Columnist Victoria Sun: Webb wants recognition for LPGA

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 | 9:46 a.m.

Victoria Sun is a Las Vegas Sun sports writer. Her golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria@vegas.com

While Tiger Woods was turning heads by winning six consecutive PGA Tour events (the streak ended when Phil Mickelson won the Buick Invitational in February with Woods five victories short of tying Byron Nelson's record of 11 straight), LPGA Tour player Karrie Webb was quietly rolling on a streak of her own.

It's too bad no one really noticed.

The galleries following Woods swelled enormously, but the ballyhoo surrounding Webb was minimal. And although she is not perceived as being the liveliest player on the tour, her accomplishments should not be overlooked.

Webb, the 1999 Rolex player of the year and Vare Trophy winner, started out the 2000 season winning all three events she entered. Over the weekend, she had a chance to win her fourth straight at the Standard Register PING, but finished second to Charlotta Sorenstam, Annika's younger sister.

Entering the final round, Webb was tied with the Sorenstam sisters for the lead. On Sunday, Charlotta carded a 68 while Webb fired a two-under-par 70 and Annika finished third with a 73.

Before the Standard Register PING, Webb, the 1996 Rolex rookie of the year, talked about a variety of subjects including the streak and how she has been somewhat overshadowed by Woods.

"I think it has left me some privacy," she said of the smaller doses of attention given to her. "The only thing that annoys me about that is just the LPGA really hasn't (received) much publicity from (the streak), and that is just a little disappointing because every player out here is ... great players, and we have just as good a show as the PGA Tour does."

* SENIOR CLASSIC UPDATES: On March 28, tournament committee members of the Las Vegas Senior Classic will meet to decide which three golfers will be granted exemptions to play.

Here's hoping Senior PGA Tour rookie Andy North gets a call. North, a two-time U.S. Open champion, became eligible to play on the Senior Tour when he turned 50 on March 9.

He made his debut last week and teamed with Las Vegan Jim Colbert to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in the two-man best-ball tournament.

During the last seven years, North traded in his clubs for a microphone, choosing to work as a television analyst.

If he gets an exemption, he will surely liven up the field.

"He's high on our list," tournament manager Charlie Baron said.

The Senior Classic will be held April 21-23 at the TPC at Summerlin. Two companion events will be held at TPC at The Canyons.

On April 17, the tournament qualifying round will be played there and Baron expects more than 100 players to vie for the four open spots.

Then on April 20, 13 groups will compete in the Georgia Pacific Super Seniors for players 60 and older. Tee times start at 8:30 a.m. Dale Douglass, Tommy Aaron and Billy Casper are scheduled to play.

* HEY LADIES: Are you a beginning golfer who is apprehensive about taking your game from the driving range to the golf course? The Executive Women's Golf Association will be showing a video to help aspiring golfers on March 29. Call 260-0929 for details.

* JUNIOR SKILLS: The Golf Channel and Cox Communications are sponsoring the Drive, Chip and Putt competition for boys and girls 7-12 on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Angel Park Golf Club. The event is free and registration starts at 10 a.m. It is open to children of all levels. If your child does not have his or her own clubs, they will be provided. The winners from Las Vegas, Tucson and Phoenix will compete in the Southwest Regional Championships with a chance to compete in the national finals that will be held in Orlando, Fla.

* ACES WILD: Las Vegas native Kurt Garehime aced the par-3 fifth hole at the Spanish Trail Lakes with a 3-iron on March 12. The hole measures 205 yards from the blue tees. It was his second career hole in one.