Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9411240007
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S29 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Layman got a surprise when he found out shortly after school opened that additional help was on the way. The aid came from Victor Garcia-Fernandez, a foreign-exchange student from Castelln, Spain, which is near Barcelona. Garcia also figures to help the boys' soccer team in the spring.
``We heard back in the late summer that we'd be getting an exchange student,'' said Layman. ``We've heard those rumors before, that someone is coming and wants to try out for golf. You kind of look for him and be sure he knows where to go.''
This time, the rumor said that Garcia was also a two-handicapper and that his father is a golf pro in Spain.
``You know a kid like that can help,'' said Layman.
So far, Garcia has come as advertised. He's shot a 74-76-75 in three weeks of competition including the Roanoke Valley District tournament last week.
He's teaming with Chad Williams, the Knights' No.1 golfer before Garcia arrived, and veterans Doug Kenney [12th in the Group AAA state a year ago] and Bryan Staggs. If these four shoot their average in the Northwest Region next week at Rocky Mount, the Knights will post a 304 score and probably win the title.
Garcia played some team golf in Spain, but there is no high school competition. He's thinking about staying in the United States for college if there's a place for him. With his scores, there should be.
Williams, also hoping to earn a golf scholarship with a 75.4 average, says Garcia and all the players get along with each other. He notes that Garcia has quite a sense of humor.
``We were joking around in Wendy's. I threw a piece of ice at him. Then I was talking to somebody and he threw a cup of ice on me. He's always cracking jokes,'' said Williams.
``He also says, `What?' to everything you say, but he understands. I still try to explain and he says, `I know.'''
Garcia also knows exactly what he wants. He came here thanks to a company known as Academic Year in America.
``I asked to come to a school that has a golf team. I knew I was coming here last August,'' he said.
Garcia has shot well despite playing on strange courses on which his teammates and opponents have played for years.
``If you're playing well, they're not that difficult. I'm not playing that well,'' said Garcia. ``It's not a problem of not having seen the courses. I should be making more birdie putts. The greens are rougher, bumpier [than ones in Spain].''
``The way he putts, he reads a break and goes right at it. If it hits a bump, it's gone,'' said Williams. ``I usually try to get a perfect speed. If it hits a bump, it still goes in. He's just more aggressive.''
Williams isn't upset about moving down to No.2. He fired a 72 to win the Roanoke Valley District tournament. It was his best round of the fall, so the internal competition probably helps the Knights.
``I don't mind playing No.2,'' said Williams. ``It takes a lot of pressure off us.''
``It doesn't matter to me,'' said Garcia. ``I just try to make the best score that I can.''
Garcia is getting a full taste of Americana at Cave Spring. He's joined Williams at Young Life, a group that talks about Christianity. He's been to see the Knights play football, but says soccer is more exciting to him. He's also been on a weekend expedition in Rockbridge County.
His next taste of life in the United States might be a state high school championship. The addition of Garcia makes that opportunity a more realistic goal for the Knights.
by CNB