Columnist Peter Benton: Soon-to-open Aliante should appeal to all

Peter Benton

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Well, fellow golfers, we have a new course in the works, and if everything I am told is correct, it's going to be a real beauty and a definite asset to our area.

I am alluding to the 18-hole, par-72, 6,970-yard Gary Panks-designed Aliante Golf Course which is under construction on the northwest side of town.

Aliante is a joint venture between the Del Webb Corp. and America Nevada called North Valley Enterprises and they advise that the layout will be ready for play by December.

According to Panks, the basic fundamental goal he wanted to achieve with Aliante was to create an enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels. Low handicap golfers desire a challenge while the higher handicappers want playability, with all players wanting a fair test of their game on a layout that is pleasing to the eye. This, Panks said, has been accomplished.

Each hole on the course has four distinct teeing areas which, from the back tees, will pose a formidable challenge and will yield progressively easier shots from each closer teeing area.

Although the fairways are wide, strategically placed bunkers, trees and landscaped vegetation will encourage sound golf course management, and as any good golf course should, it will offer many risk/reward opportunities.

Aliante, however, will definitely not be a pushover as a rock-lined channel (with 14 bridges) runs through many of the holes and there are 54 bunkers scattered throughout the course to contend with.

In addition to the golf course (which will have Tif Eagle Bermuda grass on the greens and Tifway 419 Bermuda fairways), Aliante will feature a full-size driving range with a double-tier teeing area, a 14,000-square foot practice putting green, along with practice chipping and sand bunker areas.

WSNGA co-captains Sherry Jackson and Laurie Johnson selected their team earlier this month after local qualifying at the Sienna Golf Course and it consists of Margie Bowgren, Masako Brown, Rita Byorick, Sue Defrancesco, Pam Downey, Doe Emes, Irene Frank, Cindy Froates, Tammy Gephardt, Jeanne Hudgins, Dianne Jett, Brenda Knott, Karen Lafferty, Kay Medrano, Pauline May, Mary McFarland, Rene Raynes, Sue Roma, and of course both Jackson and Johnson.

Ralph Terry, another World Series pitcher, is the only other former baseballer who has competed in the U.S. Senior Open.