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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 21, 1994                   TAG: 9407250031
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HANGING ROCK GOES FOR GREEN IN PRO-AM

Hanging Rock Golf Club in Salem announced Wednesday it will offer a $10,000 purse at its annual pro-am tournament in August - four times the amount previously awarded - and organizers hope the monetary boost is just the beginning.

Roanoke County agreed to support the third Mid-Atlantic PGA Club Pro/Kazim Temple tournament Aug.15, contributing to a substantial increase in sponsorships for the charity event.

``It's very rare that a one-day event would have a $10,000 purse,'' said Billy McBride, Hanging Rock's head professional. ``The connection of the county being involved has stimulated the Kazim Temple's ability to make a more predominant pitch to sponsors.''

Roanoke City Councilman Delvis ``Mac'' McCadden, who also serves as chairman of the sports marketing committee for the Roanoke Valley, said golf had been overlooked in the area recently and that he was looking into ways to better market the area's facilities.

The most lofty goal, McCadden said, is attracting a Nike Tour event as early as 1996.

``Right now, we're trying to determine if we could financially support [a Nike Tour] event. We'll be working on it more in the coming weeks,'' he said.

Bill Oakley, manager of sponsor relations for the Florida-based Nike Tour, said he was not aware of any formal talks with officials in the Roanoke Valley or at Hanging Rock.

The Nike Tour, a stepping stone to the PGA Tour, holds 30 events a year, including the Dominion Open in Richmond - the Tour's only Virginia tournament.

``With only 30 events, somebody has to drop out for there to be a spot open up,'' said Oakley, who explained each event has a one-year contract with the Nike Tour. Proceeds are donated to charity.

Jim Scearce, a member of the Kazim Temple's board of directors, said his organization would like to expand the August pro-am to two or three days or convert it to a Nike Tour event if a big enough sponsor could be found.

``[The pro-am] is multipurpose,'' Scearce said. ``It's a fund-raiser to support Shriner's hospitals and improve the quality of life for crippled and burned children in our area. ... We also provide an emphasis on economic growth in the area.''

The pro-am is open to 32 teams consisting of one pro and three amateurs each. The cost is $100 per golfer and the deadline for entry is Aug. 7

by CNB