Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 7, 1995 TAG: 9508080025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke Country Club provides the playpen for some of the nation's top junior golfers this week.
The Scott Robertson Memorial Junior tournament, which in its first 11 years has risen from a local affair to a national-draw event, starts today at RCC with qualifying for the featured boys' 15-18 division.
The 54-hole tournament, which attracted some 350 entries from 23 states, starts Tuesday and continues through Thursday.
``I would say this is the strongest field we've ever had,'' said Miller Baber, head of the tournament entry committee.
Approximately 60 players will play today for the final 23 spots in the 15-18 field that already includes 118 players exempt from qualifying.
Top area players hoping to gain a tournament spot include Daryl Byrd, Lee Fisher, Ray Harrell, Andrew Hatt, Tommy Lesperance, Josh Mattox, George Pickral, Eric Reynolds and Brian Whitaker.
At least this year, the boys' 15-18 field won't have to contend with Neal Kauffman. The Nebo, N.C., youngster turned RCC into his personal shooting gallery in 1994, opening 66-67 and leading by as many as 11 shots before settling for a five-shot victory over Roanoker Ryan Ketron and Tennessean Michael Trailor.
With Kauffman too old to defend, there's no clear-cut favorite.
Pennsylvanian Henry D'Alonzo, who was fourth last year, and Cincinnati's Andy Sanders, fifth a year ago, are back. Lynchburg's Jimmy Forehand and Richmond's Ben Keefer, who tied for sixth in '94, also return.
Other top threats include: Marylander Miguel Rivera, who lost the title in a playoff to Mike Meade of Bluefield, W.Va., in 1993; last year's 13-14 winner Jon Babich of Rockwall, Texas; 1992 Virginia State Junior titlist Chip Glover of Verona, who was eighth last year; and Blackstone's Cameron Yancey, who captured last week's state junior championship.
Nick Varney, who helped Glenvar High School to three Group A state titles in four years, heads the list of area threats. Other possible local contenders include Brian Agee, Mark Baldwin, Jacob Jarrett, Brandon LaCroix, Justin Young, Jason Orlando, Josh Points, Mark Sweeney, Doug Kenney and RCC junior champion Sanders Wilhelm.
The 30-player boys' 13-14 field is headed by Roanoker Lee Taylor, winner of last week's 13-14 state junior crown. Taylor's competition figures to come from Texan Mark Pollard, who was fourth last year, Amherst's Ryan Stinnett and Pearisburg's Russ Johnston.
Mallory Crosland of Bethesda, Md., will attempt to defend her title in girls' play. Other top contenders include Midlothian's Anne Cardea, third last year, and Marylander Emily Johnson, fifth a year ago.
As an added attraction, former national long-drive champion Art Sellinger will conduct a free clinic for competitors and fans at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
by CNB