Columnist Peter Benton: Graduates of Nike Tour have earned their degrees

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998 | 10:40 a.m.

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

THE GRADUATING CLASS from the 1998 Nike tour comprises 15 young men who have endured tension, sleepless nights, nerves and a great deal of anguish on the way to obtaining their 1999 PGA Tour cards.

What started as a dream for hundreds of players back in January became reality for some after a grueling 30-event schedule, culminating with the recent Nike Tour Championship.

Members of "The Class of '98" traveled different paths to arrive at their destination. A select few who sat atop the money standings for so long were assured a top 15, or PGA Tour qualifying position.

However, for those not in such an enviable spot, the final outcome was decided by an incredibly hectic week at the Magnolia Grove Crossings Course in Mobile, Ala.

Bob Burns capped a brilliant week with rounds of 73-69-67-74--283 over the 7,043-yard, par-72 layout to snare the season's final prize by three strokes.

The Nike Tour record first-place check of $63,000 vaulted him from 14th place to No. 1 on the final money list. With that top placing went a full exemption to the PGA Tour.

The 15 qualifiers include the following:

* 10 players who previously were PGA Tour members: Burns, Emlyn Aubrey, Tom Scherrer, Sean Murphy, Jimmy Green, Charles Raulerson, Woody Austin, Mike Sposa, John Maginnes and Dennis Paulson.

* Four players who won two titles each on this year's Nike Tour: Joe Ogilvie, Burns, Robin Freeman and Raulerson.

* The Nike Tour's all-time leading money winner in Murphy.

* Two players who shot 59 on the Nike Tour: Notah Begay III and Doug Dunakey.

It will be interesting to see how these young men fare next year in the big league.

The Calvada Country Club in Pahrump was site of the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club's November tournament.

A field topping 100 (playing a Stableford format) competed in four flights.

John Wakefield, with 38 points, eked out a narrow victory in the first flight over Ivars Gals who placed second with 37. Sharing third with 36 apiece were Jim Hogan and Joe Giarraputo.

The second-flight victor with 40 points was Bill Zell, followed by Dennis Chrzanowski, 36, and Larry Morgan, 35.

Will Schaff and his 45 points won the third flight rather handsomely while David Stone placed second with 37. Tying for third with 36s were Bernie Eubank and Howard Peiffer.

Ken Cage narrowly won the fourth flight with 38 points, edging Al Gonzales, Bob Faiss and Paul Zimmerman, who came in with 37s.