Columnist Peter Benton: Champions Tour rookie leads qualifying field; Laverty just misses

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

With a stellar final-round 64, Mark Johnson, a former beer-truck driver and California State Amateur champion, captured medalist honors at the recent Champions Tour National Qualifying Tournament over the King & Bear layout in St. Augustine, Fla.

Johnson, a rookie on the 2004 Champions Tour who finished 14th at last year's National Qualifying Tournament, was under par for all six rounds, shooting a 25-under 407, with rounds of 71-66-70-66-70-64.

Johnson played in nine Champions Tour events in 2004, placing 76th on the official money list with $134,261. His best finish was a tie for eighth at the Administaff Small Business Classic. He also has 26 Nationwide tour starts in his short career, and has played in two PGA tour events.

The big story, local-wise, was that Pat Laverty, who played in two Champions Tour tournaments via the dreaded Monday qualifying this year, winning $4,678 for his efforts, acquitted himself with distinction.

Although he failed to gain his playing card after rounds of 74-67-71-76-69-65--422, Laverty said that the experience was absolutely fantastic and he came away with the knowledge that he can definitely play with the "big boys." The whole week was a huge confidence builder which augers extremely well for his future endeavors.

Laverty said that his first round, a 2-over 74, was extremely disappointing as he struck the ball superbly, but putted miserably. He had three 3-putts, and left a half dozen or so inches short of the cup. He offered no excuses for the 76 he registered on the fourth day of play, stating it was just one of those days when there were no positives -- only negatives.

Bottom line is that he did himself proud and is an immeasurably better player after those grueling six days of intense golf.

Just think about it. A paltry four strokes away from a job -- albeit a part-time one, and nine short of being a fully fledged member of the PGA Champions Tour. Perhaps next year.

Other players who received fully exempt status were Tom McKnight, 409; Brad Bryant, 410; Don Reese, Hajime Meshiai and R.W. Eaks, 412. Pat McGowan earned the seventh and final spot after he defeated Norm Jarvis in a three-hole playoff. Jarvis added drama to the final round when he forced the playoff by chipping in for eagle on the last hole of regulation play.

Jarvis, Lonnie Nielsen, Des Smyth, Gary Robison, Dick Mast, Mike Ferguson, John Ross and Mike San Filippo all earned conditionally exempt status for 2005.

Las Vegas Country Club's Tony Silva led a group that included Mike Buss (L.V. National), Travis Long (SouthShore), Tom Storey (unattached) and Pat Duty (Rhodes Ranch) in second place. All players came in with 75s.

Mike Harper (Royal Links) and his fine 73 won the Senior Division over Storey and Buss.

In the team segment of play, a best-ball of partner affair, Dana Love (Craig Ranch) teamed with Siena's Kim Dolan to win with 67. Barnhart and a blind draw, along with Harper/Buss pairing shared second with 69s.