Columnisr Peter Benton: Mullins, Bucci post win

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 9:20 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The Canyon Gate Country Club Men's Member-Guest which concluded last week saw the team of Neil Mullins and Michael Bucci prevail over 71 other pairings.

Format of play for the 12, six-man teams was four-ball match play, with each pairing playing five nine-hole matches in their respective flights. Each hole was worth one point with the winning pairing in every flight going forward to an elimination derby.

Runners-up were the Ron Penna/John Grady duo, with third place going to the team of Phil Horrell/Steve Heiman.

Respective flight winners were: Blackjack, Bill Gayler/Doug Thompson; Roulette, Danny Wade/Lawrence Chan; Wheel of Fortune, Don Logan/Craig Colbert; Slots, Mick Tisherman/Roger Makemson; Pai Gow, Jeff Skoll/Tom Rojas; Poker, Ron Wood/ Jim Hendricks; War, Lee Hoyt/Jim McQuirk; Keno, Penna/Grady; Bingo, Greg Panek/ Mat Dietz; Let It Ride, James and Dwaine Barnes; Sports Book, Horrell/Heiman and Baccarat, Mullins/Bucci.

Which leads me to a new ball that will be available in early December, the Strata Tour Ace. This is a four-piece design ball for extra length with a urethane cover for "one hop and stop" spin around the green.

As I say, this is supposed to be a beauty, so keep your eyes peeled for its introduction.

Jonathon Byrd, 39th on the official money list with $1,462,713. Won the Buick Challenge, has four top 10s and 10 top 25s.

Pat Perez, 40th with $1,451,726. Two seconds, six top 10s and 10 top 25s.

Peter Lonard, 41st with $1,413,113. Made 23 cuts in 24 starts. Four top 10s and 14 top 25s.

Luke Donald, 58th with $1,088,205. Won season-ending Southern Farm Bureau Classic along with 11 top 25s.