Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 11, 1995 TAG: 9506120071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a welcome homecoming from a trying freshman season at the University of North Carolina, Shirley fired a 4-over-par 76 to take a three-shot lead on the field.
``It's great to be back,'' said Shirley, who will seek her record-tying third consecutive women's Hall of Fame title in today's final round at Hidden Valley. ``This is where I started. I enjoy playing with these ladies. They've always treated me very nice.''
Even if the kid does beat their socks off.
While none would admit it, there had to be some contestants who had hoped Shirley wouldn't tee it up in the tournament this year and would give somebody else a shot at the title.
``I thought about [not playing] a little bit,'' Shirley said. ``But this has been my home course since I was 10 or 11. I had to play.''
Shirley, 18, didn't get to do much of that at UNC during her first year. She played sparingly in the Tar Heels' No.5 spot early in the season, but saw little action late in the schedule.
``I learned a lot,'' she said. ``It was good experience. College is a lot of work, academically and athletically, if you want to excel in both.''
At this level, Shirley's game rules. She won't find any NCAA champions in the Hall of Fame tournament.
She will find 1984 tournament champion Kathy Hull - the former Kathy Dodd. Hull, along with newcomer Ann Kite of Water's Edge and Countryside alternate Judy Knight, is three shots back at 79.
``You can rest assured that we're not going to lock the doors and say, `Congratulations, Lee,''' Hull said. ``Not yet anyway. I'm going to try to come after her.``Sure, she's going to be tough to beat. She's been playing a lot of competitive rounds in college, not the rounds with friends that the rest of us have been playing.
I'm not making excuses, but she's a lot more primed for competition than the rest of us. For us, this is the start of our season.''
Knight, filling in for two-time champion Sara Cole, probably won't get a shot today. Cole, who was in Richmond on business Saturday, is expected to return to Countryside's lineup today.
``That's fine with me,'' Knight said. ``I wouldn't mind it one bit if Sara comes back.''
Kite, who took up the game seven years ago at Water's Edge, had never been in such a lofty position. The physical therapist has no delusions of grandeur.
``I'm a long shot,'' she said. ``I'm just here to have some fun.'' Can I beat Lee? No, not after watching her today.''
Two-time champion Audrey Najjum, Marilyn Bussey and 1991 winner Mar-C Milona are at 81.
Dot Bolling, the best player never to win the Hall of Fame, apparently won't win it this year, either. Bolling opened with an 83.
In team competition, Countryside took dead aim on a record ninth title. Carried by Neva Price, Milona and Bussey, Countryside fired a 239 total to build a 10-shot cushion on second-place Hidden Valley.
by CNB