Columnist Ron Kantowski: Get off the couch, Las Vegas

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 | 10:04 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column appears Thursday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088.

Any local fans who have a problem with Las Vegas' reputation as a lousy live sports town will have a chance to do something about it this weekend.

The 72-hour period that commences Friday arguably is the biggest sports weekend of the year in Las Vegas, based on the number of major events that will tee it up, kick it off or start their engines within the city limits.

The PGA Tour actually got started on Wednesday with the first round of The Tournament That Never Ends, otherwise known as the Invensys Classic. If you didn't make it out to the TPC at Summerlin, the TPC at the Canyons or Southern Highlands Wednesday, or couldn't knock off work early today, don't fret. This is one of just two PGA tournaments (Bob Hope Classic) that goes on for 90 holes and five days.

When one of the touring pros steps off the 18th green here and says "There's still a lot of golf to be played," it's more than a euphemism for "I'm five shots back, Tiger's not playing, and I've still got a shot." One unconfirmed report last year had the Energizer Bunny making it only as far as the 16th fairway on final round Sunday before keeling over, his batteries drained.

The gallery out at Las Vegas Motor Speedway won't be quite so refined and/or leg weary as the one at the TPC. Instead of wine and cheese it'll be beer and pretzels, as the NASCAR Southwest, Winston West and Craftsman Truck series roll into town.

Sandwiched between the 18th hole and Turn 4 on Saturday afternoon, the San Diego State-UNLV matchup at Sam Boyd Stadium may appeal to both the golf and auto racing enthusiasts. That's probably the reason the football game -- with an expected crowd of 25,000 -- should easily outdraw the other two.

One of the factors working against the golf, as alluded to above, is that Woods isn't playing. Maybe it's just as well. It might take a battalion of Army Reserves to keep the gallery in check, and most of those guys are busy doing other things.

The crowd at LVMS also will be on the modest side, primarily because the truck series has become a haven for young drivers on their way up, or old drivers on their way out.

But a bigger detriment to all three events is that they will be shown on live local television, local promoters having not yet learned the power of the blackout or how to arrange for one.

The high price of a stadium beer notwithstanding, do yourself a favor and get out of the house. When you arrive at the stadium, course or track, be your own "man in the truck."

Buy a cheap seat in the end zone and watch the hole between guard and tackle open and close. Forget about the ball for one series and focus on the left tackle. You'll develop a new appreciation for the guys in the trenches.

Sneak your way past the fat cats doing business in the hospitality area above the 18th green at the TPC and marvel at the majestic arc of a 7-iron as it spins back to earth within birdie distance. And out at the track, let the announcer follow the guys running out front. Train your binoculars on the grizzled veteran and aggressive rookie trading paint for 17th and 18th. That's real racin'.

TV sports rank right up there with Seinfeld reruns. But the living room recliner is still only the next-best seat from which to watch.

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