Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The final 18 spots in the event's record 198-player field were filled in the featured boys' 15- to 18-year-old division through qualifying Monday at Roanoke Country Club.
Eric Reynolds of Lexington and Norman Frazier Jr. of Charlottesville led qualifying as each recorded a 3-over-par 74 on the 6,469-yard layout.
Glenvar's Ray Harrell and Galax's Robert Boone were among four players at 75.
Other survivors among the 58 players attempting to qualify included Wytheville's Brian Love (77), Roanoke's Josh Mattox (77), Roanoke's Daryl Byrd (77), Glenvar's Tommy Lesperance (78) and Bassett's Kevin Harms (79).
Harms, along with Forest's Brian Glass, won the final two spots in the 15-18 field in a playoff with Brian Whitaker of Roanoke, Robby Burton of Martinsville and Kevin Kuntz of Pittsburgh. The five golfers tied at 79.
Nevertheless, the three playoff losers still are good bets to play today. Tournament organizers are counting on as many as four no-shows among the 118 players who were exempt from qualifying.
``Apparently, I'm in and I'm not in,'' said Whitaker, who will be a senior in the fall at North Cross. ``I have my fingers crossed that those other guys who say they're not coming won't show up in the morning.
``I'm kind of disappointed because I never should have been in this position. I bogeyed the last five holes to shoot 79.''
Reynolds, heading into his sophomore year at Rockbridge County High School, recovered from a shaky start to tie for the qualifying medal. After losing four strokes to par in the first five holes, Reynolds toured the final 13 holes in 1-under.
``I'm just happy to be playing,'' said Reynolds, whose older brother, Scott, was a Rockbridge County golf standout.
``After the rough start, I was able to calm down a little bit and get going. But being 15 and all, I don't think I have much chance at winning this thing. There are just so many strong players here.''
SAND BLASTS: Bedford's Lee Fisher and Blacksburg's Wes Martin, both of whom shot 80, can only hope for a rash of no-shows or late withdrawals this morning. Fisher is the sixth alternate, Martin the ninth. ... There was no qualifying for the field's other three divisions - boys' and girls' 13-14 and girls' 15-18. ... The total field came from 375 applicants, representing 32 states and Canada. ... Two-time national long-drive champion Art Sellinger will conduct a clinic for players and fans at 6:30 p.m. today on the 10th tee. Sellinger's longest drive on record is 407 yards. After catching Sellinger, the field should be revved for its own long-drive contest, scheduled for the conclusion of Wednesday's second round.
by CNB