Columnist Peter Benton: Exber honored as SNGA's top amateur golfer

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Brady Exber, who accumulated the most points in last year's Designated Tournaments conducted by the Southern Nevada Golf Association, was introduced to a large crowd at the SNGA awards banquet as Champion Golfer of the Year.

This young veteran of amateur golf has represented himself and Las Vegas with distinction over the years and has proven repeatedly, whether coming in first or fifth, that he is a true champion and sportsman.

The awards banquet, held last week at the Wildhorse Golf Club, also saw Desert Willow's head pro, Jon Spatz, presented with the prestigious Professional Golfer of the Year Award. Mark Kakowski was recipient of the net Player of the Year Award, with the Senior Player of the Year honors once again going to Mike Diehl.

Sue May, who gives so much of her time to golf, and whose knowledge and untiring efforts on behalf of golf in our area are outstanding, received the Director of the Year Award. Jim Alexander, the association's secretary for the past five years, received a special President's Award.

Also, Certificates of Appreciation were presented by SNGA president Stu Reid to members Floyd Goodyear, Bob Schindler, Jack Rosenbush, Jim Alexander, John Tanzer, Jerry Clark, Charlie Floyd, Rod Stebbins, Sue May, Ernie Haupt, Lou Oliver, Bob Stewart and Larry McGovern.

* BANK ON IT: The second year of Bank of America's sponsorship of the PGA Tour's West Coast swing began with the recent Mercedes Championship.

As part of the sponsorship, Bank of America honors the points leader of the West Coast swing as the "King of Swing."

Phil Mickelson topped last year's money list, accumulating $771,450 for which he received an IBM ThinkPad computer loaded with a $100,000 on-line banking account.

This year, the "King of Swing" title will be determined by a points system that equally weighs nine tournaments.

The top 10 finishers at each event will receive points as follows: first place, 150 points; second place, 90; third, 80; fourth, 70; fifth, 60; sixth, 50; seventh, 40; eighth, 30; ninth, 20; and 10th, 10 points.

As presenting sponsor of the PGA Tour's West Coast swing through 2002, Bank of America supplements the purse of each of the nine tournaments by $300,000.

* SENIOR-ITIS: A Stableford format tournament was played by members of the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club at the Legacy to kick-off their 1999 season. The weather was good and the competition was fierce:

Winners included:

* First flight, Dave Mead, 43 points; Joe Giarraputo and Ron Tyler, 39.

* Second flight, Jack Thompson and Bob Bales, 39; John Frazzetta, 38.

* Third flight, John Smykowski, 42; Andy Wheeler, 40; Roger Bushell, 39.

* Fourth flight, Al Alleman, 41; Bill Turpen, 40; Bobby Knight, 39.

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