Columnist Adam Candee: 2003 champ Appleby is LVI’s biggest fan

Adam Candee

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 9:58 a.m.

Adam Candee covers golf for the Sun. Reach him at (702) 259-4085 or by e-mail at candee@lasvegassun.com.

PGA tour players usually like coming to town in October for the Las Vegas Invitational, but Stuart Appleby can truly say he loves it.

The defending LVI champion, Appleby stopped by Tuesday morning at the TPC at Summerlin to promote the event where he has enjoyed great success. In addition to his victory last year, Appleby also owns a second-place finish in the tournament.

Like most, Appleby cannot understand why the tournament that has been so good to him must always battle for sponsorship, making its future a constant source of trepidation for tournament organizers.

"There has to be a way to make this tournament grow," Appleby said, wondering aloud intelligently about how to involve the city's big-money players without turning off tour officials.

LVI director Charlie Baron is still working against a number of factors, including the World Golf Championships being played in Ireland the week before the event and the pro-am format that puts off some players and makes course setup more difficult. But Appleby feels this year's reduction from 90 to 72 holes is a step in the right direction to help the appeal of the tournament for players.

"You're used to stopping at four (rounds)," Appleby said. "You just have to get used to (five). It's tricky."

To the alarmists worried that the tournament might disappear in 2007, after the current private donation setup that is underwriting the event expires, Appleby offers the sedative of the players' and the PGA tour's desire to remain in Las Vegas.

"I don't think you need to entertain that thought," Appleby said. "I think Vegas will always find a way."

Appleby sprung forward from his LVI victory that broke a five-year drought, the momentum from which carried through the offseason as he won the Mercedes Championship early in 2004. Currently 11th on the money list with almost $2.8 million, Appleby is pleased, but not thrilled, with his play.

"It's been a good year, maybe not a great year," Appleby said, adding that he is "trying to get part A to go with part B" with his driving and irons, and his short game.

For those not familiar, the belly putter is an aptly named flat stick with a shaft that settles into the stomach you stroke a putt. Appleby took a minute to gather his thoughts about it, but ultimately said that he does not believe it offers any competitive advantage other than extra comfort to a player who enjoys using it.

"I think the players that use them aren't any better than they were before," Appleby said.

At the same time, he does not appear to be a huge fan of the putter than Vijay Singh and others are popularizing.

"It's certainly not a stroke, what I would call a stroke or what the rules book would traditionally call a stroke," Appleby said.

Appleby feels that ball design is a more pressing issue than belly putters, noting that with each Precept ball he tests, he is constantly amazed at the advancement in distance and trajectory, and he marvels each time it is improved.

The tournament, which will be a scramble format, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 18 at SouthShore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas, with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee is $350, which includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Crystal trophies will be handed out to the top three foursomes, and there will be numerous other prizes as well. For more information, call 258-5438, ext. 225.

The scramble event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 2 at Desert Willow Golf Club with a 1 p.m. start. The $125 entry fee covers the round of golf, as well as a box lunch and barbecue dinner. Prizes will be awarded. Registration is limited to 100 players.

Call the St. Francis office at 914-2175 for more information.