Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 11:01 a.m.
PETER BENTON is a local golfer. His column appears Wednesdays.
TO SAY THE inaugural Las Vegas Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic was a success would be an understatement.
Although a tad windy here and there, the overall weather conditions were great. Plus, with the scores and scores of celebrities in attendance who made themselves available for autograph and photo opportunities with the public, well, it was a positive dream for stargazers.
Those with their finger on the pulse of the week-long gala were delighted with the overall response and results of this supercharged tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes.
Discussions are under way to determine whether Las Vegas will host this fine event again next year. I am betting we will. Let's hope so, anyway, because it's good for golf and great for the town.
It is too early to determine how much money was raised for the two charities involved, the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., along with our own Las Vegas Opportunity Village. Rest assured, it will be a substantial amount for both entities.
The two-day scramble event, played Friday and Saturday over the Stallion Mountain Country Club, saw the team co-led by Dina Merrill and Dan Quinn, and consisting of Doug Galloway, Andy Dibattista, Vincent Napolitano and Alfonso Nappi capture overall honors.
Leslie Nielsen and Rick Rhoden's team of Jonnie Forster, Ricky Mintz, Steve Pietrzyk and Ray Tisdale placed second, while the Richard Roundtree/Davey Johnson foursome containing Brent Bell, Don Hamrick, Bill Schumer and Brian Howell took third.
Sunday's celebrity shootout was a real nip-and-tuck affair with the Adam Baldwin/Joe Theisman pairing finally winning the competitive event, along with $11,500 for charity.
In a playoff for second place, Mac Davis and Scooter McGruder edged the team of Rudy Gatlin/Dan Jansen. Both twosomes picked up $10,500 for the charity of their choice.
If we are fortunate enough to have a return engagement of this extraordinary week honoring an extraordinary entertainer, tickets will be at an absolute premium.
Class always rises to the top and this was a class event.
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