In the span of 25 minutes, eventual 2026 Nevada State Amateur Champion Phil Reedy and runner-up R.J. Arone put on a show worthy of Las Vegas Strip fireworks.
On the first playoff hole — the difficult par 4, 18th hole at TPC Summerlin — Reedy rolled in a birdie from off the green to clinch the victory just moments after Arone had chipped in from a similar spot for birdie to force the playoff. Reedy and Arone finished regulation at 4-under par.
“It was a crazy finish, and what a great chip by RJ; that was a dagger,” Reedy said. “Realistically, I thought I had two-putts to win from where I was on the green, but you never want to count anybody out.
“I kind of felt like he might make it. He had been hitting a lot of good putts all day that just weren’t going in the hole.”
The victory gave Reedy an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Amateur to be played at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Aug. 11-16. Reedy shot rounds of 69-66-77 to hang on for the win.
“The exemption is very exciting because I’ve never played in the U.S. Amateur, and that spot being on the line for the champion really added to the pressure for all of us,” he said. “To win at TPC Summerlin is very special because this used to be my home course, but I have not had many chances to play here in a meaningful tournament.
“Plus, I caddied for Scott Piercy in the PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open here several times, so to actually play and win here after those experiences is something I will never forget.”
Previous Nevada State Amateur champions include Piercy, plus other future PGA Tour players Craig Barlow, Edward Fryatt, Rich Barcelo, Butch Sheehan, in addition to Las Vegas Golf Hall of Famers Charlie Teel, Eric Dutt and Brady Exber.
With the runner up finish, Arone — a rising junior for the University of Michigan golf team and a Bishop Gorman alum — earned an exemption into the second and final stage of 2027 U.S. Amateur Qualifying. Despite the defeat, Arone will use the State Amateur experience as inspiration for the upcoming college season.
“It is heartbreaking to lose, but this week also will give me confidence,” Arone said. “I am getting closer, and have been getting in the final group and playoffs of tournaments recently. I am excited for the future.”
Michael Edwards, the 2026 Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association Sportsperson of the Year (15-18), finished third at 3-under par.
