Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 1, 1993 TAG: 9308010070
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Andrews, whose latest brush with victory on the LPGA tour came July 25 in the U.S. Women's Open, obviously has the attitude to handle the close-but-no-cigar pattern that her career has taken.
"I don't really worry about whether I win or not," Andrews said. "I worry more about how I play.
"You've just got to stay patient. When it's my turn to win, I'm going to win. It may be this year. It may be five years from now. But you can still make a living out here whether you're winning tournaments or not. And you can still have fun."
Since joining the tour in 1990, the 26-year-old Lynchburg native has banked $450,000. She has knocked on victory's door numerous times, but hasn't found the key.
Last week in Carmel, Ind., Andrews came up just short in the Open for the second consecutive year, finishing in a tie for second, one shot behind winner Lauri Merten.
"To be in contention all four days and to have a chance to win this year was fun," said Andrews, who finished third in the Open last year. "I may not have won. But look at how I lost and how [Merten] finished - to birdie two of those last three holes on that golf course, she deserved to win.
"The person making the putts always wins. When you make some putts and chip some in, that's when it's your turn to win. Unfortunately, I didn't get many to fall the last day or it could have been mine. I missed a two-footer on [No.] 7 and a three-footer on [No.] 14 on Sunday. Those kind of things cost you."
The share of the runner-up spot at the Open was only Andrews' second top 10 finish in 15 tournaments this year. The $62,431 paycheck moved her from 42nd to 27th on the money list, with $143,269. In 1992, Andrews had 10 finishes in the top 10 and won $299,839, 13th on the LPGA tour money list.
"It's funny," Andrews said. "Although I haven't fared as well vs. the rest of the field, I've felt better about my game this year.
"I think I hit a point, though, where I wasn't enjoying being out here. I wanted to be home. I hit a stretch where there were a few things a little more important to me."
Andrews said it's been difficult being away from her fiance, John Reeves. The two have been dating since meeting at the 1988 North & South Amateur in Pinehurst, N.C., and will be married Nov. 13.
"I got spoiled having him out here with me last year," Andrews said. "He's only caddied for me twice this year and I've finished 18th and second. I think I need him around more often."
\ OPEN APOLOGY: WSET (Channel 13) erred in cutting away from ABC's telecast of the final round of the U.S. Women's Open on July 25. That was the opinion of more than one viewer, including the general manager of the Lynchburg station.
WSET broke away from the live golf telecast at 6 p.m. for a half-hour local newscast. Meanwhile, Andrews was one shot off the lead with four holes to play.
"A decision was made to go to the local news, and it was an honest mistake," said Jerry Heilman, WSET's general manager. "In retrospect, we should have stayed with it, whether Donna was in it or not. Our policy is to never cut away from a live sporting event, and it won't happen again."
Heilman said the decision to air the local news "was an on-the-spot decision, and it wasn't malicious on anyone's part" when the Women's Open telecast ran one hour past its scheduled finish because of a rain delay. WSET rejoined the golf tournament after the news at 6:30 p.m.
Heilman said irate viewers not only jammed four phone lines at the station, they called his home to complain. Heilman called the station to ask about the decision.
"Our policy is that we complete the sports event, then air the local news, then join our next regularly scheduled program in progress," Heilman said. "The viewers have our apology on this one."
\ THE REAL DEAL: Virginia Tech appears to have gotten a steal in Curtis Deal.
After going to Virginia on scholarship in 1992, the former State Junior champion from Chesapeake struggled with his game. Deal, getting very little playing time in the Cavaliers' stacked lineup, transferred to Virginia Tech. He figures to be a big gun in the Hokies' arsenal.
Deal has enjoyed an outstanding summer, tying for 10th in the AMF-Signet Open and winning the recent Payton Memorial.
\ MARATHON MAN: So you think playing 36 holes in one day is a haul? Well, how about 324, the number of holes Hunting Hills assistant Jay Reid squeezed in on July 12.
In a promotion that raised more than $1,000 for the March of Dimes, Reid teed off at 5:30 a.m., and completed 18 rounds before surrendering at 10:15 p.m.
"I used a glow ball after nightfall," said Reid, who rode a cart and played alone. "I think I averaged like 73 [per round]. I was glad to beat last year, when I played 301. It didn't really bother me, though. I played again on Thursday and Friday."
\ WILLIS SCHOLARSHIP: Michael Lee Smith II, a 1993 graduate of William Fleming High School, is the first recipient of the Gordon C. Willis Scholarship. The $1,350 award, given by the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship Committee, is based on need, overall citizenship, academics and interest in golf.
Willis is a prominent Roanoke businessman who was a co-founder of Hunting Hills Country Club.
\ SAND BLASTS: Liz Waynick, a former Virginia Amateur champion from Roanoke, is in her first summer at Minikahda Country Club in Minneapolis. Waynick is a teaching pro under head pro Paul Purtzer, the brother of PGA Tour player Tom Purtzer. Waynick remains on the staff at Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she teaches during the winter. . . . Wytheville's David Havens, now at Virginia Tech, led the Payton after a first-round 68. But Havens soared to a final-round 80, leaving him in a tie for 10th. . . . Matthew Thornton of Forest shot 72-78 to capture the Payton's 13- and 14-year-old title by four shots.
by CNB