Columnist Peter Benton: Surfing Las Vegas big hit at Las Vegas C.C.

PETER BENTON is a local golfer. His column appears Wednesdays.

LAST WEEK at the immaculately groomed Las Vegas Country Club, a large field of ladies (many from California), assembled for a two-day, 36-hole eclectic tournament -- Surfing Las Vegas.

Beautiful weather prevailed, the competition was fierce and the format, where the best score on each hole over two days of play was used for scoring purposes, proved to be popular.

LVCC member Laurie Durant won overall low gross honors with a 4-under-par 68. Samm Klaparda (Riviera C.C.) was second at even-par 72, followed by Akiko Vajda (Rancho Santa Fe) with a 73.

Palm Valley's Jane Scott captured the Molokai flight, coming in with a 63. Janet Jones of the Visalia C.C. took second place on a card countback over Joan Session (Sun City), after both came in with 64s.

Peggy Campbell (Candlewood C.C.) was victorious in the Kauai flight. Her 63 edged the 64s of Gayle Pilger and Lil Weigman (both LVCC members), who took second and third, respectively.

Deb Plopa, representing Rolling Hills C.C., won the Oahu flight with a 63. Cheryl Blockard (LVCC) placed second with 64 followed by Rose Silvaggio (The Springs C.C.) in third place, another stroke back.

Majel Roddenberry (Bel Air C.C.) captured the Maui flight on a card countback over Meja Quock (Rancho Canada C.C.), after both came in with 11-under 61s. Linda Skelley from Sun City placed third with 63.

The Las Vegas Country Club's Ethney Gearing, playing some of her best golf, won the Hawaii flight with a 62. Sarah Hutton (PGA West) and Connie Silvaggio (Canyon Gate) placed second and third, respectively, after shooting 64s.

Palm Valley's Jane Scott won closest-to-the-pin on the third hole, Dusty Parish (La Combre C.C.) captured it on the seventh while her club mate, Nancy Sakurai, won on the 14th. Deb Plopa (Rolling Hills) and Lee Fesler (Pauma Valley) shared the honor on the 17th hole.

LVI shaping up

Once again it looks as if we will have stellar lineup for the Oct. 14-18 Las Vegas Invitational at TPC Summerlin, the Desert Inn and Las Vegas Country Club.

Defending champion Bill Glasson will be trying to become the first repeat champion of the LVI. He will be joined by the likes of Justin Leonard, Billy Andrade, John Cook, Davis Love III, Bill Mayfair and Mark Calcavecchia, who will be vying for the $360,000 first-prize check.

UNLV's Bill Lunde along with locals Craig Barlow and Bob May (presently playing the European Tour) have received sponsor's exemptions, as has Tour player Dicky Pride.

Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the tournament office at 242-3000. Tickets also may be purchased at Cadillac West, Cashman Cadillac, and Las Vegas Golf and Tennis.

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