THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 19, 1996 TAG: 9608190163
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: 71 lines
The U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, also known as The Tiger Woods Summer Sun and Sand Blast, begins today in Portland, Ore.
Woods, winner of the last two U.S. Amateurs, is the reason this lawn party attracts so much attention.
But while Woods may be amateur golf in the United States, this year's guest list also includes a player from Suffolk.
That would be Jay Fisher. The Jay Fisher who left Nansemond-Suffolk Academy last year for Furman University.
The 19-year-old Jay Fisher who is delighted to be in the company of the nation's finest amateur golfers.
``I was a little surprised I qualified,'' he said before flying off to the Northwest.
He qualified for the U.S. Amateur by tearing up the course at the Country Club of Virginia's Tuckahoe Creek course. A 2-under 70 and a 69 gave him a five-stroke victory and medalist honors.
``I was surprised I beat everybody by so much,'' he said.
They didn't just hand out invitations to the Portland bash, you see. A golfer had to play his way in.
That Fisher managed the feat might come as a surprise to his Furman teammates. The Jay Fisher who conquered Tuckahoe Creek was not the same golfer who competed in only four of Furman's nine tournaments.
``I just didn't play well this spring,'' Fisher said. ``I don't know why. Maybe I was a little nervous because I was a freshman.''
Now that his game has come around, Fisher hopes to shoot well enough in two rounds of stroke play to make it into match play.
``Once you get into match play,'' he said, ``anything is possible.''
Even, perhaps, a pairing with Tiger Woods.
``He rarely loses a match,'' Fisher said, ``so I don't know if that would be such a good thing. He's far better than all the other amateurs out there. He could be a pro right now.''
Woods might as well be, considering his fame and major tournament appearances. The winner of the U.S. Amateur, after all, is invited to the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open.
No wonder, then, that Fisher was in a hurry to check out the course he and Woods would be sharing.
``I'm sure it will be really tough,'' he said. ``Deep rough, fast greens. Probably just a little step down from U.S. Open conditions.''
Probably a little different from the Suffolk Golf Course, where, as a five-year-old, Fisher was introduced to the game by his father, John.
By nine, Jay was playing in tournaments. Then, after an outstanding career at N-S Academy, he set off on a partial scholarship to study business at Furman.
``I'm not sure about turning pro,'' he said. ``I just want to get through college.''
This week will be an education of sorts for Fisher, as well.
``Whatever happens,'' he said, ``it'll be great to know I can play with all the great players in the country. That will help me. It will help my confidence.''
And now, when his friends at Furman ask him what he did on his summer vacation, Fisher will be ready.
What did he do?
Shot the best golf of his life. Ripped up Tuckahoe Creek. Qualified for the U.S. Amateur.
Of late, Jay Fisher has been a tiger in his own right. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy graduate Jay Fisher surprised even himself
by easily qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, which begins today in
Portland, Ore. About a possible pairing with Tiger Woods? ``He
rarely loses a match, so I don't know if that would be such a good
thing.'' by CNB