Columnist Peter Benton: LVI offers a variety of ticket packages

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999 | 10:17 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The $2.5 million Las Vegas Invitational, scheduled for Oct. 13-17 at the TPC Summerlin, Desert Inn Golf Club and Las Vegas Country Club, will have a field of 432 amateurs along with 144 professionals battling for a first-place prize of $450,000.

These players will compete in the 54-hole Pro-Am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on all three courses. Each four-man team will consist of one professional and three amateurs.

Following Friday's play, the field will be cut to the low 70 professionals and 20 amateurs who will compete in Saturday's shootout. Sunday's final round will be professionals only, and, as with Saturday's play, it will be over the TPC course in Summerlin.

Ticket prices for this popular event are as follows:

* Hospitality package, $2,000: This package includes 50 daily tickets (good Wednesday through Sunday), four patron badges good for complimentary food and beverage in the Founder's terrace, four invitations to Tuesday night's party and two valet parking passes.

* Daily grounds package, $250: 25 grounds coupons, which provide access to the tournament on any day.

* VIP package, $175 advance price, $200 at the gate: This package has four season badges and one valet parking pass.

* Clubhouse badge, $100: Provides admission each day of the tournament, plus clubhouse access.

* Season badge, $50 advance price, $75 at the gate: Admission to the course each day of the tournament.

* Daily ticket, $15 advance, $20 at the gate: These coupons may be exchanged at the gate for one day's admission, Wednesday through Sunday.

* Senior and military special package, 2-for-1 admission, $20 at the gate: Senior citizens (60-over) and active military personnel receive 2-for-1 access with one paid admission. Both parties must be senior citizens or active military personal.

* Junior packages, free: All juniors (17-under) receive free admission with a paid adult admission.

Advanced tickets may be purchased at Cadillac West and Cashman Cadillac, Desert Decor and Las Vegas Golf and Tennis on Lake Mead and Buffalo. Fans may also order tickets by phone (702) 242-3000.

* BIRDIES FOR CHARITY: The Las Vegas Founders' Club is pleased to announce it once again is offering the Birdies for Charity program in conjunction with the Las Vegas Invitational.

With the purchase of a $10 ticket, fans will be eligible for two great prizes. First though, they must guess the total number of birdies they think the professionals will make during the LVI.

The winner will receive a Mexican cruise for two, plus all participants will be automatically entered in a drawing for a chance to win a Hawaiian vacation. As an added benefit, tickets purchased prior to the start of the tournament may be redeemed for one free daily admission ticket to the LVI. Call 799-1042 for more information.