Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993                   TAG: 9308100191
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CALIFORNIAN AT HOME AT RCC

Stepping on the golf course for the first time, the 16-year-old Californian shot a 1-under-par 70 to pace qualifying for the 10th Scott Robertson Memorial junior tournament that starts today at RCC.

"I didn't know much about Roanoke before, but I like what I've seen so far," Weiner said. "My dad called here last week and asked [entries director Gene Hawthorne] what I would probably need to shoot to qualify. When the guy said 80 made it last year, Dad said get a plane reservation. He told the guy I hadn't shot 80 in two years. That's close to being right. I think I had an 81 once."

Weiner said he was shocked to see his airplane starting to land Sunday on a strip with mountain ranges on both sides.

"Seriously, I thought Roanoke was on the ocean," he said. "I later looked on the map and Roanoke is about as far west as you can go in Scores in Scoreboard. B2 Virginia. I figured it was on the coast because I had heard in history class about the Lost Colony of Roanoke [Island, N.C.]."

The Sherman Oaks, Calif., native was far from lost at Roanoke Country Club. He was never in serious trouble, hitting 16 greens in regulation.

"I asked the guys in the pro shop about the course . . . stuff like what are the tricky holes, where to hit driver and where to lay up," he said. "They gave me some good information."

Weiner said he felt pressure to play well. He didn't care to travel 6,000 miles round-trip to play one round of golf.

"I didn't want to get back on that plane [today], believe me," Weiner said. "Now I've found the place, let's stick around another three days."

Scott Puffer of Ohio followed Weiner with a 72.

Salem's Ray Harrell and Ridgeway's Chad Wright each shot a 75 to pace area qualifiers.

There was a seven-way playoff at 81 for the final five of 41 qualifying spots. Troutville's Mark Sweeney was one of the survivors, parring the first extra hole.

Cameron Yancey of Blackstone shot a 74 to lead 13-14 qualifying. Roanokers Jason Orlando (78) and Brandon LaCroix (79) were third and fourth, respectively. Twelve players qualified for six 13-14 spots.

\ TOURNAMENT NOTES: Brad Hyler of Raleigh, N.C., scored an ace, holing out with a 5-iron on the 179-yard 16th hole. The excitement of the 15-year-old's first career ace was blunted somewhat by the fact that he shot an 82, missing the playoff in the 15-18 division by one stroke. . . . Harrell's Glenvar High School teammate Tommy Lesperance is the first alternate in the 15-18 division. Lesperance should be a lock to play since several qualifying-exempt players are expected to not show. . . . Jay Golden, a member of the Yonex staff, will conduct a long-drive exhibition today at 6:30 p.m. on the range. Golden, 44, has a career-best drive of 355 yards in competition.