NHC Players Committee

Chris Larmey – Chairman

Hometown: Kennewick, WA

Tournament Experience: Member of NHC Hall of Fame

Fun fact: I played a small role in helping to successfully Lobby the US Treasury to make a change in tax regulations that eliminated the requirements for withholding and reporting for almost all winning horse racing wagers in the US.

Dennis Decauwer – Vice Chairman

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Tournament Experience: I have been a tournament player for about 25 years and have played in numerous states including California, Kentucky, Florida, Arizona , Nevada and South Dakota.

Fun fact: I qualified in one of the NHC free contests while being on a flight from Chicago to California. I put all my picks in on Friday night (not knowing track conditions, scratches, on/off turf, etc.). When the plane landed, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree! I figured either someone died or I had gotten lucky in the tournament. Fortunately, it was the latter—I finished in the top 5 out of about 2,000 entries.

Email: dennisdecauwer@gmail.com

Stanley Bavlish

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Tournament Experience: 2007 NHC Champion, 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee

Fun fact: Subway owner

Amy Brantley

Hometown: Hot Springs, AR

Tournament Experience: 20+ years of tournament experience.

Fun fact: Loves photography and birding.

Email: Brantleyal@gmail.com

Ross Gallo

Hometown: Jupiter, FL

Tournament Experience: 12-time NHC qualifier

Fun fact: Comes from a family of tournament players, including his late brother, Randy who finished in Top 10 at the 2019 NHC.

Rich Nilsen

Hometown: Port Jefferson Station, NY

Tournament Experience: Qualified 18 times.  Finished in the top 10 at the NHC twice.  Won several major tournaments, including Keeneland, Ellis Park, Turfway Park and the Dog Days of Summer at Canterbury Park.

Fun fact: I was voted into the All Star game for a New York stickball league as a teenager.

Ellen Patrick-Leavell

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Tournament Experience: I have been playing in tournaments since 2004.  First NHC experience was in 2009 at the Red Rock Resort.  7-time NHC qualifier.  First Place Winner of $22,165 and NHC player spot (and the first and only female to win) the First Chance/Last Chance Tournament.

Fun fact: Years ago I was a “Mom-ager” before Kris Kardashian coined the term.  My daughter Kristy was a child actress who appeared in several roles including the TV show “Dallas” and the movie “Problem Child” with John Ritter.

Email: ellenpatrick7732@gmail.com

H. Mitchell Schuman

Hometown: Brightwaters, NY

Tournament Experience: 18-time NHC Qualifier

Fun fact: Appeared in an SNY Documentary about the 1986 Mets called “Simply Amazin” and broadcast a sports talk radio report called “Mitch on the Mets” from 2006 to 2013.

Email: crmdefense@aol.com

Paul Shurman

Hometown: Dix Hills, NY

Tournament Experience: 20+ years of tournament experience.

Fun fact: In 2011 he won the second NHC Tour earning $75,000. After winning Tour in 2011,  Paul finished sixth place finish in 2012 NHC and was the closest any Tour winner has come to winning the NHC and the $1 million bonus.

Email: herlman@aol.com

Jim Templin