Brady Exber is the most decorated amateur golfer in Southern Nevada history and arguably the most accomplished in Nevada golf history. He added another achievement to his remarkable career with a tie for sixth place at the historic 2026 R&A Senior Amateur, held in July at Frilford Heath Golf Club in England. Photo: Brady Exber, Captain of the club, Champion Bryan Hoops, John Wright.
In the fourth and final round, Exber fired a 69 to shoot his age (70) and earn the championship’s top 65-and-over honors.
“It’s a privilege to have an exemption into a national championship like this, and I’m very grateful for it,” said Exber, who won the R&A Senior Amateur title in 2014. “Not every major tournament offers that opportunity. It’s great to be able to plan your schedule, prepare the right way and know you’ll have the chance to compete.”
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Exber is a nine-time Southern Nevada Golf Association Player of the Year and a member of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame, Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame.
Shooting his age is a rare accomplishment under any circumstances. Doing it in the final round of one of the world’s most prestigious senior amateur championships made it even more meaningful. The championship was played on Frilford Heath’s Red and Blue courses.
“The Blue Course had four really difficult opening holes, and I told eventual champion Brian Hoops during our practice round that those first four holes could decide the tournament,” Exber said. “When I got there for my second round, I played those holes in 3-under par. Later in the round, with about five holes to play, I realized I had a chance to shoot my age. I started thinking about it too much, made a couple of bogeys coming in and shot 71. So that didn’t quite work out.
“The next day I played terribly, but on the final day I got off to another good start and kept it going. I kept telling myself to stay focused because I had another chance to shoot my age. This time I finished with a 69, beating my age by one shot. For not winning the tournament, that was still a pretty cool accomplishment.”
Exber remains fully engaged in competitive golf and is encouraged by the way his game is trending. In addition to his finish in England, he recently posted top-10 finishes at the George Thomas Invitational at Los Angeles Country Club and the National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame Championship in North Carolina.
“I was really happy with how things turned out,” Exber said. “If you had told me beforehand that I was going to finish in the top 10 in England, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I didn’t think I had much of a chance. I played really well the first two rounds, and that gave me some confidence. The biggest thing for me is that I’m happy with the result. It’s been a long time since I’ve played that well in a major tournament.”
Returning to the championship each year under his exemption also gives Exber an opportunity to reflect on his 2014 victory.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised that I won because I worked very hard to reach that level of golf, but I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to do it,” Exber said. “I’m also grateful that I was able to afford to compete and had the time to dedicate to the game. I’m happy that it happened at Ganton because it’s such a difficult golf course, and that makes the victory even more meaningful.”
Brady Exber, R&A First Tee Starter (Mike), friend/caddy Neil Hughes.
