Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408250047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nick Varney's golf trophy case overflows with hardware from local tournaments.
City-County Juniors ... Andrew Haley Memorial ... Smith Mountain Lake Junior Open. You name it, Varney has won it.
Everything, that is, except the Bob McLelland Metro Invitational.
But if Varney gets his say, that will change today.
Making his final shot at a Metro title a strong one, the Glenvar senior blitzed Blue Hills with a 4-under-par 67 Tuesday to take a three-shot lead on Northside's Brian Hill into today's final round at Countryside.
``Its a good way to get going,'' Varney said. ``I had a number in mind coming over here. It just happened to be 67.''
The number turned out right. The same couldn't be said for the script.
``To shoot 67, one would have figured I would have had at least two birdies on the three par-5s I parred [Nos.6, 13 and 14],'' Varney said. ``But I didn't birdie a one. But what I didn't get at several easy holes, I made up for some of the harder holes.''
Varney scored three of his four birdies at Nos.8, 11 and 15, three of the hardest holes on the course. His final birdie came at the par-5 18th, which he reached in two. He didn't have a single bogey.
``I can't remember the last time I had a round without a bogey,'' he said. ``There were no close calls, really. At 14, I was in the bunker in three, but knocked it to a foot and got up and down.''
Hill, winner of last week's City-County, was the only other player to break par. The Northside student lipped out for eagle-3 at No.18 for 69.
``I was 3-under on the par-5s,'' Hill said. ``I hated making bogeys at Nos.16 and 17. But it was a good round. I had 29 putts.''
The only other player within six shots of Varney is Lord Botetourt sophomore Daryl Byrd, who shot 71. Byrd led his age group at the Scott Robertson Memorial two weeks ago before fading to 81-86 the final two rounds.
``I had a big leash at the Robertson and it was tight around my neck,'' Byrd said, insinuating a ``choke'' job.
In the team race, heavily favored Northside shot 9-over 293 to open up a 15-shot lead on second-place Lord Botetourt and Glenvar. Defending champion William Byrd and Cave Spring are tied for fifth at 309.
Besides Hill, Northside was sparked by senior Brian Agee (73), sophomore Jason Orlando (75) and sophomore Jacob Jarrett (75).
``It's going to be very difficult for anybody to catch Northside,'' Varney said. ``They're shooting some low scores, and now they're going back home to Countryside.''
by CNB