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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 18, 1994                   TAG: 9409270012
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

1ST ROUND OF VALLEY AM QUALIFYING WASHED OUT

Heavy rain washed out the first round of qualifying Wednesday at Blue Hills, and if another deluge hits today and wipes out play at Hanging Rock, the event will be canceled, said tournament director George May.

``If we can't play [today] or get in at least 18 holes of qualifying, we'd have no other choice but to cancel the tournament,'' May said. ``If that does happen, we'll refund all entry fees and not play. We've got our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate.

``We'll play in the rain today if Billy [McBride, Hanging Rock's head professional,] deems the course playable and player safety is ensured. We don't want people out there hurting themselves.''

May toured Hanging Rock with McBride.

``The bunkers could be a problem,'' May said. ``It looks like we will have to play all bunkers as ground under repair.''

To expedite play, May said, McBride has agreed to reduce the troublesome 394-yard par-4 18th hole to a par-3. The field will play the hole from the red markers, 100 yards closer to the green than usual. The alteration will shorten the layout from 6,216 to 6,116 yards and reduce par from 73 to 72.

Weather permitting, the top 31 qualifiers in the 71-player open division will join 1993 champion Naff in match play Friday at Countryside. The low eight in the 17-player senior field also advance.

Match play continues Saturday at Blue Hills. The 36-hole finals are scheduled for Sunday at Blue Hills.