Columnist Peter Benton: Armour tearing up course on two tours

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 25, 1998 | 9:47 a.m.

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

PRIOR TO last week's Bay Hill Invitational, former Las Vegas resident Tommy Armour III found himself in a unique position: He was leading both the PGA Tour and Nike Tour scoring average charts.

The 38-year-old Armour, who still has family ties n the valley, tops the tour's scoring average at 69.23. Tiger Woods follows with 69.38. On the Nike Tour, Armour's leading average is 67.50 with runner-ups Gary Koch and Peter Jordan each averaging 68.25 per round.

After his first five starts this season, Armour has amassed $312,338 on the big tour -- just $36,320 short of the $348,658 he made in 1990 when he won the Phoenix Open and had his most successful year.

Last year, after a rather abysmal season, Armour won just $163,664, was 131st on the money list and barely retained his tour card.

Armour's tour success is reflected in the fact that he is tied with Stewart Cink, David Duval, Scott Hoch and Steve Pate in top-10 finishes this year. With a tie for second at one of his favorite events, the Phoenix Open, followed by ties for sixth at the Buick Invitational and Nissan Opens, he has been in the top 10 in 60 percent of his starts.

Only Tiger Woods, who has been in the top 10 in four of his first five starts (80 percent), and John Huston, who is 4-for-6 (67 percent), have a better percentage.

Ace reported

Dr. Bernard Feldman had the thrill of his golfing career by recording his first career hole in one.

It came on the demanding, water-guarded, 176-yard par-3 17th at the Las Vegas Country Club via a 3-wood.

Farmer knows best

The Nevada State Seniors Golf Club's recent individual low-net tournament, played over the Desert Lakes Golf Course in Laughlin, went to Tim Farmer with a 65. Gordon Hafenrichter and Tony Gamez tied for second with 69s.

Dave Maddux and his 65 captured the second flight, followed by John Wakefield, Bill Smith and Neil Radermacher with 69s.

The third-flight victor with 66 was Gary Scruton, who edged Dennis Chrzanowski and Bob Tyler, who tied for second with 67s.

Dick Ertz's 67 won the fourth flight over Bobby Myatt and his 69. Third at 70 was Wayne Tamblyn.

In the fifth flight, Frank Boudrou prevailed with a 67. Bill Boss and Scotty Boyd shared second place with 69s.

The second day of play was a three-man scramble. Larry McGovern, Dave Maddux and Frank Davis eked out a narrow victory with a score of 62.5.

Ron Schmitz, Wayne Tamblyn and Gerald Miller were next at 63.4.