Columnist Adam Candee: Area players didn’t fare well trying to master Shinnecock

Adam Candee

Wednesday, June 23, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

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

The U.S. Open frustrated the world's best golfers for four days with Teflon greens and trademark thieving rough. The track at Shinnecock Hills proved an especially tough challenge for those with ties to Las Vegas, with high honors going to former UNLV golfer Skip Kendall.

Kendall, who shot 10-under for the tournament, finished in a 17th-place tie with Tiger Woods and Corey Pavin. He followed an opening round of 68 with three rounds over par.

Chris Riley also made the cut, going 18-over to finish in a tie for 48th. Riley played three respectable rounds to enter Sunday's play at 5-over, but an 83 on the final day took him well away from the lead.

Two of the year's hottest golfers also failed to solve the arid mystery of the course. Former Rebels Chad Campbell (6-over) and Adam Scott (10-over) both missed the cut.

One of Las Vegas' most venerable golf courses could become part of the Steve Wynn empire if the casino mogul is successful in a buyout offer. This presents a couple of issues worth watching: Whether the Las Vegas Country Club will become a public venue and what effect this potential transaction could have on the LPGA Takefuji Classic, which LVCC hosts.

As reported in Tuesday's Sun business section, Wynn Golf, a subsidiary of Wynn Resorts, is offering $50,000 to buy out each membership at the Country Club. Spare us the means because we want to know about the potential ends.

The intention is to turn LVCC into a daily fee course -- for at least two years -- and make it an attractive golfing option for guests at Wynn's new luxury hotel on the old Desert Inn site. That might also give Joe Q. Golfer a better look at one of the city's best private courses.

Those with any longevity in the valley likely recall that the Desert Inn course is a landmark itself, with a rich history of hosting professional tournaments. It will become the prime course in Wynn's resort, reserved exclusively for guests.

LVCC members rejected a more lucrative buyout bid six years ago from the owners of the Las Vegas Hilton, which sits adjacent to the club. General manager Dale Telford declined comment Monday on the buyout.

The LPGA Takefuji Classic is entering the final year of a three-year deal to play the tournament in Las Vegas. The first two years of the tournament have been played at LVCC in front of sparse crowds, but seemingly to the satisfaction of sponsors. Tournament officials said in April that they hoped to negotiate a contract extension by the end of this year.

You are not likely to hear about any golfer other than defending champion and instant legend Michelle Wie at this week's U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links tournament at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va., but a couple of local girls are hanging tough after the first day of competition.

While her mother, Jane, facilitates the local AJGA juniors event, Annie Schlosser is off to a fast start after an opening round of 1-over 73. Schlosser went up and down all day, recording just eight pars but staying near the top pack during the first of two days of stroke play.

Christine Hentzner also recorded a decent round of 3-over 75 to remain well in range of making the cut. After today's stroke play, the field will be trimmed to 64 players and that group will begin four days of match play to determine the champion.