Columnist Peter Benton: Seelman wins PGA Sectional at Bali Hai

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Beautiful course conditions greeted a large field of area professionals last Monday at the Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA's Bali Hai Pro-Pro.

In the individual segment, Las Vegas Country Club's Carl Seelman eked out a victory with a 2-under-par 70, edging Tony Silva, also of LVCC, who finished a shot back.

Southshore Golf Club pro Wes Weston was third at 72 with Dave Barnhart (Angel Park), Brad Church (Cascata), Jay Davis (Southern Highlands), Dana Love (Craig Ranch) and unattached John Sunstrum sharing fourth with 74s.

Scotty Greer (Callaway Golf Center), Tom Carlson (Craig Ranch) and Mesquite's Randy Tickner tied for first in the senior division with 73s.

In the two-man best-ball segment, Seelman and Silva prevailed with a 64, edging Greer/Mike Harper at 65. Davis and Weston were third with 66.

These donations coincide with the Senior Tour's recent decision to discontinue weekly pro-ams that offered $5,000 to the low individual professional scores and ties.

Donations will be made to local junior golf organizations, including First Tee chapters, in the name of the respective Senior tournaments and Senior players. Senior tournament organizers will designate the recipients of their local $5,000 donation.

Officials met at the conclusion of the British Open and decided to stay with the current selection method, that each country's two highest-ranked players on the World Rankings form the team.

As a result, Tiger Woods, who has managed to pick his own partners the last three years (Mark O'Meara and David Duval twice), may pull out of this year's event because of his reluctance to play with Phil Mickelson.