Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506260109
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Sullivan fired four birdies and an eagle Saturday en route to shooting a 6-under-par 66, giving him a two-stroke lead in the First National Bank Greater Blacksburg Open at Blacksburg Country Club.
``With the course like this you can hit the ball where you want it and you know it is going to stick,'' said Sullivan. ``The ball will not roll as much, so you can play target golf.''
Despite playing a bogey-free round, the Roanoke resident struggled with his driver. Sullivan, the top-ranked club pro in Virginia, hit only two fairways with his driver. But what he lacked with the driver he more than made up for with his short game.
``I hit a lot of greens from the rough and was able to make my putts,'' said Sullivan, the club pro at Hanging Rock in Salem. ``I missed some good chances, but I was never in position to bogey. I am very pleased with the results.''
Sullivan's closest pursuers are amateurs Jeff Lynch and J.W. Entsminger, who shot 68.
Entsminger fashioned his round on the strength of five birdies on the front nine. Lynch also took advantage of the first nine holes, recording three straight birdies in one stretch.
``I made a lot of one-putts, and didn't miss many greens,'' said Lynch, who lives in Roanoke. ``With all the rain the course played very nicely.''
Four-time champion David Tolley, who shot 69, figures to make a charge in today's final round. Tolley, a professional, shot a blistering 31 on the front nine that included two birdies and two eagles. But Tolley was unable to sustain his play, and he bogeyed holes 10, 11 and 12 to drop back in the pack.
The day's biggest surprise was provided by Maurice Oakes, who is playing in the seniors division (over 55). The Gretna native had a 71, which puts him in a tie for ninth place overall and gives him a five-shot lead on the seniors field. Ned Baber and Gib Wingfield, who shot 76, are tied for second.
Oakes' round was highlighted by an eagle on the 408-yard par-4 12th hole. Using a 3-iron, Oakes holed out from 190 yards for the tournament's most dramatic shot.
``I was just glad it went on the green,'' Oakes said.
Four strokes back, after an opening round of 70, are Dicky Linkous and David Havens. Despite being 2 under, and in contention, Linkous was not happy with his play.
``I didn't play well at all,'' said Linkous, a professional who won this event in 1992 and 1988. ``I was lucky to shoot a 70. I just hope this was my bad day.''
Linkous' mood was was in stark contrast to that of Havens. The Wytheville native, who will be a redshirt junior on the Virginia Tech golf team next year, was happy with his play.
``I hit the ball great,'' said Havens. ``I had one of those rounds that could have been great, but I am pleased with what I shot.''
Others at 70 are amateurs Keith Myers, Jack Allara and Hoge Baur.
This is the first time in the event's 21-year history that the field was broken into three classifications: professional, amateurs 54 and under, and seniors. In the past players have been flighted according to their handicap and on-course performance.
by CNB