Donald Welch, 77

Donald Welch, longtime Las Vegas resident, passed away May 10, 2010, at the age of 77. Don was born Feb. 25, 1933, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, but grew up in Whitefish. He was an outstanding high school athlete and was inducted into the Whitefish High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Don was a graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula, where he continued to perfect his golfing skills. He was later inducted into the Montana Golf Hall of Fame. In 1961, Don turned professional and began his career at the Desert Inn Country Club. He spent 14 wonderful years there before moving to the Dunes Golf Club as director of golf. He was a lifetime member of the PGA of America. After a short retirement, he went to work at the Las Vegas Paiute Resort helping to bring tournament groups to the new development. In 2004, Don was awarded the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award. In the span of a nearly 40-year career, he was involved in coordinating, hosting or participating in most of the major golf tournaments in Las Vegas. Don is survived by his wife, of 54 years, Peggy; sons, Dan Welch and wife, Kim, and Jamie Welch; daughter, Miki, and husband, Jeff Reid; beloved grandchildren, Jake and Paige Reid; sister, Janice Gerzema, and husband, Larry, of Valparaiso, Ind.; brother, Jim Welch, and wife, Anita, of Whitefish; and numerous nieces and nephews. Don was an avid supporter of the local Junior Golf programs, especially those that helped the children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play the game he loved so much. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don s memory to The Junior Golf Academy at Desert Willow, Attn.: Pam Bowers, 263 Delfino Way, Henderson, NV 89074. Services were held May 17 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Henderson.