Columnist Peter Benton: Cadillac owners could drive for free

Peter Benton

Wednesday, April 5, 2000 | 9:55 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Local Cadillac buyers will have added incentive to cheer for hometown favorite and two-time Senior PGA Tour Player of the Year Jim Colbert when he steps up to the par-3 17th hole at the TPC at Summerlin on the Saturday of this month's Las Vegas Senior Classic.

If Colbert makes a hole in one April 22, new Cadillac owners will win their car for free.

Cashman Cadillac and Cadillac West have agreed to give anyone who buys a new Cadillac from April 1 through April 20 their car for free if Colbert aces the designated hole. In the case of a lease, Cadillac will make the payments for the term of the lease.

Colbert, a local resident and a Senior PGA Tour member since 1991, registered his last hole in one at the TransAmerican Classic in 1996. Since joining the PGA Tour in 1966, he has recorded seven aces.

In addition to possibly giving away new Cadillacs, the local dealerships will donate at least $100,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation if Colbert makes the hole in one. Even if he is not successful, $100 for every new car sold during the period previously mentioned will go to the foundation.

Tickets to the Las Vegas Senior Classic can be purchased at a discount at Cashman Cadillac, 2711 East Sahara, or at Cadillac West, 5185 West Sahara.

Both daily and seasonal tickets are available. Daily tickets are $10. For every ticket sold, $2.50 will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In addition, General Motors will match the local Cadillac dealerships' total contribution to the foundation.

* SPATZ IT: Local professional Jon Spatz, formerly employed at OB Sports Angel Park Golf Club, has been promoted to director of instruction at the Legacy Golf Club.

In his new position, Spatz, a 30-year resident of Las Vegas, will oversee and implement all instructional programs. He also will work with the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department to develop public golf programs as well as establishing a junior academy at The Legacy.

Spatz grew up participating in the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association program and played four years for Las Vegas High School.

He has been a PGA member for eight years and has been actively involved in our Las Vegas Chapter of the PGA, first as its treasurer and later as a Tournament Policy Board member and Nevada Open committee member.

* CASEY AT THE TEE: If Casey Martin enters and qualifies for this year's British Open, the Royal and Ancient have announced that he will be allowed to use a golf cart.

It is believed that if that scenario is played out, Martin will be the first person to use a cart while playing the Old Course at St Andrews.