Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140074
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At age 51, Billy King goes back to school today. When he's done, he hopes to bring home a card. Not a report card, but a 1996 Senior PGA Tour card.
The Roanoke native will be among a field of 144 players teeing off today in San Antonio, Texas, in a first-round qualifier for those vying for their 1996 Senior PGA playing card. The top eight finishers in the 72-hole event earn automatic berths in the Senior PGA's final '96 qualifying school, scheduled for Rancho Mirage, Calif., during the final week of December.
King, the longtime head professional at Roanoke's Blue Hills Golf Club, said it's a case of now or never. He has rubbed shoulders with the Lee Trevinos, Ray Floyds and Dave Stocktons while qualifying and competing in three Senior PGA Tour major tournaments the past two summers.
``I felt like this was the right time for me,'' he said. ``I'm playing well, and I've been around the big boys three times in tournaments now. I've played with Charlie Coody, Bruce Summerhays, Walt Zembriski. They're great players. There's just a fine line between them and me. Now, I guess you'd say I'm trying to cross that line.
``Really, it's now or never almost. In Seniors, you've got to hurry up and get out there. At this age, you don't have a lot of time to mess around.''
King, who finished second to New Yorker Gene Borek in the national Senior Club Pro of the Year standings, doesn't have to be reminded the odds are against him. The Senior PGA holds very few spots open for players who never competed on the PGA's regular tour.
``It's harder for a guy like me to make it, and it should be,'' King said. ``Those guys with the big names off the regular tour are the ones the Senior crowds come to see play.
``But, hey, I had to try. You never know. Jim Albus did it. Tom Wargo did it. Zembriski did it. So it can be done.
``I figure I'll go give it my best shot, and whatever happens, happens.''
If King fails to win his card, he said he would like to play on the Senior Series Tour next year.
``It's like the Nike Tour is to the PGA Tour,'' King said. ``It's a good tour. They play a lot of $100,000 tournaments.''
King picked up approximately $10,000 in winnings on the Senior Series Tour last year.
``It's not a bad place to play,'' King said. ``But if you had your pick, you'd choose to go play with the big boys.''
by CNB