Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 10, 1993 TAG: 9306100292
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB McLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
King, who has been associated with the Blue Hills Golf Club since 1957, is the 21st member. He has been involved with the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1974.
"Billy has been an outstanding golfer in his own right," said Ned Baber, executive director of the Hall of Fame. "He also has had a positive influence on the Hall of Fame. He is the only pro from the original seven clubs who has been with the Hall of Fame from the start. He has been very active in the promotion of junior golf throughout the valley. He also is interested in doing all he can for golf on all levels."
When King, 49, heard of his election, he said he felt very humble to be included with those members who had done so much for Roanoke Valley golf or had enjoyed an outstanding playing career.
"I only wished my mom and dad could have been here to enjoy it with me and the rest of my family," King added. "You know my dad [the late Clarence King] was an initial inductee, and I hope I live to see when my mom [the late Martha King] will also be inducted."
Billy King won his first tourney of importance at 16 when he captured the Roanoke Jaycees Junior event. He won the old Roanoke City-County in 1965. The same year he set a record in winning the prestigious Payton Memorial in Virginia Beach. He shot rounds of 65-67 for a 132 total.
His outstanding teen-age career won him golf scholarship offers to Virginia Tech and schools in Texas and Maryland. He played at Virginia Tech for one season before he was drafted into the Army in 1964.
After he was discharged, he returned to Blue Hills to help his dad, who was the head professional. When Clarence King was killed in an airplane accident in 1970, Billy King was promoted to head pro.
Over the years King has won titles that include the Miller Open in Tennessee in 1979. But he said his top thrill as a player came in 1980 when he won the Virginia State Open.
"That was especially satisfying because I had finished second the two years before," he said. "A lot of people were beginning to say that I was the perennial bridesmaid. I really won it when I shot a 66 the second round."
King and his partners won three state two-man titles. His partner was John Snyder of Charlottesville when he won his first two in 1980 and 1981. He won his third in 1988 with Roanoke's Wayne Holley as his partner.
His competitive career was put on hold last winter when he was seriously injured in an accident in foggy conditions on Afton Mountain. He has recuperated and recently was the low qualifier for the state open at Staunton.
"Billy is an excellent player," said J.D. Sisson, a charter member of Blue Hills and now the club's representative on the Hall of Fame board, "He has a great short game. . . . He really has an interest for the younger players and does all he can to help them develop. I know he has been a mainstay of golf in the Roanoke Valley."
King will be inducted formally at the annual awards banquet in November.
by CNB