Columnist Peter Benton: Kung highlights strong LPGA field in Las Vegas

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 9:22 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The $1.1 million LPGA Takefuji Classic April 12-17 at Las Vegas Country Club is shaping up to be even bigger and better than the inaugural event last year.

Candie Kung, a rather nervous second-year touring professional when she won this event in 2003, developed into an extremely confident player, as she proved in no uncertain manner as the season progressed. With her victory in the Takefuji, and oozing confidence, she went on to win the Wachovia LPGA Classic, hosted by Betsy King, plus the State Farm Classic.

Kung, who held off a late charge by the LPGA's Tour Player of the Year Annika Sorenstam in our tournament last year, will be back to defend her title (and the $65,000 that goes with it) against what is shaping up to be a star-studded field.

In 2002, her first year on tour, Kung displayed an amazing amount of poise and promise with a fourth-place in the Weetabix Women's British Open. Four other top-10 finishes proved without doubt that this young lady was on her way to a promising professional career.

Kung, who was born in Taiwan and raised in Fountain Valley, Calif., has excelled in golf since taking up the game at 13. She was a three-time American Junior Golf Association All-American, the 1999 AJGA Player of the Year, and was the winner of the 2001 U.S. Public Links Championship.

She was a two-time NCAA All-American at Southern California and the winner of the 2000 Pac-10 championship. Kung, 22, qualified for the LPGA Tour on her first attempt following a year on the SBC Futures Tour.

A weekly Ground Pass, good for admission to the grounds throughout the tournament week is $30, and a weekly Clubhouse Pass, good for admission to the grounds and the clubhouse, is $50.

Parking is $5 in the Silver Lot, Tuesday through Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention center. Free shuttles will be provided to and from the course.

Each Pro-Am contestant in the 18-hole scramble will (along with the golf) receive a wonderful gift package, an invitation for two to the Black Tie Welcome Dinner on April 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Casino, an invitation for two to the Pro-Am Awards Party on April 14, a Pro-Am parking pass good for the Pro-Am day only, along with two additional weekly grounds badges.

For further information regarding entry into the Pro-Am, please call the tournament office at 898-4653.