Invensys Classic: Gamez pleased he gets to skip school

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002 | 10:09 a.m.

With a palatial house just off the third green, Robert Gamez is completely familiar with the TPC at Summerlin.

And the Clark High grad and Las Vegas resident made himself at home Wednesday, opening the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas with a five-under 67 that leaves him in great shape with four rounds yet to go.

"I can't complain, but I didn't make enough putts," Gamez said. "It seemed like I hit a lot of good ones, but all of them hung on the edge."

Gamez had three birdies on each side, with a bogey at No. 11 mixed in.

"Not so much today, but lately I've had a hard time reading greens," Gamez said, although his play on the PGA Tour has been fairly stellar since the summer. "These greens on this course today were perfect, so I should have made some more.

"With the weather being so good, you have to make your share of birdies. If you don't, you're not going to have a good score."

A pair of missed eagle putts had Gamez somewhat miffed, yet he was content with his round and with his improved stature on the tour. With $727,892 in 2002 earnings and a No. 81 spot on the money list, his playing privileges are secure for another year -- which stands in contrast to the previous four seasons when he finished outside of the all-important top 125.

"No Q School this year," Gamez said, elated that he won't be put through the drudgery of trying to regain his card in the exhausting tournament known as Qualifying School. "I'm going to sit home this year and crack open a beer and watch it on TV."

"I've lost track," Schutte said, jokingly, when asked how many trips this will be to the annual tournament in Florida. After thinking it through, he admitted he has entered every one since 1994.

"I'll make it this year, though," he said, encouraged by his play on the minor Gateway Tour, which ran throughout the summer in Arizona.

"I didn't play great, but I made 12 of 15 cuts and I played OK," Schutte said. "I was pretty consistent and that's a step in the right direction."

The personable Schutte, who traded barbs with the quick-witted Findlay throughout their round, is best known for winning the NCAA individual championship in 1991.

"It was a perfect day for a good score, but I played pretty terrible," said Kendall, still looking for his first win on the tour.

While that round wasn't indicative of his 2002 season, Kendall feels he has suffered something of a letdown this year.

"Mediocre," he replied, when asked how he would evaluate his year. "I've played well enough to keep my job for next year, but I'm nowhere near where I want to be. I've had some nice streaks, but poor iron play has been my main theme."

Kendall ranks No. 101 on the tour money list with $611,311 and he has had two top-10 finishes, but he's only No. 168 in greens in regulation. That low position is offset, however, by a No. 15 ranking in putting.

"I love my job and I'm very fortunate," Kendall said. "I can use all the cliches to express how much I enjoy playing professional golf.

"But, at the same time, I want to see some progress. I'm just trying not to get too negative right now.

"Obviously, I'm going to have to play two really good rounds to make the cut and play this weekend."

A 16-time winner on the PGA Tour, O'Meara has an uncanny five of those victories at Pebble Beach, where amateurs compete alongside professionals -- just as they do in Las Vegas.

"I haven't played that well here, but I like the format with amateurs because it takes some of the pressure off," O'Meara said prior to opening the Invensys with a somewhat rocky 72 at Southern Highlands.

"I guess it's my personality -- I like to talk a lot," O'Meara said of the overall success he has had in amateur-laden events.

Now 45 years old, he feels he can still win on the tour and was heartened by the recent victory of 47-year-old Loren Roberts in the Texas Open.

"Yeah, I still think I can win out here," O'Meara said. "There's no reason yet to think otherwise."

O'Meara ranks No. 80 on the current money list with $730,132.