Columnist Peter Benton: Fernandez prevails in amateur tourney

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

In the recent 54-hole Women's Nevada State Amateur Golf Championship played over the Painted Desert Golf Club, 16 year-old Christine Fernandez, a Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association member, won overall low gross honors after rounds of 68-66-72-206 over the par-72 layout.

Brenda Knott (Badlands) placed second in the Championship flight with 234. Christine Hentzner (SNJGA) was third at 238.

Low net went to Reno's Christy Atencio and her 221. Laurie Durant (Las Vegas Country Club) placed second at 223 with third spot going to Stallion Mountain's Sherry Jackson at 229.

In the Director's flight, Jeanne Hudgins of Black Mountain won in a playoff over Mary McFarland (Sun City) to capture low gross after both ladies came in with 247s. Susie Bullard (Sun City) placed third at 261.

A new winner with 217 was Tammy Gephardt (LVCC) followed by Marilyn Marsico (Spanish Trail) who was second with 219. Kathy Dunn (Lake Ridge, Reno) placed third at 222.

Sun City's Dona Cheney and her sizzling 69-71-68-208 won overall net honors.

In the best-ball of partners segment, Shane Sanchez (Desert Willow) and Cary Soares (Canyon Gate) were victorious with their 5-under 67. Tying for second with 69s were the Mike Altman (Revere)/Mike Gehner (Highland Falls) and Kit Dickinson/Brian Mamor (The National).

With but three events remaining in the Las Vegas Chapter Southwest Section of the PGA's year-long competition, Shadow Creek's Wes Weston leads the points race with 437.

Mike Starks (Eagle Crest) follows with 369. He is followed by Dale Akridge (South Shore) 237, Brian Anderson (Eagle Crest) 200 and Ken Whitaker (Boulder City) with 198 points.

In the Senior division, Bill Farkas' (life member) 141 points leads narrowly over John Long (unattached) at 124. Mike Harper (unattached) has 97 and he is followed by Jim Kirwan (Eagle Crest) at 65 and Jerry Roberts (Spanish Trail) at 64 points.