Club founder helps kick off current season

Will Faiss can't recall how many tee shots he's hit in his golfing career, but the one he hit on Sept. 13 at Boulder Creek Golf Club is one he won't forget.

"It had been about two years since I hit a golf ball," he said.

Faiss, 96, hit the ceremonial opening tee shot to mark the start of the season for the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club, which Faiss helped found in 1974.

"As one of the founding members they asked me to come out and do the preliminary drive," Faiss said. "I'm always excited about everything. I'm a positive person, maybe that's why I've lived so long."

Both of his sons — Bob and Don — were on hand to watch their father's ceremonial shot. They also participated in the tournament.

"It was really great of the club to give him that honor. It really meant a lot to him, and I'm glad I got to be there for it," Bob Faiss said.

Chip Muegel, the club's executive director, said it wasn't a tough decision to ask Will Faiss to kick-off their tournament.

"We wanted someone who had a long history with golf and our club and that was Will," Muegel said. "He continues to impress me with what he can do at his age."

Will Faiss moved his family to Las Vegas in the mid-1940s and was a two-term state senator (1976-1984). He first took up golf in his early 50s.

"It's something I could do all my life," he said. "It takes a certain amount of effort, but it's not too demanding."

He won member-guest tournaments with son Bob at the Desert Inn Golf Club in 1987 and 1988. His biggest win came in 1975 at Furnace Creek Golf Club in Furnace Creek, Calif.

"I played pretty good golf in those days," he said. "At Furnace Creek there were top players from all over the West. You have to be accurate on that course."

The trophies he's won are on display at Wilbur & Theresa Faiss Middle School, which is named after him and his wife and opened in 2007.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 948-2074 or [email protected].