Columnist Peter Benton: Tanza wins title at Seniors Golf Club

Peter Benton

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 9:45 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The Nevada State Seniors Golf Club's May event played over the Las Vegas Golf Club saw John Tanza win low gross in the first flight with a 75. Jim Long, Duwayne Terlinden and Dave Maddux tied for low net with 67s.

Second flight low-gross winner with 72 was Bill Bangs. Low net went to Art Rubin and his 65.

Dick Ertz prevailed in the third flight, garnering low gross with his 82. Low net went to Jim O'Neil's 65.

Low-gross winner in the fourth flight was John Kikta with Bob Faiss snaring low net. Their scores were 86 and 63, respectively.

* SHORTS GAME: Finally, the PGA Tour has joined the rest of the world in relaxing its dress code.

It was decided recently that starting at last week's Memorial and continuing through Labor Day, caddies are allowed to wear shorts. In addition, shorts may be worn any day the heat index reaches 100 degrees.

The tour has accordingly issued eight pair of shorts, 12 shirts and two Windbreakers (which feature PGA Tour logos) to each caddie.

Five men took eight weeks just to rebuild the infamous Hell Bunker, the diabolical pit on the 14th hole which measures 30 yards long and 30 yards wide.

The 36-hole tournament played over the Boulder City Golf Course saw Kevin Shambarger win the first flight with 137.

Other flight winners were: second, John Milburn, 135; third, Dan Cooney, Tom Vegil and Archie Gildersleeve tied with 140s; fourth, Larry Wengert, Brent Vincent and Jim Bob Rowland with 144s; fifth, Dick Cloninger, 134; sixth, Rick Lawson, 137.

It was the ninth time in the past 11 years that a record level has been achieved.

Last year's effort for the Senior Tour eclipsed the 1998 record total by nearly $1 million. A year ago, $10,070,000 was raised.

Last year's total brings the Senior Tour's all-time charity total to more than $74 million.

As a whole, the PGA Tour, including the Senior PGA Tour and the Buy.com Tour, has raised well over $500 million for charity.