THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Tuesday, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110406 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Jack Barrett was the only golfer in the 194-player field able to match par in the opening of the First Flight Tournament at Elizabeth Manor Monday.
And it took a tournament-record back nine of 4-under 31 for the Virginia Beach golfer to do it.
Barrett's 70 gave him a one-shot lead over Marc Tefft of Chesapeake. Tefft had 36-35 for his 71.
Five other players shared third place with 73s - Charlie Mathis, Matthew Spruill, Robert Podmenik, George Kemp and Henry Ezzell.
The 19 front-runners were bracketed in the championship flight today. The low 12 scorers in the 36-hole tourney will qualify for Thursday's Eastern Amateur.
Barrett, a 51-year-old retired Navy master chief hull technician, is seeking his third consecutive tournament victory this year. He won the Virginia Beach Amateur and the Little Masters at Langley.
``I had an awful start,'' said Barrett, a native of Concord, N.C., who has lived here since 1985. ``I was upset by a bogey at No. 3 and then double-bogeyed No. 4. But the round turned around for me after I just missed a birdie putt at the ninth hole.''
Barrett ran off birdies at Nos. 10, 11, 13, 14 and 18. He 3-putted at 16 for his lone bogey on the back.
``I've been playing golf for about 20 years,'' said Barrett. ``I guess right now I am playing my best.'' ILLUSTRATION: PAUL AIKEN
Staff
George Kemp blasts out of a bunker at Elizabeth Manor. He is tied
for third in the First Flight; 12 players will advance to the
Eastern Amateur.
EASTERN AMATEUR GLANCE
[For a copy of the qualifers, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB