Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509250081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Not that the Northeast Roanoke course had gone anywhere. It's been in the same spot since the 1920s, but without a course-maintenance must - an irrigation system.
The course's owners are in the process of remedying that oversight. Workers broke ground this past week on a new double-row irrigation system that Ole Monterey owner Cy Bahakel hopes will make his course more competitive in the Roanoke market.
The new system, drawing water from nearby Tinker Creek, is expected to provide almost complete irrigation coverage of the course, including greens, tees, fairways and some parts of the rough.
``It's something we felt we had to do to make the course more appealing and more competitive with others in town,'' said Bahakel's son, John, who is overseeing the project. ``We've had been talking about it for a good time and now seemed like the time to do it. We've seen an increase in play since 1993 to today, and after talking with people who played there, we felt this is what the course needed most.''
The computer-controlled watering system is expected to be completed and fully operational before Christmas, John Bahakel said.
The irrigation system should provide much-needed relief for a layout many have considered one of the area's best. With no water, however, Ole Monterey has been stricken in the hot summer months by hard-pan fairways that can produce little resembling grass.
``Water. It's what we've been hoping for for a long time,'' said Bruce Carr, Ole Monterey's head professional. ``Hopefully, we can dress up a few more things on the course, too, and make it even better.''
Before the irrigation project, the Bahakel group had spent money on refurbishing the clubhouse, parking lot and carts. John Bahakel hinted there could be more improvements in store.
``We have quite a bit of unused land and a swimming pool that's unused,'' he said. ``Maybe that's bad for us and the community.
``Course-wise, we probably need a little more sand, maybe some more trees to make it little tighter and more challenging.
``We will talk with the folks who use the facility and find out what's most important to them and what's needed most.''
While John Bahakel said the club would like to strengthen its membership base, he said there are no plans for Ole Monterey to go the private-club route.
``We hope to have a few more members, but not an overwhelming amount,'' he said. ``We're a public facility first. We feel like Roanoke needs some good recreation for the folks, and we hope to provide it.''
BILLY RAY IN TOWN: No, not country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, but PGA Tour professional Billy Ray Brown.
He will be the guest pro for Tuesday's 14th annual APB Whiting Oil-Shell's Tee-Off for Sight benefit tournament at Hunting Hills Country Club.
Brown, a two-time PGA Tour winner, will play 18 holes with 10 area men's club champions, then conduct a clinic for participants and fans, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the 10th tee.
The Champion of Champions competition, pitting the 10 club champions in head-to-head medal play, will begin at 10:45 a.m.
The 1995 club champions field features: Randy Buchanan, Water's Edge; Jack Allara, Hidden Valley; Keith Myers, Hunting Hills; Ron Willard II, Waterfront; Todd Parker, Ole Monterey; Jake Allison, Roanoke Country Club; Bill Burton, Hanging Rock; Tim Chocklett, Countryside; Andy Miller, Botetourt Country Club; and Rodney Naff, Blue Hills.
SAND BLASTS: Olde Mill Golf Club, the ever-growing gem in Laurel Fork, held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for its new pool and tennis facilities. ... Roanoker Sam Griffin, a member of the Tuesday-Thursday old-timers' pack at Blue Hills, recently shot a 6-under-par 65, beating his age by two shots. Griffin had an eagle and four of the 40 birdies fired that day by the 32 senior hotshots. ... Hidden Valley head pro Tim Holbrook and partners Holley Updike, Ethel Waldron and Margie Ricketson finished second in a recent Pro-Lady event at Winton Country Club in Amherst.
by CNB