CARSON CITY (May 3, 2026)–Luke Swanson (Scratch) and Doug Rischbieter (Net) won men’s titles in the 2026 Carson City Toyota Capital City Classic. Emily Byrne (Gross) and Jessi Himphill (Net) won women’s titles in the Nevada Golf Northern Region tournament held May 2-3, 2026, at Silver Oak Golf Course.–by Bill Bowman
MEN’S
Scratch
Luke Swanson survived a weather-delay and a three-way playoff to win the Scratch Division.
Swanson, a junior at Bishop Manogue High School, said the win will help his confidence going forward.
“This was my first win in the men’s division and came at a great time as we have regionals Monday and Tuesday,” he said. “I’m looking forward to keeping it going.”
Swanson added his play off the tee was solid both days, but his play on the greens wasn’t up to par.
“I didn’t miss a lot of fairways and out here that makes the greens super getable,” he said. “It gave me a lot of good looks at birdies but I didn’t make as many birdies today as yesterday. That’s something I’ll work on.”
But, he did make one when it counted…in the playoff.
“That was nice,” he said of the winning birdie. “I hit a nice second shot just short of the green and lagged it up to about four-and-a-half feet and made it for birdie.”
Swanson said his focus was good both days.
“The key for me was just to keep fighting and stick to my game,” he said. “I didn’t have my best stuff, especially putting. But I stayed focused and my putter did make some crucial par putts that kept me in the tournament.”
Scratch
x-Luke Swanson, 63-72—135
Trent Virden, 70-65—135
Kyle Prolo, 65-70—145
Net
Doug Rischbieter’s consistency to start and end both rounds–a net birdie on the first hole both days and a net eagle on the 18th hole both days–helped him post a six-shot victory.
“Today was the first time I broke 80 in my life,” Rischbieter said. “I would have done it yesterday but I had a blowup hole so today I came back with a vengeance.”
The first and 18th hole success over the two days excited Rischbieter.
“It was great to start and end the rounds that way,” he said. “Today, I thought about going for it in two on 18 but laid up and had a regular birdie for a net eagle. It was a great way to end the two days.”
It was Rischbieter’s first tournament win.
“In the offseason, I really put in a lot of practice so I’m really excited about the way I played,” he said.
Rischbieter said he was definitely nervous heading into the final round.
“When I found out I was leading after yesterday, I was shaking,” he said. “And then today, between the weather delay and a blowup hole, it was a challenge. I just took deep breaths and tried to play it smart and it all worked out.”
Net
Doug Rischbieter, 69-67—136
Rick Kauffman, 73-69—142
Dnaiel Cheeney, 69-78—147
WOMEN’S
Gross
Emily Byrne posted an eagle, two birdies and 26 pars over the two days in breezing to the Gross title.
Byrne also won this tournament in 2025.
In Day 1, Byrne recorded her eagle but didn’t have a birdie. The second day, she put two birdies on the scorecard.
“I had a blast,” Byrne said. “I played really relaxed golf and didn’t make any dumb decisions.”
She said her first nine holes of the tournament were on the strange side.
“It was a weird nine holes,” she said. “I didn’t have any birdies or bogeys…all pars. I got the eagle on the back so it wound up a pretty solid day.”
Byrne said the second day was just a matter of working on her game.
“I was just trying to swing easy,” she said. “I didn’t want to do anything wild. I put the driver away when I needed to and just tried to play smart. I had good ball-contact and I just need to keep that going.”
Gross
Emily Byrne, 72-73—145
Sue Oliver, 97-97—194
Marla Williams, 108-92—200
Net
Jessi Himphill had seven net birdies over the two days–three in the first round and four in the final round–in winning the Net crown.
It was Himphill’s first title.
“It was a good two days for me,” she said. “I had good vibes and the right amount of energy…and a lot of positivity.”
Himphill said it hasn’t always been that way mentally.
“I wasn’t going to play in any tournaments again,” she said. “I’ve only played in two individual tournaments because I get in my own head too much and it made me start hating golf. I got back into the team series and all the ladies talked me into entering. I’ve really worked on my mental positivity and to have two good rounds…I’m just glad it all worked out.”
She added her seven net birdies were a surprise.
“That’s really good for me,” she said. “I didn’t know what I had out there. But, I still have a lot of work to do. My putting needs a lot more work. I had a lot of putts that I could have gotten closer so I didn’t three-putt.”
Net
Jessi Himphill, 76-74—150
Eloise Lieberman, 95-82—177
