LAS VEGAS GOLF HALL of FAME TEES OFF NEW ERA with 2025 NIGHT of INDUCTION at STATE-OF-THE-ART HYPERX ARENA at LUXOR LAS VEGAS, NOV. 8, 2025
Following more than a decade as the first official event of the PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open, the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Night of Induction tees off a new era with the creation of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Pavilion inside the state-of-the-art HyperX Arena at Luxor Hotel & Casino.
The Night of Induction – the Best Night in Vegas Golf – is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The event will honor the new class of Thom Blinkinsop, Golf Fore Kids and the Wursten Brothers, Joe Sawaia and Deborah Vidal. Jerry Roberts will receive a prestigious lifetime achievement award.
“We are thrilled and intrigued to begin this new era at the HyperX Arena, but before we look ahead, we deeply thank Patrick Lindsey and the Shriners Children’s Open for more than a decade of tremendous support that vaulted our Hall of Fame to the next level,” said Rob McCoy, president of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame. “With the PGA Tour leaving Las Vegas, we created a wonderful new partnership with HyperX, and the arena’s technology and talented staff will allow us to produce an innovative show that will impress our inductees, sponsors, families, and friends. We are also excited about our new format that is similar to the World Golf Hall of Fame, in addition to the food and beverage experience we will offer.”
The public is welcome to attend the Night of Induction. All proceeds benefit the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame and junior golf in Southern Nevada. The 2024 event raised more than $30,000 and expectations are to increase that in 2025. VIP sponsorships and tickets are now available at www.LasVegasGolfHOF.com.
The 30,000-square-foot HyperX Arena is a best-in-class and globally recognized esports entertainment arena located at Luxor on the Las Vegas Strip. HyperX Arena has hosted the Major League Baseball awards show and other prestigious events in addition to weekly top esports events and tournaments. A complete production facility, featuring a unique multilevel modular design, elevated main stage, two-story, 50-foot LED video, one-of-a-kind HyperX Hype Tunnel, and telescopic seating, will allow for a stunning Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Night of Induction.
“The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Induction is a prestigious addition to the diverse lineup of events we host at HyperX Arena,” said Yinghua Chen, CEO of Allied Esports. “This event showcases how our venue can serve as a dynamic stage not only for esports, but for honoring tradition, excellence, and community impact. We’re proud to support an institution that celebrates Las Vegas’ deep ties to golf and look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for inductees and guests.”
The 2025 inductees join a long list of deserving golfers with strong ties to the Las Vegas golf region who have been previously inducted, including Butch Harmon, Ryan Moore, Charley Hoffman, Chris Riley, Stephanie Louden, Dwaine Knight, the 1998 National Championship UNLV Golf team, Helen Cannon and Lou Redden, among others.
About the 2025 Inductees
Thom Blinkinsop is a 25-year PGA of America Professional and a former United States Marine who saw combat duty in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was named 2012 Southern Nevada Chapter PGA Professional of the Year and has served on the board of directors for 12 years. He also is a past PGA Southwest Section Merchandiser of the Year. He also serves as a leader on the Nevada Golf Alliance, which helps preserve the game of golf in Nevada. He is currently the treasurer of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and also supports the YMCA, the UNLV PGA, and other worthy causes. He recently celebrated 22 years at Red Rock Country Club, where he is Regional General Manager including overseeing Siena and Arroyo golf courses.
Golf For Kids and Wursten Brothers: In Mesquite, Nevada, 77 miles North of Las Vegas and within the Las Vegas Golf Region, two brothers, Rob and Brian Wursten, plus an entire community, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Golf Fore Kids event in 2024. What makes the event extra special is 500+ golfers from the community gather to make a difference. The event has surpassed $1 million in total raised to benefit local children, becoming an amazing community event run by volunteers. Brian is currently the Director of Golf for Mesquite Entertainment while Rob is the General Manager of Falcon Ridge Golf Club.
Joe Sawaia led Coronado High School to six men’s and seven women’s Nevada State High School Golf Championships in addition to many individual and region titles. He also helped 30+ young golfers earn Division I college scholarships. Also, Coronado alumni have played the PGA Tour and are eyeing the LPGA Tour. His two sons, Ben and Brett, both played for the UNLV Men’s Golf team. In addition, Sawaia, a former UNLV baseball player, has been a top Nevada amateur golfer, winning the 2008 and 2010 Nevada State Mid-Am titles and was the 2010 Southern Nevada Golf Association Player of the Year. He also qualified and made the match play of the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur and in July qualified for 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur to be played in August.
Deborah Vidal (known as Deborah McHaffie for part of her LPGA Tour career) had one of the most unique and inspiring careers in professional golf history. Remarkably, Vidal didn’t take up the game until the age of 23, but in just a few short years she became an LPGA Tour star. She played on the LPGA Tour for 11 years, reaching career-high world ranking of No. 43 before injuries unfortunately brought her professional career to an early end. Internationally, Vidal made a significant impact in Japan, receiving exclusive invitations to play in eight tournaments per year on the JLPGA Tour and finished runner up in the prestigious JLPGA Championship in her debut.
Upon taking up the game and as a member of the iconic Las Vegas Country Club, Vidal won several club championships and her amateur career soared with victories at the 1982 and 1983 Women’s Nevada State Amateur. She also won the prestigious Mexican Amateur Championship in 1983, and in 1984, she finished runner-up in three of the most notable amateur events: the Western Amateur, Broadmoor Invitational, and Trans-National Championship.
Jerry Roberts—2006 Inductee and 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Jerry Roberts is a PGA of America Lifetime Member and one of the most well-known and iconic golf professionals in Las Vegas history. Most notably, he helped bring Spanish Trail Golf and Country Club to prominence and served as the head professional from day one and for more than two decades. He remains a Pro Emeritus at Spanish Trail. He also served as the president of the Southern Nevada Chapter, PGA of America, and was the 2006 Chapter Senior Player of the Year and the 2004 Lifetime Achievement honoree among other honors. He Is also a noted golf instructor whose students have won state titles and many other prestigious championships. He also has donated time and money to key golf organizations.
About the Las Vegas Hall of Fame
The Las Vegas Hall of Fame, a 501c3, established and maintains the Las Vegas Hall of Fame Museum at Las Vegas National Golf Club. The Hall of Fame Museum serves the public, free of charge, by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and displaying objects of interest regarding the history and importance of golf in southern Nevada, including plaques and information of inductees who have made a deep and positive impact in Southern Nevada. The organization also promotes and financially supports Southern Nevada Junior Golf via scholarships and other donations that assist junior golfers who need it the most. Visit www.LasVegasGolfHOF.com for more.
About HyperX Arena Las Vegas
HyperX Arena Las Vegas, located at Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, is an award-winning, globally recognized esports entertainment arena. The 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art arena and production facility, featuring a unique multilevel modular design, elevated main stage, two-story LED video, one-of-a-kind HyperX Hype Tunnel, telescopic seating and 160 PC and console stations, is a ready-to-go championship destination and content studio for publishers, leagues, teams, professional players, streamers and community members in a setting designed to deliver an unparalleled live experience. Visit www.HyperXArenaLasVegas.com