Columnist Peter Benton: Land, Jablon win Champions Title at LVCC member-guest event

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Absolutely gorgeous weather conditions and a course in pristine shape greeted a capacity field of golfers at the Las Vegas Country Club last week for their 34th annual Member/Guest Golf Tournament.

The format for this year's event was best-ball of partners the first day, and combined low net the second (with 90 percent of handicap.)

The venerable, and it seems always ailing, Ken Land, along with guest George Jablon, finishing barely in the middle of the pack the first day of play, played brilliantly the second to win the overall Champions Title with a score of 65-141--206.

Former Hooters tour player J.P. Oberweis and Bob Christensen, with a 68-152--220, captured Overall Low Gross honors, and aspiring PGA Champions tour player Pat Laverty (who is at the PGA qualifying tournament) and John Tennant placed second after rounds of 67-158-225.

Bob Vennes and Ron Clyde, outright leaders after 18 holes with a truly outstanding 59, came in with a somewhat disappointing 149 the second for a total of 208. The did, however, win the Belfry Flight. The Bob McNamara/Ted Baker pairing placed second with 210, and sharing third with 213s were the teams of Todd and Larry Terry plus Russ Olson and Tom Tittle.

Oakland Hills Flight winner was the Don Pitchford/Tom Fehrman duo at 212, two strokes better than the pairing of Alan Andrews/Jack McCarthy, Joe Brandise/Joey Brandise and Russ Schroeder/David Foggia.

Playing very consistently both days were Garth McBride and Brad Laking, scoring 66-144--210 to take top honors in the K Club Flight. Rob and J.R. Eyler placed second at 213, and third with 215 was the Tom Page/J.D. Dickenson team.

George Balaban and guest Ralph Johnston showed their tenacity on the second day of play by coming in with a tournament-tying record 141. Their total score of 208 won the Valhalla Flight. Greg Pike and Troy DeLuca placed second at 211, while in third place with 215 were Dan Shapiro and Roger Sherrard.

Saturday's closest-to-the-pin awards went to David Jewkes on the third hole (3 feet, 1 inch); Alan Andrews on the 7th (2 feet, 6 inches), Greg Pike on the 14th (1 foot, 3 inches), and Joey Brandise on the 17th (3 feet, 2 inches).

Sunday's honors went to Rob Mullaney on the third (8 feet, 9 inches), Alan Green on the 7th (3 feet, one-half inch), Vic Cohen on the 14th (1 foot, 10 inches), and David Roberts on the 17th (1 foot, 8 inches).

There are a few spots remaining in the Las Vegas Odyssey Celebrity Chef Shamble Golf Tournament which is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 7 at the Rio Secco Golf Club.

Each three-person team (there's a maximum of 20 teams) will have the opportunity to select their favorite chef to complete their foursome in this memorable event. Not only that, but each chef selected to play from the exclusive list will present his or her team with a goodie basket filled with culinary delights.

Competing players will be vying for wonderful prizes, such as travel and tickets to next year's Masters in Augusta, Ga., a limited edition signed Gielees by Odyssey resident artist Thomas Arvid (valued in the thousands of dollars) plus much, much more.

In addition to playing with a celebrity chef, contestants will be presented with a gorgeous leather gift bag, partake of a continental breakfast and be treated to the Blues Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the conclusion of play. (The luncheon is open to nongolfers who would like to indulge in the gourmet delights of Odyssey chefs.)

For more information regarding this novel and exciting tournament, call 257-2345 or contact the Odyssey headquarters at 2121 Industrial Road (between Sahara and Oakey).