Columnist Peter Benton: Roberts will be missed as Spanish Trail’s director

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

I recently had the privilege -- and pleasure -- of attending the farewell dinner and roast for Spanish Trail's retiring director of golf, Jerry Roberts.

The huge, raucous crowd of both members and friends who were in attendance was testament to the popularity of the aforementioned Roberts, and it will definitely take someone very special to fill the void left by his departure.

Roberts, who has been around area golf for 35-odd years, is the only head professional Spanish Trail has had since it opened in 1985.

Toastmaster Jerry Savio, along with Linda Martin, Woody Rossum, Bill Paubs and club manager Jesse Thorpe, did a magnificent job in roasting this modern-day Dorian Grey, with the comments being caustic, sometimes embarrassing, hilarious and at times very poignant.

Please be assured that I am not saying that a sartorial revolution took place when Roberts was first espied behind the counter of the old Stardust pro shop back in 1967 -- but he certainly raised eyebrows and accordingly the dress sense of fellow Las Vegas professionals.

Suave and debonair, Roberts -- Jerry to his friends, which is everybody because he has no enemies -- is not a person who takes knowing, he is a person you should know, and let me tell you this: Once you have met and befriended this fellow, you will never, ever, forget him. Just a terrific guy to have on your side.

Every member and friend in attendance was treated to a "royal" evening, and although there is reason for argument, Roberts is not of Royal heritage, but he is a man you cannot help but admire. Honest almost to a fault, polite, gracious and knowledgeable, he is just one of the most well-rounded gents you would ever want to meet. When you say Jerry Roberts, golf professional, you've said it all.

Ask any local anybody here in town about Roberts and they feel compelled to comment about him, just as one would about the weather. They will invariably add how fortunate he is to have, and have had, his beloved wife Barbara, at his side for all these years.

Although the "Dean of Las Vegas Golf" will still be around, a new position he has accepted with Walters Golf will make him a little less accessible than he once was, but he is still in our town -- and that fellow golfers is the real plus.