Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508240072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They say the best golfers are those who stay out of trouble, and yet know what to do when they find it.
North Cross senior Brian Whitaker demonstrated that maxim Wednesday at Countryside, winning the 36-hole Bob McLelland Classic.
Whitaker chipped in for a par at No.16 and fired a 2-over 73 to finish at 147, one stroke ahead of Patrick Henry freshman Ryan Crush. Crush recorded a 72 Wednesday, the low score of the tournament.
Whitaker started the day one shot behind the co-leaders, Northside teammates Justin Young and Jacob Jarrett. Whitaker and Young played in the last foursome; Jarrett was one group ahead.
The 12th hole, a 507-yard par-5 with out of bounds running down the left-hand side, spelled doom for both Vikings. Jarrett's errant drive led to a double-bogey 7, and moments later, Young hooked his second shot past the white stakes and took an 8. Suddenly, solid, consistent, mistake-free play gave Whitaker the lead.
Young and Jarrett finished two and three strokes off the pace, respectively.
"I pretty much knew where I stood,'' Whitaker said.
But on 16, a 140-yard par-3, Whitaker's tee shot found the pond which fronts the green. Taking a drop for a one-stroke penalty, he chipped his next shot into the cup.
``[Before the shot] I was thinking I'd get a four, at least,'' Whitaker said.
Crush's round included four birdies and five bogeys. ``This is the biggest high school tournament I've ever played in,'' said the 14-year old, who enters the ninth grade in two weeks. ``I played pretty steadily; I drove the ball well and putted well.''
The performance of Crush and fellow PH freshman Ryan Patterson, who finished sixth at 151, helped their team place third (at 634) and bodes well for the Patriots' upcoming seasons.
In the team competition, first-round leader Northside prevailed, finishing eight shots ahead of North Cross. Jason Orlando was the Vikings' medalist Wednesday with a 75.
by CNB