Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 28, 1995 TAG: 9505310022
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
During a recent visit to The Homestead Resort, the longtime PGA Tour standout said he believes the skills of today's youth have been dulled by the lack of match-play competition.
``When Curtis Strange and I were growing up, about everything we played in was match play,'' Wadkins said.
``Now, you look around and about everything is medal play. That's the thing that sort of disturbs me with the AJGA [American Junior Golf Association, which sponsors most of the country's top youth tournaments].''
Wadkins contends the large number of medal-play events has made for softer, less-driven players.
``I'm watching these kids go out and finish 10th in stroke play and think they had a good week,'' Wadkins said. ``They don't experience winning. When I was coming up, if you didn't win in match play, you got a big zero. These guys are getting pats on the back and hearing, `That's great,' for finishing 10th.
``That has carried over into college golf somewhat, and even into the ranks of younger players on tour. They haven't learned to win on a regular basis.''
NO FOOL, THIS KID: Wadkins, who represents The Homestead on tour, said his youngest son, 2-year-old Tucker, has quickly picked up on his father's connection to the Hot Springs mecca.
``Any time I put on any kind of shirt'' bearing the resort's logo, Wadkins said, ``Tucker looks at it and says, `Daddy's hotel ... Daddy's hotel.'
``So Gary,'' Wadkins said, pointing at Homestead president Gary Rosenburg, ``you can sign him up quick.''
PUTTER PUZZLE: One has to wonder how many Senior PGA Tour victories J.C. Snead would have if the Hot Springs native could handle the short, flat stick in his bag.
At Sunday's Bell Atlantic Classic in Malvern, Pa., Snead, in large part because of an uncooperative putter, lost a four-shot lead to charging Jim Colbert on the final 11 holes.
``I don't understand why I can't putt,'' said Snead, after being denied his second 1995 triumph. ``It's a weird game, but there's always something wrong with me.
``I'll leave it short and leave it short, then knock the hell out of it. [Colbert] made more putts in three rounds than I've made all year.''
The Bell Atlantic, played on the tough Chester Valley course, appeared to be the perfect spot for Snead, whose best shots at victory always seem to come on layouts that produce unusually high scores.
Snead's first Senior Tour victory, two years ago, came in San Antonio, where he shot 2-under. His winning score at Miami this season was 4-under, a '95 tour high until Colbert's winning 3-under number May 21.
Nevertheless, Snead can't be too unhappy. He banked another $79,200, which increased his season's earnings to $365,769, fifth on the circuit.
REFORMATTED GBO: The Greater Blacksburg Open, Blacksburg Country Club's annual summer shindig, will have a new format for this year's event, scheduled for June 24-25.
For the first time, the tournament will have three divisions: professional, amateur and senior (55 and older as of June 23). In another change, the field no longer will be flighted after the first round.
Plus, the purse for the pro division has been greatly increased. In the past, if a pro won the tournament he received $500. Now the pro victor can take home $900 - $750 for first and a $150 bonus. Second place pays $500 and third $250 for the pros.
The 36-hole tournament, which is sponsored by First National Bank, is open to the first 144 entries (nine pro spots). Entry fee is $110. Deadline is June 17. Call Kemp Fant at (703) 382-5379 or Bruce Monroe at (703) 951-9147.
FREE TIPS: Arnold W. ``Skip'' Brown, Roanoke representative for the financial services firm Edward D. Jones & Co., will conduct a free seminar for area golfers Friday, featuring one of the game's greats, Johnny Miller.
Through the company's private satellite network, those attending will be able to watch Miller's seminar, which will originate live from Napa Valley, Calif. Viewers will have an opportunity to phone in questions for Miller to answer on the air.
The clinic will run from 1-2 p.m. at Brown's 2115 Crystal Spring Ave. office. For information, call Brown at (703) 344-9211.
QUOTE OF WEEK: ``If [Bob] Murphy can, I know Vinny can. But Vinny might have to cut down on his intake of certain beverages a little bit.'' - Lanny Wadkins, when asked if Virginia amateur legend Vinny Giles could make it on the Senior PGA Tour.
SAND BLASTS: Roanoke native Ed Sneed had his best week as a Senior PGA Tour rookie last week, finishing fifth and winning $35,200 at the Bell Atlantic. ... Roanoker Jim Wright has applied to regain his amateur status. The former Cave Spring High School star turned professional shortly after finishing third in the 1992 Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame tournament. ... Former Roanoke resident Gary Strickfaden has retired from a lucrative job in the Tidewater area and moved to Pinehurst, N.C., where he will attempt to hone his game and try to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour. ... Roanoker Arman Fletcher, who has won more than 300 tournaments in a career spanning five decades, won't be collecting more trophy-case hardware anytime soon. Fletcher is expected to miss this summer's tournament schedule after undergoing shoulder surgery recently. ... Chestnut Creek's head professional, Steve Firebaugh, recently scored his first competitive hole in one, acing the 152-yard 16th hole at Mariner's Landing with an 8-iron. Firebaugh's father, Buddy, Phil Castellon and Jerry Reynolds witnessed the feat. ... The Colonial, Williamsburg's first true daily-fee course, opened Friday. The par-72 layout, designed by Lester George and Robert Wrenn, includes three regulation practice holes that serve as a warmup for players.
by CNB