ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607080149
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: GOLF
SOURCE: RANDY KING
Just in case, Salem's Dot Bolling had better pack her birth certificate before she takes her golf bag to Hot Springs in two weeks.
In a move that apparently has surprised everyone but herself, Bolling has opted to go the Senior route July 22-26 in the women's State Amateur championships.
``I don't think a lot of people know about it yet,'' said Bolling, Roanoke's top women's amateur player. ``Well, I turned 50 on Feb.7. And whether people know it or not, I've always said when I was eligible that I was going to go play in the Seniors. If I win it, then I'll go back to juniors.''
Bolling's decision is bad news for this year's Senior field. Bolling, who finished second in the State Am field two years ago on the demanding Cascades course, will be a heavy favorite against a much thinner 50-and-older group on the easier Homestead layout.
``I feel like this is a chance for me to take advantage of the situation,'' Bolling said. ``I look around and see a lot of other players older than me who won't do it. I know some who could have gone and won it a long time ago. But they didn't and now they may not ever win it.
``Who knows? I might not be around two years from now. So I don't want to look back and say I wish I would have done it while I was 50. I don't want to have that regret. Why not go win it, get your name on it, and then go on back to the big course [Cascades] and the'' State Amateur?
A victory in the Senior division of the State Am would punctuate a great summer for Bolling. She already has won the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame, the Lynwood Ladies Invitational (by three over Martinsville's Fran Hensley last week) and the Senior title at the Virginias Women's Stroke Play Championship.
``That was my Senior debut,'' Bolling said. ``At first, the lady called me back and said I've sent my entry to the wrong person. I said, `I sent it to the right person.'
``Once I got there, they asked to see my driver's license. I told 'em, `You didn't ask when you took my money, so you're not going to see it now.'''
Bolling, who neither looks nor acts 50, said her decision is not a concession to youth.
``Age is just a number,'' Bolling said. ``Heck, I'm playing the best golf of my life now. So what's age got to do with it?''
JUNIORS TEE IT UP: Defending champion Marty Stanley of Martinsville heads a strong field for this week's Andrew Haley Memorial tournament.
In a move that enhances the fast-growing event, the tournament site has been moved from Martinsville's Lynwood Golf & Country Club to the more challenging Mariners Landing layout in Huddleston.
The 36-hole tournament, which will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, has attracted entries from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware and Tennessee.
Besides Stanley, other prominent early entries include the Martinsville duo of Jason Holland and Daryl Perdue, plus Roanokers Josh Points and Jason Orlando.
McLELLAND RANKINGS: Thanks in large part to his busy summer tournament schedule, North Cross' Brandon LaCroix has taken a huge early lead in the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame's McLelland Junior rankings.
In results tabulated through July 1, LaCroix has earned 940 points. His North Cross teammates, Travis Horak (310), Trey Clower (300) and Brian Whitaker (270), stand second through fourth, respectively.
The rest of the top 10 is: Roanoke Valley Christian's Joel Nester (260); Patrick Henry's Lee Taylor (200); William Byrd's Greg Austin (200); Byrd's Mike Damiano (170); Cave Spring's Chris Pugh (110); and Franklin County's Matthew Chandler (100).
The North Cross and Roanoke Valley Christian players have been aided by the fact they've already received points for their performances in the spring high school season. The Roanoke Valley's public school players won't be able to earn high school points until their season begins in the fall.
WAIT A SECOND: Roanoker Rodney Naff's 61 on June 20 at Blue Hills was widely believed to be the lowest round on record at a Roanoke-area club.
Not so. Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Famer Dicky Linkous holds that distinction, shooting 60 on his home Hunting Hills layout in the late 1980s.
However, both scores were equal in relation to par (10-under).
ACES WILD: While some purists may argue holes in one at Brookside, the popular Williamson Road par-3 course, are tainted, there's nothing bogus about Tim Chocklett's career ace resume.
The reigning Valley Amateur champion recently scored his eighth ace when he holed out with a wedge on Brookside's 85-yard first hole.
ROLL CALL: Entries still are being accepted for the sixth Smith Mountain Lake Junior Open, which will be contested July 29-30 at the Waterfront Country Club.
A field of more than 120 players from Virginia and surrounding states is expected. Juniors ages 11-18 may apply for the tournament by calling the Waterfront's pro shop at (540) 721-2653.
NICE TRIP SOUTH: During the past week's State Amateur, a lot of folks wondered about the absence of three-time champion Tom McKnight.
The Galax native was in Mount Pleasant, S.C., competing in the prestigious Rice Planters Invitational. The University of Virginia graduate had an enjoyable trip, finishing fourth, at 6-under 210. McKnight finished only one shot out of a three-way playoff for the title, which was won by University of Tulsa star Michael Boyd.
SAND BLASTS: The seventh Virginia-West Virginia Junior team matches will be held Friday and Saturday at Roanoke Country Club. Virginia, which won 12-6 in last year's rain-shortened event, leads the series 4-2. ... By making the final eight of match play in the State Amateur Championship, Roanoker Charlie Keffer earned an automatic exemption from zone qualifying for the 1997 State Am and AMF-Signet State Open. ... Greg Fry, Basil Fry, Bob Hunt and Howie Burgess combined for a 19-under-par 54 in capturing the recent American Red Cross benefit at Hanging Rock. The 19-under total is a record for a captain's choice event held at the Rock.
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