Columnist Peter Benton: Applegarth records seniors club victory

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 10 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The Nevada State Seniors Golf Club's February tournament (a two-man scramble the first day and individual stroke play the second) was played under gorgeous conditions at the Mojave Resort course and the Desert Lake layout in Laughlin.

Gene Applegarth, with a sizzling net 65, won individual first flight honors. Tim Peterson, Pat Lynch and Kent McBeath shared second with 69s.

The second flight went to John Smykowski with a 66. Bob Schnider placed second with a 69. Tying for third with 70s were Bill Zell and Owen Willkomm.

Gary Chapin and Phil Mlynck shared third flight honors with 69s. Jim O'Neil and Jerry Blevins followed with 70s.

A fine 65 by Victor Holliman showed the way in the fourth flight. Bill Gupton and Reggie Dunn shared second with 68s.

In the scramble event, the combined A and B flight winners were the teams of Bob Dunbar/Dave Maddux and Ron Tyler/Don Hughes with scores of 59.6. The Ron Whitecliff/Tom Lawson pairing placed third with a 61.

Capturing the combined C and D flight was the duo of Larry Morgan/Reggie Dunn. Their score of 53.9 overran runners-up John Nethercott and Art McGill at 58.6. The Wally Carson/Andy Lamana team placed third with a 59.

* SENIOR-ITY: The Las Vegas Senior Classic by TruGreen-ChemLawn, scheduled for April 19-23 at the TPC Summerlin, is already shaping up to be another all-star affair.

Last season's top money winner, Bruce Fleisher, has committed to play, as have former champions Jim Colbert, Lee Trevino, Al Geiberger and Hale Irwin.

* LVCC NEWS: In a pro-member best-ball event played at Las Vegas Country Club, the team of Wes Weston (Shadow Creek), Jerry Mead (Highland Falls), Bennett Hudson and Don Slack won top honors with a score of 121.

Eagle Crest's Mike Gehner and Jim Neighbors (Palm Valley) teamed with Frank Zybura and John Mendoza to garner second place with 123. Third spot went to the team of Patrick Duty (South Shore), Matt Bennett (Rhodes Ranch), Frank Green and Bill Rafti. Their score was 124.

In the individual pro sweeps, Dale Akridge (South Shore) and Gehner tied for first with 2-under 70s. Mike Messner (Palm Valley) and unattached Tom Storey followed at 71. Spanish Trail's Jerry Roberts was at 72.

* SENIOR STATS: The Senior PGA Tour Q-School class of 1998 did itself proud last year, collecting 15 Senior Tour titles.

Bruce Fleisher was the top money winner and posted seven wins while Allen Doyle, who finished third on the money list, had four victories.

Gary McCord won twice and placed 14th on the money list.

Tom McGinnis and Fred Gibson were the other Q-School members who earned titles during the year.