Amy Bush-Herzer was an important part of the Las Vegas golf community even before she took over as the UNLV women’s golf head coach in 2010. She served as the Southern Nevada Chapter, Southwest Section, PGA of America program coordinator from 2005-07 before becoming the UNLV assistant coach for three years.
Now she is part of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame, the group announced this week.
“It’s such a huge honor, and when I first moved to Las Vegas, I never imagined I’d be here this long,” Bush-Herzer said. “It has truly become my home, and now to be part of the history of the golf industry here is incredibly special.
“It is still hard for me to believe since I was notified about being an inductee this year. To be recognized alongside so many incredible people and names is just wonderful.”
Bush-Herzer will be joined at the Oct. 9 induction ceremony at South Point by LPGA Tour star Natalie Gulbis, longtime LVCVA executive Julian Dugas and junior golf advocate Sylvia Hooks. Tickets are available at LasVegasGolfHOF.com.
Bush-Herzer has guided UNLV to six Mountain West titles, 12 NCAA Regional appearances and two NCAA Championship appearances. Additionally, she has coached her student-athletes to two Mountain West individual titles, five Mountain West Golfer of the Year awards, six Mountain West Freshman of the Year awards, 36 All-Mountain West selections, 37 WGCA Scholar All-America honors, three individual NCAA Regional bids, one individual NCAA Championship appearance and two All-America honors. She is the first inductee from the UNLV women’s golf team.
Bush-Herzer said her induction and success have only been possible because community support and the UNLV administration.
“All I can say is, ‘Thank you’ for welcoming me and allowing me to become part of this community,” Bush-Herzer said. “The golf community in Las Vegas is so close-knit that it truly feels like a family. It’s been incredible to be part of it. I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without the outstanding golf professionals and people in this community. I couldn’t have done the things we’ve done at UNLV without their support.
“What many people don’t realize is how much this community has contributed to our program. They’ve helped us attract top student-athletes by opening their facilities to us, welcoming our recruits, and making our players feel at home. It’s a full-circle relationship where everyone helps each other, and that’s what makes Las Vegas so special.”
An example of that community commitment is the UNLV Women’s Golf Excellence Center at the historic Las Vegas Country Club, along with other courses and clubs that open their facilities for play and practice.
“There’s a lot of pride in being a UNLV Rebel,” Bush-Herzer said. “There’s a strong tradition and a lot of hard work behind it. I honestly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. UNLV is home, and being a Rebel means being part of the UNLV family.”
Previous Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame inductees include Butch Harmon, Deborah Vidal, Stephanie Louden, Jim Colbert, Robert Gamez, Craig Barlow, Charley Hoffman, the 1998 UNLV golf team and Chris Riley.
