THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410240138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Kevin Miller describes his first flings with golf as if they happened just last week.
``When I was four and five years old, my dad would let me ride the cart and I'd drop a ball on a hole here and there and whack it with this cut-down driver he'd made for me,'' Miller said. ``I hit that driver from everywhere but the bunkers. I got to throw it out of the bunkers.''
Seems like last week?
It practically was.
Miller, a freshman at Salem High, has taken area golf by storm in his first year of high school eligibility.
The 14-year-old has shot in the 70s in each of his 12 competitive rounds and was medalist in seven of his eight regular-season matches.
Miller heads to the Group AAA state championships today and Tuesday after a second-place finish in last week's Eastern Region tournament.
The state tournament is being played at The Hamptons, so Miller has a bit of confidence going in. The first round of the Eastern Region tournament was also at The Hamptons and Miller shot 2-over-par 73. Only eventual Eastern Region champion Matt Paulson was better, firing even-par 71.
Miller's success hasn't surprised Salem golf coach Sue Rusnock.
``I've never had a player as mature as he is,'' Rusnock said. ``He doesn't get ruffled. His (4-over-par) 76 in the final round of the regionals might not look like much, but Kevin had never seen Sleepy Hole Golf Course before that day.''
Miller says his goal this week is to finish in the top five. Of course, he'd love to win it, particularly since it could be his last.
His father, Lt. Col. John Miller, is considering retiring from the Marines after 20-plus years of service. If he retires, the family might move out of state.
Or they might just move across the James River to the Peninsula.
Or they might not move at all.
``It's all talk right now and it's debatable,'' said the 6-foot, 165-pound Miller. ``We could stay.''
His personal ties to the Peninsula are unique and speak volumes about his athleticism. When not playing golf, Miller plays soccer for Williamsburg Soccer Club's Select Under-15 travel team, which is coached by William and Mary men's soccer coach Al Albert.
There's no guarantee, however, that Miller will play soccer for the Salem Sun Devils.
``With golf going the way it is, I might have to look at preparing for the summer circuit (of national events),'' Miller said.
In last week's Eastern Region tournament, Miller felt he was at a disadvantage in playing an early tee time. Because he had advanced as an individual - Salem's team was eliminated in district play - Miller played a full two hours ahead of the last groupings, which were reserved for members of teams playing in the tournament.
``I like to be in that last group,'' Miller said. ``I play better when I'm with better players.''
That was evident when Miller broke 70 for the first time over the summer, shooting 2-under-par 68 in a head-to-head match with Virginia Tech golfer Robbie Rasmussen, a former Great Bridge High standout.
Miller will get his wish. As low individual from the Eastern Region - Paulson officially qualified as part of his Cox High team - Miller will be in the final pairing Monday with the low individuals from the other three regions of the state.
Asked why he thinks he plays better with better players, Miller grins. ``I don't want to be known as the hack of the group,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Kevin Miller medaled in 7 of his 8 regular-season matches, with
all his rounds in the 70s.
by CNB