Columnist Peter Benton: LPGA event makes a nice comeback

Peter Benton

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 | 8:30 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Iguess it would be fair to say that over the past couple of months there have been a few furrowed brows among those responsible for bringing the LPGA Takefuji Classic to Las Vegas.

Let's face it. Sporting events of any kind, with the possible exception of motor sports and the UNLV basketball program, have had a dismal record and have all met the same, sad ending in "Sin City" -- invariably because of apathy and lack of fan support.

However, after the conclusion Saturday of the first of three contracted Takefuji events, it must be assumed that the sponsors, along with tournament director Jim Webb, are surely more than delighted with the result of their maiden tournament which was played over the spectator-friendly Las Vegas Country Club.

The large field of the world's most talented female golfers was here to entertain and show off their skills -- which they did in no uncertain manner -- and in addition, both pleased and impressed those in attendance.

It must be added that in this scribe's opinion (and I've watched every sanctioned professional golf tournament staged in town since 1973), these ladies were without doubt, the most friendly and accessible ever encountered.

Their graciousness in signing autographs, their demeanor with the public, along with their genuine desire to interact with those in attendance, knew no bounds and was in startling contrast to many previous golfing events here.

Although the weather was not what you would call brilliant Chamber of Commerce stuff, it was OK and caused no serious problems with the exception of a two-hour lightning delay during Friday's afternoon play.

As in any major sporting event that is played in this city, much of its success is predicated upon the support of the local populace. Although there was room for many more followers of this fascinating yet frustrating game, those lucky enough to be in attendance last week, according to Webb, appeared to be in greater number than back during the LPGA's J.&B. Scotch Pro-Am days at the old and now defunct Desert Inn Country Club -- and that is an excellent sign indeed.

In an event of this magnitude, the logistics are enormous and there is no way that golf in particular can be successful without the huge number of volunteers who give so freely of their time. I for one would like to thank them publicly for a job well done.

However, while on the subject, I do think that the two most accessible holes at the LVCC, and by far the most pivotal -- the par-5 ninth and the par-5 18th, particularly the 18th -- should have more than two volunteers controlling the almost always talkative crowds. Both greens are very close to spectators and invariably you have a couple of know-it-alls yakking up a storm while players are attempting to putt -- putts that could mean many thousands of dollars or possibly even outright victory.

Overall, I believe the Takefuji Classic got off to a wonderful start here in Las Vegas, and with more support from locals next year, it can only become increasingly successful.