Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406140200
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
How strong has favorite Mike Smith been in the first two rounds of the 21st Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame men's tournament?
The guy hasn't made a putt yet, and still leads by two shots heading into today's final round at Water's Edge.
"I've hit the ball absolutely great for two days," Smith said. "But I just haven't made a thing on the greens."
If he had, this one would have been history.
Despite more woes with the flat stick, Smith was the only player in the 120-player field to beat par Saturday at Botetourt Country Club, firing a 1-under 70.
In two rounds, the machine-like Smith has hit 30 of 36 greens (83.3 percent), only to watch his putter constantly betray him on the slower greens of Ole Monterey and Botetourt.
"That's one reason I'm anxious to get to Water's Edge," Smith said. "I'm ready to get on some greens with a faster pace. It's more my kind of golf.
"I hit the ball so well Thursday [at Ole Monterey] that I could have shot 71 at Oakmont [Pa., Country Club, site of this week's U.S. Open.]. After the round, Don Foster told me, `You couldn't have shot any worse.'
"Today, it was pretty much the same thing. I haven't made a putt yet . . . except for a 10-11 footer on Thursday. That's it."
Smith's 36-hole total of 141 leads Ted Comer by two shots. Comer, one of only three players to bust par at Ole Monterey, shooting 70, had a 73 Saturday.
Reigning Valley Amateur champion Rodney Naff (72), 1993 runner-up Scott Hunter (72) and first-round tri-leader Bill Proffitt (74) are three back at 144.
Jason Perdue (72) and Jack Allara (73) are four back at 145. The Ten years only others within five shots of the lead are Bill Burton (74), Hal Orr (73) and Danny Hopkins, who triple-bogeyed the 17th hole en route to a 74.
The fact that Smith is in front doesn't surprise anyone. The 33-year-old Roanoke insurance broker has been the best amateur player in Roanoke for the past year. He finished fourth last week in a strong field at the Kenridge.
"Ten years ago, I used to get nervous if somebody called me a favorite in print," he said. "But I've played so much competitive golf the past two years, like the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur, that that stuff doesn't bother me any more."
Comer, a steady, grinder-type, said he's looking for the respect that Mr. Smith commands. The 32-year-old Hanging Rock club champion said he was somewhat disturbed when his name wasn't mentioned among the pretournament favorites.
"Yeah, it really did [bother me] this time," Comer said. "I don't seem to get a whole lot of respect. If I can win this thing, I should get a whole lot more respect."
Naff rescued his round after hitting two balls out of bounds and making triple-bogey-8 at the par-5 6th hole. Now he can play for second place, he claimed.
"Mike Smith is too good," Naff said. "He's a lock as far as I'm concerned. He would have to back up, and I don't see him doing that. It's over."
Smith charged Naff with trying to play "mind games."
"Hey, I don't think it's over," Smith said. "I'm glad he thinks it's over, though."
It's likely over for Hunter Morrissette, who was only one shot behind Smith before finishing with a quadruple-bogey-9 at No. 17 and a bogey-5 at 18.
Morrissette's nightmare at the par-5 17th included a lost ball and another one struck out of bounds.
The team competition is anything but over. Hidden Valley leads (882) leads Roanoke Country Club by three shots, Hanging Rock by five and defending champion Blue Hills by seven.
"We finished seventh last year, so we're on a mission," Hidden Valley head professional Tim Holbrook said.
by CNB