Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 9, 1990 TAG: 9006090169
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Willard, who had visited a Rolfer - or muscle therapist - before teeing off, held the lead for most of the day before Linkous came in with a 3-under-par 67 in the next-to-last threesome.
Until that point, Willard's 68 was the low round at Hunting Hills in the 17-year history of the event.
Under the best of circumstances, Willard would not have been considered a likely candidate to break par in this, his first, Hall of Fame appearance.
"Is that the guy who used to play basketball for Roanoke College?" Linkous asked.
The very same.
Willard, a one-time basketball star at Andrew Lewis High, played for the Maroons from 1972-74 after transferring from East Tennessee State.
"I played golf in high school, but then I got into fast-pitch softball," said Willard, 39. "A lot of these guys don't know me and I don't know them. I've heard of Dicky Linkous, but I've never met him. I wouldn't recognize him if we passed on the street."
In that case, introductions will be in order today, when Linkous and Willard will be paired in the final group at 1:30 p.m. at Blue Hills. The women's Hall of Fame will get under way earlier in the day, with the final round of both tournaments set for Sunday at Hidden Valley.
Hunting Hills, seeking its third consecutive men's championship, took advantage of Linkous' round to finish the day with a six-man total of 444, but led by only one shot over Roanoke Country Club and by seven shots over Blue Hills.
Roanoke was led by Dan Keffer, who settled for a 70 after a bogey at No. 18, and defending champion Mike Smith, who was 1 under for the day before finishing with a double-bogey and bogey in a round of 72.
"That may be too far back, especially the way I'm playing," Smith said. "I just keep losing good rounds [in tournaments]. I can't seem to get in the clubhouse."
Said Keffer: "I can't complain about a 70. I didn't come in thinking I could have the low round any day since we're not playing at Roanoke. But if I have a good round each day, I should be in good shape."
Linkous appeared ready to bury the field when he birdied three of the first five holes, but he did not have another birdie until the par-4 11th hole, a 298-yard dogleg where he drove the green and two-putted.
"That was probably the first time I've driven the green in a legitimate tournament," said Linkous, 32. "It was the big shot in the round. The way I started out, with a chance to birdie the first five holes, I was thinking about shooting 63 or 64. Then to make bogeys at Nos. 6 and 7 was a big letdown."
Willard was happy just to be playing after an 8:30 a.m. appointment with his Rolfer, Frank Wu. The session ended at 9:45, in time for Willard to wolf down a biscuit before his 10:24 tee time.
"There's no question I couldn't have played if I hadn't seen him this morning," Willard said of Wu. "I called [Blue Hills pro] Billy King on Thursday and said I didn't think I could play. He said, `You've got to play. I'm already using my two alternates.' "
Willard had experienced tightness in his lower back Wednesday and had to end a practice round at Hidden Valley after 13 holes. However, after Wu manipulated Willard's back muscles, they were almost as good as new.
Willard had five birdies in a nine-hole stretch starting at No. 6 and was 4 under until bogeying No. 15 and No. 18. Willard said he thinks his nerves will hold up, thanks in part to his background in other sports, but he isn't sure about his back.
"We'll see about that in the morning," he said. "I asked to see Frank again, but he says it's not good to have visits so close together. Besides, what he does doesn't tickle."
by CNB