Eric Dutt, Manager of Operations at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada, has been named the 2019 Golf Executive of the Year by the American Junior Golf Association. This award honors a golf executive who displays unwavering support of the AJGA and junior golf by creating a memorable tournament experience for players, families, staff and volunteers.
“I am flattered that I was chosen based on all of the golf courses and people that donate their time and, in some cases, financial support in hosting AJGA events on a yearly basis,” Dutt said. “It is very humbling to be selected and a large part of the award should go to the operational team at Reflection Bay who is involved in the details of the AJGA event at Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas.”
Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation. Finally, the AJGA recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and golf course executive, as well as the most game changing event, best new event, best AJGA Preview Series tournament, best AJGA Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2019 season will be presented on-site at the 2020 tournament.
Dutt’s passion for junior golf began in the 1970’s when local parents and golf professionals came together to form the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association. Las Vegas area golf courses supported the organization by hosting junior golf events at virtually every golf club in the Las Vegas area. He credits those few people and courses with creating opportunities for junior golfers and helping lead to his college golf scholarship and eventual career in golf.
“I don't think enough people in the golf business give back to the game and junior golf makes sense as they are the golf business’ future members, resort guests and customers,” Dutt said. “I support junior golf in any way I can from allowing high school teams to play, individual juniors at no charge and hosting as many junior events as we are able to.”
Dutt is the main reason the AJGA was able to bring the AJGA Lake Las Vegas Junior hosted by Danielle Kang to Reflection Bay Golf Club. In 2019, he donated the golf course for the tournament and donated all fruit, water and ice for the entire week. His commitment didn’t stop there however, as he helped secure $44,000 through the Junior-Am fundraising tournament and coordinated the social activity where juniors had a closest to hole contest on a simulator with the winner receiving a free three-night stay at the Westin for their family and two rounds of golf.
“Eric and his staff are an instrumental part of the event and their hard work and dedication to the AJGA Lake Las Vegas Junior hosted by Danielle Kang is what makes the event a successful one,” said AJGA Regional Director, Southwest, Houston Denney. “Eric's passion to elevate the experience of the players, their families and the AJGA staff while at Reflection Bay Golf Club never ceases to amaze me.”
