Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408100019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I thought somebody would shoot in the 60s,'' said King, 16, who will be a junior at Mills Godwin High School in Richmond this fall. ``All I was trying to do was qualify.''
King did more than claim one of 29 spots for the 15-18 age bracket of the Scott Robertson Memorial golf tournament. He led the qualifying by one stroke over Justin Young from Roanoke.
First place in the 13-15 age group went to Zac Pfingst from the Southampton County town of Sedley. He was the only player in his division to break 40 on the back nine and finished with a 76, one shot ahead of Daryl Byrd of Roanoke and Kurt Bitter of Dublin, Ohio.
Young, who showed his fondness for the layout when he shot 64 from the white tees in Virginia State Junior qualifying, had a chance to tie King before a 3-foot birdie attempt hit the cup at No. 18 and spun 3 1/2 feet below the hole.
Young, who will be a junior at Northside in Roanoke, calmly converted his par effort and finished second - two shots ahead of Wytheville's Jon Ervin and Andrew Weissinger of Virginia Beach.
``When I got the notice that I hadn't been accepted, it was incentive for me to come up and win [in qualifying],'' said Weissinger, who completed his round early in the afternoon and was the leader for more than an hour.
Entry chairman Gene Hawthorne said automatic bids are based on several criteria, not all of them relating to stroke average or handicap. A major consideration is past participation and performance in the Robertson, as well as age.
When choosing between two applicants of equal credentials, the committee is more likely to select a younger player who will return in future years.
Although King and Weissinger had never played at Roanoke Country Club before the weekend, unfamiliarity proved no hindrance.
``I've got to remember that I've still got three days to play,'' said King, who had five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey during his eventful day, ``but you go into the tournament feeling better after a round like this.''
by CNB