WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/14/02

[1-News-Head]

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

State charges against Ed Matricardi are dropped, but his lawyer's hot over it. Learn why on NEWS 7 at Six.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Plus, the Roanoke Steam courts potential owners as it tries to keep attendance from evaporating.

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

IN sports, the Avalanche says last night's landslide on Frederick won't lead to over confidence, the Philadelphia Flyers have a new head coach
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[VO-NAT]

and Duke assistant men's basketball coach Steve Wojcieowski talks about his star recruit, J.J. Redick
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

A fast snap back into March-like weather but it won't last long as the winds diminish tomorrow. Details just ahead.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Roanoke County is the area's latest government to wrestle with a budget hole.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Tonight it will be the public's turn to weigh in on the county's finances.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And I'm Shannon Young.
[County-Supers]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#02-08 TC1:49:10]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Today the County Administrator presented a budget plan to the board of supervisors.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Money is tight... Roanoke County is dealing with a nearly one million dollar deficit.
[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon and Teresa/Microwave]

Teresa Hamilton is at the County Administration building where a public hearing will be help later today.
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: major deficit in funds. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=@Hodge; :28]
[SUPER=@Flora; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=for the next year.]
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[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon and Teresa/Microwave]

[Blacksburg-Zoning]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC1:50:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Blacksburg town council is expected to vote tonight on an issue that may greatly affect future development in the region.
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[VO-NAT :17.5]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
A local dentist wants to build a new office on Prices Fork Road. But the proposed area is zoned rural residential which doesn't allow for commercial properties. Town Council is being asked to alter the town's comprehensive plan and change the zoning so construction can go forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:04 // 1:05:16]
[IN Q=HIS REQUEST]
((ROGER HEDGEPETH/BLACKSBURG MAYOR; HIS REQUEST IS FAIRLY SIMPLE BUT // IF WE CHANGED SOMETHING TO ALLOW THE OFFICE YOU'RE RIGHT WE'VE OPENED THE DOOR FOR A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS NOT DESCRIBED IN THE COMP PLAN.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Hedgepeth/Blacksburg Mayor;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=COMP PLAN.]
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[VO-NAT]
If the zoning were changed, commercial development would be much easier in parts of Blacksburg. Offices would need only to get a special permit to build. Tonight's town council meetings is at 7:30.
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[Franklin-Zoning]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Residents of a Smith Mountain Lake community want to stop a subdivision before it gets off the ground.
The land is on the north side of Route 616 ... across from the Crazy Horse Campground in Moneta.
Local developers say they want to build 37 upscale single family homes -- 11 of them on the waterfront -- that will occupy an acre of land apiece. But the zoning they're seeking ALSO allows "large-scale development."
Nearby homeowners from Deer Creek North Cove are worried the developers will crowd the neighborhood with homes, boats and businesses.
Franklin County Planners will hear from both groups tonight at 7.
[Eavesdropping]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=501-10 TC2:00:22]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

GOP official, Ed Matricardi, is "free to go" for now.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Earlier today, a circuit court judge dismissed the eavesdropping charges against the former head of Virginia's Republican Party...but only to make way for the possibility of federal indictment.
Meghan Muldooon has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Prosecutors argued]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Dinkin/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney;:16]
[SUPER=01-Steven Benjamin/Matricardi's Attorney;:42]
[SUPER=@Meghan1 :55]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond]

((Prosecutors argued successfully today that the growing scope of the eavesdropping probe warranted federal prosecution.
Even though the state abandoned its case against Matricardi, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Dinkin said they will continue as "joint participants" in the investigation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:33:04]
((BILL DINKIN/ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: WE'RE NOT WALKING AWAY. IN FACT, WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT THIS IS GETTING INVESTIGATED EVEN MORE THOROUGHLY. HE'S NO LONGER UNDER INDICTMENT. HE'S NOT UNDER A BOND. HE'S LIKE ANY OTHER CITIZEN. HE'S FREE TO GO.)) [RUNS:13]
Matricardi's attorney says his client has been exonerated.
As for the likelihood of new federal charges against Matricardi, he says he doesn't care who prosecutes the matter because his client is innocent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:37:24]

((STEVEN BENJAMIN/MATRICARDI'S ATTORNEY: IT WAS A MEETING THAT WAS REQUIRED BY VIRGINIA LAW TO BE OPEN TO ANYONE INTERESTED. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW MR. MATRICARDI LIKE ANY OTHER CITIZEN HAS THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO ATTEND THESE CONFERENCE CALLS AND TO RECORD EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID.)) [RUNS:15]
Federal authorities are under no timetable to complete the investigation.
But when's its over, it's likely that Matricardi will find himself in court again.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond))

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7, we'll check into an area hospital... and get an update on its big construction project.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Plus the downside to picking up a team named Steam.
We'll hear what the club's new management has to say.
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[Eavesdropping]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=501-10 TC2:00:22]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

GOP official, Ed Matricardi, is "free to go" for now.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Earlier today, a circuit court judge dismissed the eavesdropping charges against the former head of Virginia's Republican Party...but only to make way for the possibility of federal indictment.
Meghan Muldooon has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Prosecutors argued]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Dinkin/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney;:16]
[SUPER=01-Steven Benjamin/Matricardi's Attorney;:42]
[SUPER=@Meghan1 :55]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond]

((Prosecutors argued successfully today that the growing scope of the eavesdropping probe warranted federal prosecution.
Even though the state abandoned its case against Matricardi, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Dinkin said they will continue as "joint participants" in the investigation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:33:04]
((BILL DINKIN/ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: WE'RE NOT WALKING AWAY. IN FACT, WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT THIS IS GETTING INVESTIGATED EVEN MORE THOROUGHLY. HE'S NO LONGER UNDER INDICTMENT. HE'S NOT UNDER A BOND. HE'S LIKE ANY OTHER CITIZEN. HE'S FREE TO GO.)) [RUNS:13]
Matricardi's attorney says his client has been exonerated.
As for the likelihood of new federal charges against Matricardi, he says he doesn't care who prosecutes the matter because his client is innocent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:37:24]

((STEVEN BENJAMIN/MATRICARDI'S ATTORNEY: IT WAS A MEETING THAT WAS REQUIRED BY VIRGINIA LAW TO BE OPEN TO ANYONE INTERESTED. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW MR. MATRICARDI LIKE ANY OTHER CITIZEN HAS THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO ATTEND THESE CONFERENCE CALLS AND TO RECORD EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID.)) [RUNS:15]
Federal authorities are under no timetable to complete the investigation.
But when's its over, it's likely that Matricardi will find himself in court again.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond))
[Stonewall]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC1:02:39]
[ANCHOR=Keith]

Lexington's Stonewall Jackson Hospital is undergoing a 20-million dollar face-lift.
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[VO-NAT:14]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]

A new facility has already replaced many areas in the old hospital building that will soon be torn down.
Renovations to other areas are also underway.
Hospital officials hope the changes will mean easier access to services for patients.
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[SOT14:45]
[IN Q=It's not just a convience thing]
((ROY WRIGHT/ STONEWALL JACKSON HOSPITAL CEO & PRESIDENT: IT'S NOT JUST A CONVENIENCE THING IT'S ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT OUR PLANNERS HAD IN MIND WHEN THEY FELT THE NEED TO UPGRADE THIS FACILITY))
[SUPER=01-Roy Wright/Stonewall Jackson Hospital CEO;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=upgrade this facility]
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[VO-NAT :20]

When it's all complete next Spring the new hospital will be double the size of the old building.
The facility is equipped with some of the latest technology.
Additional services like aqua therapy will be offered.
The hospital has also added a "Fit for Life Center"... for 20 dollars anyone from the community can workout.
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[SOT24:19]
[IN Q=It's convenient]
((JAMES C. BRADFORD JR.: IT'S CONVENIENT AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE SECURITY THAT DOCTORS ARE CLOSE BY IN CASE SOMETHING GOES ASTRAY))
[SUPER=01-James C. Bradford, Jr.]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=goes astray]
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[VO-NAT :12]

Stonewall Jackson will focus on outpatient services and plans to eliminate 35 acute care beds that have been rarely used.
The hospital will hold it's grand opening this Saturday from 10 to 1 p-m.
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[Warner-Healthcare]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Medical News]

Governor Mark Warner wants to increase participation in a state-sponsored health insurance program for children from low-income families.
Virginia has had to return about 56-million dollars in unspent health insurance money to the federal government since 19-98 because the state hasn't signed up enough families.

[Terrorism-Symposium]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's top anti-terrorism official says the federal government's color-coded guide to terrorist threats must be modified. John Hager made the remarks this morning while speaking at Old Dominion University. Hager is the assistant to the governor for commonwealth preparedness. He says the current system created by the national Office of Homeland Security is too complicated and needs to include threat levels for states or regions Hager also says the private sector must work closely with the government to prevent terrorism since business and commercial interests are primary targets.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Better-than-expected April retail sales gave Wall Street its second rally in a row. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/189.52/10299.18/x/66.89/1719.43;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW climbed 189 and a half points.
NASDAQ rose 67.
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[VO]
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[SUPER=272-h/0.49/65.70/h/0.93/58.32/h/0.73/31.58/h/0.87/22.49/h/0.34/45.27;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.26/22.59/h/0.63/21.50/h/0.01/0.70/i/0.83/54.91/h/0.78/15.53;]
[SUPER=274-h/1.03/69.03/i/1.05/97.46/h/1.22/42.16/h/0.82/38.74/h/2.35/57.39;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Steam]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC1:56:51]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The Roanoke Steam is NOT bankrupt.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The team is eager to point out that its former owners are the ones who recently filed for Chapter 7.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

The Steam is now on the hunt for new owners, and as Jennifer Miele tells us, they'll have to settle more than just the score.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Jenkins/Steam's General Manager;:16]
[SUPER=01-Andy Goldstein/Arena Footbal Attorney;:33]
[SUPER=01-Jim Evans/Roanoke Civic Center;1:02]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2;1:15]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JM News 7, Roanoke.]
(([NAT SOUND] ((YES THIS IS... THIS MORNING.)) [RUNS04]
The Arena Football 2 League thinks it made a good call.
On Friday it took control of the Roanoke Steam... and hours later the team's FORMER owners filed for bankruptcy.

[SOT]
((ED JENKINS/STEAM GENERAL MANAGER: ALL I CAN SAY NOW IS THAT WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION WE'RE OWNED BY A VIABLE OWNERSHIP GROUP AND VIABLE OPERATION.)) [RUNS05]
The league wants to make a clear distinction between itself and the Steam's former owners.
Attorneys say the league is in charge and in the black, and that the Steam is here to stay.
[SOT]
((ANDY GOLDSTEIN/ARENA FOOTBALL ATTORNEY: THE STEAM WILL PLAY ITS GAME THIS SATURDAY IN ALBANY, THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY AND THE REST OF THIS SEASON AND IN THE FUTURE HERE IN ROANOKE.)) [RUNS10]
And the game is on to battle declining attendance.
The Steam is hopeful its 4 and 2 record and playoff hopes will draw more fans to the Civic Center.
What may be even more important though is a grassroots campaign to build interest.
According to the Civic Center... that can happen with a new, local owner.
[SOT]
((JIM EVANS/ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER: SOMEONE WHO'S REALLY LOOKING TO PUT EFFORT INTO IT TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE TEAM AND ROANOKE.)) [RUNS08]
Shoulder pads and helmets and most other equipment wouldn't be included in the deal -- right now, that will have to be liquidated.
The league wants to strike a deal to buy all of it, but is willing to purchase all new equipment if the former owners don't agree on a price.
It's the hard-hitting part of football you don't see during the game.
Jennifer Miele, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

The Duke assistant basketball coach known as Wojo puts Cave Spring's J.J. Redick in an elite class, bad news for PGA pro Scott Hoch,
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[VO-NAT]

and the Avalanche addresses the fact the team is 8 and 9 at home while going 14 and 6 on the road.
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[S-Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-120]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]

The Avalanche will look for its' seventh straight win tonight, but Sale must first find the combination to the Frederick Keys, a team the Avs beat 15 to 1 last night.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

Salem is in first place in the Southern Division and respecting the 10 and 27 Keys is important.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="we]
[SUPER=01-Stu Cole/Avalanche Manager; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=......bat on the ball"]
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[VO-NAT]

The Avalanche has 14 wins on the road this season but just 8 at Salem Memorial, something the players are aware of.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="you look at...]
[SUPER=01-Brad Hawpe/Avalanche First Baseman; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=.....turn this around this series"]
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[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-119 1:19:34]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]

On to another type of diamond for a high priced three rivers district softball match up between Glenvar and Floyd County.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Buffaloes vs. Highlanders; :00]

A beautiful, windy day for this rematch. Glenvar beat the Buffaloes last week on Floyd's home turf.
We pick up the action in the bottom of the first inning. Watch basketball star Allison Fasnacht crush this triple to deep center field, the ball goes over the center fielders head and that is gonna allow Holly Dixon to score all the way from first. 1-nothing Glenvar.
We move on to the bottom of the second. Floyd comes up with some solid defense. Glenvar attempts to bunt, but Floyd pitcher Ashley Hartman catches the ball, for the out and then guns down the runner at first for the double play, we will have complete results at 11.
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[S-Wojo]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-117 1:40:39]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]

Duke assistant basketball coach Steve Wojciechowski was the featured speaker at the B'Nai B'rith athletic and achievement awards banquet last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

He spoke on many topics including adversity, something Duke's head coach Mike Krzyzewski has experienced of late. Coach K recently had hip replacement surgery, an operation that took place in the midst of Duke losing Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer and now Mike Dunleavy to the NBA draft.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Steve Wojciechowski/Duke Assistant Basketball Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=.....very high level"]
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[VO-NAT]
Wojo also mentioned Duke's star recruit, Cave Spring's J.J. Redick, who Coach K came and watched this past season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=.....get it started"]
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[vo-nat]
Wojo not only has high expectations for Redick, but says J.J. has a chance to play right away at Duke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=....like we did"]

(-----------------)[S-Rogers]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=tech]

The Roanoke Valley Sports Club announced today that Virginia Tech quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers will serve as the features speaker at the club's next meeting this Monday night at 6:15 at the Salem Civic Center. Rogers was the offensive coordinator and QB coach at Notre Dame and Syracuse before coming to Tech.

[S-NHL]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-115 1:40:50]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]

Ken Hitchcock has been hired to coach the Philadelphia Flyers, the N-H-L team announced the hiring today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NHL; :00]

The Flyers bring back to Philadelphia a man who won a Stanley Cup championship.
Hitchcock was an assistant with the Flyers in the early 1990s. He then spent nearly six seasons coaching the Dallas Stars, who fired him in January. The Stars reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice under Hitchcock, winning the title in 1999. The 50-year-old is known as a demanding coach who emphasizes defense. He becomes the Flyers' fifth coach since 1997.
(------------)

[S-Hoch]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-111 1:48:54]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]

PGA star Scott Hoch (hohk) is still having eye problems following surgery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC; :00]
Hoch, who pulled out of the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic and failed to defend his title there, has withdrawn from this week's Colonial in Fort Worth. Hoch has been on of the Colonial's most consistent competitors, finishing in the money in 15 of 17 appearances. He had lasics surgery to correct vision problems. (------------)