Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
"Playing with Vinny was kind of inspiring," Widicus said of his pairing with seven-time champion Vinny Giles of Richmond. Giles, 45, who eliminated Widicus in the semifinals of match play last year, shot a 75.
Next in line at 70 was John Minor, a 41-year-old insurance broker from Richmond who was in or near the lead for three rounds in the 1989 Signet Open of Virginia tournament.
Three players were tied at 71 - 1988 champion Keith Decker of Martinsville, 42-year-old J.P. Leigh of Chesapeake and 19-year-old Virginia sophomore Tom Zeuthen of Charlottesville. All had four birdies and three bogeys.
The group at 72 for the 6,820-yard Birdwood Golf Course included defending champion Tom McKnight of Galax. Also at par were two-time VSGA player of the year David Partridge of Richmond, Bob Johnson of Reston, Gary Strickfaden of Virginia Beach, Mike Matthews of Oakton, Virginia Commonwealth golfer Tom Joyce of Bassett and 21-year-old Stanley Jones of Norfolk, who has one semester left at Old Dominion.
Giles was one of a large group at 75 that included two-time former champion Wayne Jackson of Newport News and Blacksburg Open champion Michael Grant.
Grant took an eight on the par-3 fourth hole, double-bogeyed the par-4 11th and played the other 16 holes 4-under. The low 32 qualifiers after a second 18-hole qualifying round today will begin two rounds of match play Friday.
There will be two more rounds of match play Saturday, with the two survivors playing 36 holes Sunday for the title.
McKnight has won three times in the past six years.
by CNB