Columnist Peter Benton: Upsets plentiful at Country Club championships

Peter Benton

Wednesday, May 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

THE LAS VEGAS Country Club 1997 Championship, played under gorgeous conditions on a course in pristine shape, had its usual share of upsets.

The championship flight, in which Bruce Ashworth prevailed in the final over Lance Wallin 4+3, was indicative of the fluctuating fortunes impacting some of the contenders.

Ashworth's run through his bracket was expected and he was not unduly challenged in any of his matches. But Wallin's well-earned entry into the final was somewhat unexpected. He surprised many by defeating defending champ Charlie Pape convincingly in his quarterfinal match and then defeated Ron Hurst 3+2 in his semifinal.

Frank Larsen, who was taken to 19 holes by Brad Fields before getting into the first flight final, won overall honors when good friend Tim Powers had to default the final match.

Kent McBeath had a relatively easy run through the second flight before winning the final over Jim Abraham 4+3.

Third-flight winner Jim Wade narrowly defeated Milk Honek 1-up in their final while Greg Giuffria prevailed 3+1 over Tom Bell in the fourth flight.

Bob Kelley was taken to the 19th before dispatching Don Williams for the fifth flight title. In the sixth flight, Kem Fleming narrowly defeated Jeff Harmon.

Val Stevens, playing in her first club championship, defeated defending women's champion Rhonda Mushkin 4+3 to capture the ladies title.

In the championship consolation, Nicki Devine and Velma Fernandez waged a nip-and-tuck battle before Devine prevailed with a 1-up victory.

Diane Kneeland's president's flight title was an exciting ride as she had a close match with Dawn Cica before winning 1-up to get into the final. Then it was another nail-biter over Paula Wallin, 1-up, to gain the honors.

Barbara Greenspun's first-round match with Mary Wiedman went to the 21st hole and ultimately propelled the former into the director's flight final, which she won by defeating Clyde Serfustini 6+5. In the general's flight, Dorothy Lee narrowly defeated Barbara Hack 1-up in the final.

Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, who won eight times on last year's PGA Japanese Tour and finished seventh on the 1996 final world money list, has been extended an international exemption to compete in the 1997 U.S. Open, scheduled June 12-15 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

The 50-year-old Ozaki has competed in 10 previous Opens with his best finish a tie for sixth in 1989. He has finished in the top 10 once and top 25 four times.

Previously, the USGA announced that Jack Nicklaus had accepted a special exemption to play in his 41st consecutive Open.