Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Whether he likes it or not, Rodney Naff has blown his cover.
Despite the fact his meteoric game no longer is a secret - evidenced by wins in the past two local majors - Naff scoffs at being tabbed the favorite heading into this week's Valley Amateur men's golf championship.
``How can I be the favorite?'' Naff asked Tuesday. ``What have I done?''
Plenty.
As a virtual unknown a year ago, Naff broke through in the Valley Am, beating Mark Funderburke in the final.
Then, proving that victory was no fluke, Naff outdueled more celebrated and heavily favored Mike Smith to win the Hall of Fame in June.
Now, everybody knows the long-hitting, 38-year-old former car dealer. In 12 months, Naff has gone from obscurity to favorite.
``I don't understand that,'' Naff said. ``Mike Smith has to be the favorite. He's the best player in Roanoke. Everybody knows that. He's a cut above the rest.''
Naff and Smith just might settle that issue this week. Smith, the 1988 champion, was a late entry for the tournament after he failed to qualify for next week's U.S. Amateur.
Qualifying this week shouldn't be much of a problem for Smith, the No.1 men's amateur last year in Roanoke. With Naff getting the defender's automatic exemption into match play, Smith will be the top-heavy favorite in the 36 holes of qualifying, which begins today at Blue Hills and concludes Thursday at Hanging Rock.
Among those who could give Smith a run for the qualifying medal are Funderburke, 1992 runner-up Robert Floyd, Ted Comer, Tim Chocklett and David Hagadorn.
Contenders from the youth brigade include collegians Scott Hunter, Adam Harrell and Andy Miller - all of whom play at George Mason University.
The low 31 qualifiers join Naff at Countryside on Friday for the first round of match play. Match play moves to Blue Hills for the weekend, with the 36-hole final on Sunday.
Although Smith's late entry bolstered the field, former champions Bobby Penn (1990-91) and Don Foster (1992) will be missing. Each has a prior work commitment.
In the 50-and-over Seniors Division, defending champion Gibby Wingfield heads a field of 17 entries.
Because of the small field, Wingfield, unlike Naff, wasn't afforded the luxury of an automatic spot in match play.
Wingfield's prime competition will come from past champion Reggie Clark of Floyd, division rookie Bill Proffitt and three-time former Valley Amateur champion Connie Sellers.
The low eight Senior qualifiers advance to match play.
by CNB