Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508210045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Two upperclassmen, two new pupils and one old teacher had memorable days in the first two rounds of match play at Countryside golf course.
The upperclassmen, Roanoke Valley Golf Association veterans Rodney Naff and Mark Funderburke, each won two matches to move into an Open Division quarterfinal tilt this morning. Naff downed rookie Brian Agee 2-up in the second round, while Funderburke topped Jerry Landrum 5 and 3. (Results in Scoreboard. B4)
For these two Blue Hills regulars, it will be a rematch of the 1993 championship final. Naff won that one, but the two buddies have waged many other battles since. Often, money is on the line.
``It helps you when it comes to match play,'' Funderburke said.
The other quarterfinal matchups include: defending champion Adam Harrell versus the teacher, Tim Chocklett, who also coaches the William Byrd High School golf team; Cam Young against Don Foster, the '92 champion; and Scott Hunter against Brian Hill, the other rookie.
Harrell and Chocklett and Hunter and Hill will go out first at 8:04 this morning, while Naff and Funderburke and Young and Foster tee off at 8:11.
In the Senior Division, Bill Proffitt links up with Don Hampton and Gibby Wingfield draws Gene Funderburke. They will all start at 8:18. Proffitt is the top seed in his first year with the Seniors, while the elder Funderburke is back after beating cancer a year ago. Today his victim was George May by a 6 and 5 count.
Although Agee, the low Open Division qualifier, bowed to Naff, his young classmate, Hill, carded two victories. First, he took it to Mark Washington, a Baptist minister, with a 9 and 7 decision.
Next, Hill went out with Todd Parker. Parker won the first two holes with two 35-foot putts, giving Hill a helpless feeling.
``I felt sorry for him [Hill],'' said Hunter, another member of their foursome.
That sympathy won't be there today. When Hill turned the strokes of putting luck in his favor at No.18 by rattling home a 25-footer to edge Parker 1-up, a Hill-Hunter meeting was assured.
``You think you've got the match won, and he rolls in a 25-footer,'' said an exasperated Parker, who missed a short birdie putt on the same hole.
Agee was disappointed he couldn't help Hill carry the rookie banner, but he didn't have any complaints. When you include the qualifying, he was 6-under through four rounds and he took a former champion, Naff, to the last hole.
``He's the toughest golfer I've seen,'' Naff said. ``I want nothing more to do with Brian Agee.''
Nobody wanted to have anything to do with Chocklett, either. And unfortunately for Don Goode and Scott Griffin, they were the two men in his draw. Chocklett is looking for his first championship appearance, and if his play continues, he might end up there.
Chocklett beat Goode 4 and 3 and then bounced Griffin 7 and 6. After coaching Byrd to so much success over the years, he could enjoy some of his own Friday. But with Harrell slated as his next opponent, he can't think about a celebration.
``I'll have to play real well against him just to be in the match,'' Chocklett said.
by CNB