Columnist Victoria Sun: Senior Tour rookie Wadkins set to enjoy change on new circuit

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000 | 11:42 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf notes appear Wednesday. Reach her at victoria@vegas.com or 259-4078.

Senior PGA Tour rookie Lanny Wadkins is charging into the 2000 season full speed ahead.

Beginning with the Ace Group Classic in Naples, Fla., this weekend at the par-72 7,171 yard course at the Pelican Marsh Golf Club, Wadkins will play four tournaments in successive weeks.

Living out of a suitcase for months at a time is nothing new to the 50-year-old who turned pro in 1971, but he will have to make a few adjustments.

"The thing that's different for me is I'm not just going to four new tournaments in a row, but to four different cities," Wadkins said. "My travel schedule is different, the courses will be different.

"Everything will be new to me."

After Naples, Wadkins will play in the GTE Classic at the TPC of Tampa Bay in Florida, the LiquidGolf.com Invitational at the TPC at Prestancia in Sarasota, Fla., and the Toshiba Senior Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club in suburban Los Angeles.

Although the new members of the Senior PGA Tour often are thought of as favorites to win because the courses for the senior events are typically shorter than those on the PGA Tour, Wadkins isn't sure how he'll do.

"I don't see how I'll have an advantage, other than that I'm younger than some of the other guys," Wadkins said. "Other than that I'll be at a disadvantage because I won't be familiar with anything.

"The first year, enthusiasm is high. It's something that's kind of cool to think that I can still play against guys that I have been around for the last 29 years.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready for a change."

He figures there will also be a few perks for playing with the seniors instead of continuing on the PGA Tour.

"It sounds like it's going to be a little bit more fun," Wadkins guessed. "One more day of pro-ams, one less day of competition.

"You know you're going to be there all week and there's no cut. I also think that the golf courses are not as long and tough. So they should be to my liking at this age.

"Hopefully I'll be playing well. I don't really know what to expect, but I understand the pace of play is faster which is something that I'll really enjoy."

You can see Wadkins in April when he plays in the Las Vegas Senior Classic presented by TrueGreen-Chemlawn April 19-23 at the TPC Summerlin.

* SENIOR CLASSIC UPDATE: Defending champion Vicente Fernandez and two-time champion Hale Irwin have been added to the Las Vegas Senior Classic field.

Nine of the top 11 money winners on the Senior PGA Tour already have committed to the field of 78. Some early entries are: Allen Doyle, Larry Nelson and Dana Quigley.

* MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Valley View Golf Club will host its first Memorial Tournament on Feb. 26 at Las Vegas Golf Course. The event will honor Trudie Rainey, a member of Valley View since the 1960s who was the tournament chair until her death last year.

Rainey, a native of Arkansas, was the mother of four and an avid golfer. The event is open to the public for a $45 entry fee. All participants are asked to dress in black and white attire.

Players will tee off at 9 a.m. Checks should be sent to Randy Crawford, tournament chair, at P.O. Box 270583, Las Vegas 89127.