Michael Dillon (Senior Scratch), Andrew Novotak (Senior Net), George Muhar (Senior Silver Scratch 60-Plus), Mike Lenzi (Senior Silver Net 60-Plus) and Richard Florez (Senior Gold Net) won men’s titles in the 2026 Northern Nevada Senior Amateur. Jeanmarie Walsh (Gross) and Carrie Kenton (Net) were the women’s champions in the Nevada Golf Northern Region tournament held Aug. 29-30, 2026, at Sierra Sage Golf Course.–by Bill Bowman
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Senior Scratch
Michael Dillon played a nine-hole stretch in even-par during the final round in posting a five-stroke victory.
Dillon won for the third time in 2026.
“I played pretty consistent,” Dillon said, “But I was much more consistent today than yesterday even though my score wasn’t as good.”
Dillon said his tournament start was troubling.
“I had two double bogeys to start the first day but from there on out I was pretty solid,” he said. “I had a couple of birdies here and there and just tried to not make any other big scores. I kept it together pretty well.”
He said this win is a little more special.
“It’s the first time I’ve won a two-day event,” he said. “I’m pretty excited about that and I’m looking forward to whatever events are coming next. I’m ready to play more.”
Senior Scratch
Michael Dillon, 75-78—153
Dan Lyons, 75-83—158
David Hashimoto, 84-86—170
Senior Net
A final round 65 helped Andrew Novotak to rally for a scorecard playoff victory for the Senior Net title.
Novotak put a net eagle and seven net birdies on the scorecard in the second round in picking up the victory, his second overall and first in four years.
“I didn’t have the best day (Saturday),” he said. “I shot 90. I was out there trying to do the right thing but I couldn’t get the putts to drop. I also had a seven on the par-3 16th with a couple of penalty strokes.”
Novotak said his bounce-back the second day was due to his play on the greens.
“Today I just went out and thought I didn’t have a chance but I wanted to give it my best,” he said. “I just wanted to try and make a lot of pars. I had a lucky chip-in for birdie, net eagle, on the second hole and just played well. My putter was on fire. I’m usually a decent putter but today it really shined.”
He said these tournaments are a great overall experience.
“I love all the folks that are playing out here,” he said. “That’s just the best thing. Having guys like these out here just make the tournaments that much more fun. They are just fantastic.”
Senior Net
x-Andrew Novotak, 75-65—140
Satch Zuniga, 70-70—140
Eric Bickel, 68-75—143
x-Won scorecard playoff
Senior Silver Scratch 60-Plus
George Muhar parred the last three holes and held on to win the Senior Silver Scratch by two strokes.
It was Muhar’s first win of 2026.
“I had a five-stroke lead coming in and I was just trying to hold on and that’s a bad way to do it,” Muhar said. “We were tied after 15 and what helped me is I had a chip up to about an inch on 16 to save par and Scott three-putted for bogey.”
Muhar added the win has him in a positive frame of mind.
“I’m competing with guys way better than I am,” he said. “And they say you have to learn how to win and hopefully I did that today. When Scott tied me I had a bad outlook but the chip on 16 really got my spirits up. And I had birdie putts on the last two holes so I finished well.”
Senior Silver Scratch 60-Plus
George Muhar, 79-79—158
Scott Moore, 84-76—160
Senior Silver Net 60-Plus
Mike Lenzi had four straight birdies to open the back nine in the final round (two natural and two net) in winning for the first time in 2026.
“That was a good stretch,” Lenzi said of his birdie run. “I finally started making some putts. I was rolling it very well.”
He added that was the difference in the two days.
“I just wasn’t making anything yesterday,” he said. “I was hitting good shots but not making putts to pay those shots off.”
Despite the win, Lenzi was still upset with his finish.
“That wasn’t good,” he said of his triple bogey on the final hole.
“I hit a good drive,” he said. “But the ball wound up in a hole and I was only able to advance it 30 yards. Then I just got too quick with my swing…twice. I hooked my regular shot and my provisional but the provisional ended up in play. I’m thrilled to win but not happy with how I finished because it could have been a really good score.”
Senior Silver Net 60-Plus
Mike Lenzi, 71-74—145
Ryan Ramsey, 70-78—148
Dennis Rash, 78-72—150
Senior Gold Net 70-Plus
Richard Florez had three birdies over the final five holes–one natural and two net–in winning for the first time in 2026.
“I kind of struggled a little but that’s OK,” Florez said. “When you’re 78, it’s hard to put two good rounds together but I played well enough to eke it out.”
Florez said his overall play was solid.
“I drove the ball pretty well and kept it in play,” he said. “I didn’t putt very well and didn’t make a birdie until my very last hole.”
He added his health is now getting in a better spot to let him play.
“I went from a 6.2 handicap to a 13.2 trying to play through sciatica,” he said. “I finally ended up getting treatments with acupuncture and the gal did a miracle job. After five treatments I started feeling better and my game finally started to come back.”
Senior Gold Net 70-Plus
Richard Florez, 72-77—149
John Fraser, 81-75—156
WOMEN
Gross
Jeanmarie Walsh won for the third time in 2026, posting a 10-stroke win in the Gross Division.
It was Walsh’s first individual title to go along with a two-person team title in the Hat Cutler Women’s Team Series and a win in the Nevada State Women’s Quad tournament.
“I had a pretty consistent two days,” Walsh said. “It’s good to play consistent golf. I just stayed down the middle and relied on my short game. The weekend was really fairly boring.”
She said she her work on the greens was part of the inconsistency she wants to work on.
“I want my putter to be a little more clutch,” she said. “My putter saved me quite a bit yesterday but it wasn’t as hot today.”
But the win put her in a positive frame of mind.
“Overall, I feel good about how I’m playing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to finishing out the year strong.”
Gross
Jeanmarie Walsh, 82-81—163
Elaine Simpson, 83-90—173
Sue Oliver, 99-93—192
Net
Carrie Kenton posted four straight net birdies on the scorecard midway through the final round in winning the Net title.
It was Kenton’s first win of 2026.
Kenton added two net eagles over the two days–one each day–en route to the win.
“I’m excited to win…especially the way I played yesterday,” Kenton said. “I had six three-putts yesterday. I went home after the round and practiced my putting. I walked in today with a better mindset.”
She said while she’s happy with her second-round improvement, she’s not satisfied.
“You can always improve,” she said. “But I really can’t beat the round I had today. I hit my approach shots much closer, putted better and I was under my handicap on a long course so I feel really good.”
Net
Carrie Kenton, 72-66—138
April Higuera, 73-72—145
