.
“I won here last year so this course seems to suit my game,” he said.
Senior Gold Net (70-Plus)
Alan Krogness, 73
Bruce Jackson, 75
John Fraser, 78
WOMEN
Gross
April Higuera won for the third time in 2026–two individual titles and a team title–in winning the Gross Division.
Higuera posted a birdie to open her back nine en route to the victory.
“It was a nice, calm day,” she said. “My putting and wedge game saved me today…same as last time.”
She said her game is in a good place.
“I won the club championship Monday at Silver Oak so I’m feeling really good about my game,” she said.
Gross
April Higuera, 81
Sue Oliver, 100
Robin Richman, 114
Net
Cindy Fladager posted three net birdies–including one on the final hole–to win the Net title in a scorecard playoff.
It was Fladager’s second win of 2026 after winning the season-opening event.
“I’m very happy,” Fladager said. “My drives and chipping were good today and I finished the round well. my game is better so this was fun.”
She said there’s still work to be done with her game.
“I putted better on the back than on the front and I don’t know why but I’ll take it,” she said. “I’ve got to figure that out.”
Net
x-Cindy Fladager, 73
Jana Garner, 73
x-Won scorecard playoff
