Columnist Peter Benton: Harrington a bridesmaid no longer on the U.S. tour

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | 9:26 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The victory at the recent Honda Classic by Ireland's Padraig Harrington was not only very popular, but also long overdue.

Harrington defeated Vijay Singh and Joe Ogilvie in a playoff to finally win his first U.S. PGA Tour title. A nine-time international winner, he has finished second an amazing 24 times on three different tours: PGA, European and the Asian.

Here are his close calls along with the tournament winners:

An amazing record to be sure, and I for one am delighted that this 34-year-old Dubliner has finally registered a U.S victory.

This year's Women's Southern Nevada Senior Amateur Championship, set for May 10-11 at the Boulder Creek Golf Club, is presently accepting entries.

The tournament is open to women at least 50 years of age as of May 10 who have a verifiable USGA handicap issued by the SNGA. The maximum handicap will be 36 and players will be flighted by age.

Format for this event is 36-hole stroke play, with the field being limited to the first 100 entries. The entrance fee of $125 includes green fees, cart, prize fund and an awards luncheon. First place gross and net may come from any flight, and the prize fund will pay at least one third of the field.

Entries must be received no later than April 29 and any further information required is available by calling Dianne at 255-2286.

Ticket prices for the 2005 LPGA Takefuji Classic, which is scheduled for April 11-16 at the Las Vegas Country Club are as follows:

Monday's qualifying, free; Tuesday's practice round and Wednesday's Pro Am, $10; for the tournament proper, Thursday through Saturday, $15 daily. A weekly ground pass is available for $30, and a weekly clubhouse pass is $50.

As parking at the LVCC is limited, the Gold Lot at the convention center will be used with a free shuttle to transport patrons to and from the course.

The Rebel Athletic Fund is hosting "Fore" UNLV Women's Golf Tournament a the Las Vegas National Golf Course on April 8.

This mixed foursome scramble has an entry fee of $175 per person, plus mulligans.

For more information, call the Rebel Athletic Fund at 895-3678.