Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511200104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Give Roanoker Billy King an A-plus for his first week of work at Senior PGA Qualifying School.
The longtime head professional at Roanoke's Blue Hills Golf Club finished as his class valedictorian Friday, winning the Senior PGA Tour's regional qualifying tournament in San Antonio, Texas.
King, 51, fired a final-round of 2-under-par 70 at Woodlake Country Club to finish with a 72-hole total of 2-over 290, good enough for a two-shot margin on the 144-player field.
Most important, the victory gives King an automatic spot in the tour's Final Qualifying School, a 72-hole test at Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Nov.28-Dec. 1.
If King can finish in the top eight in California, he will earn his playing card for the 1996 Senior PGA Tour season. If he finishes ninth through 16th, King will be afforded partial playing privileges for '96.
"I'm excited about the way I'm playing,'' said King, who had rounds of 76-68-76-70 at Woodlake. "This does a load for my confidence, I tell you.
"I'm coming home now for a few days before I head to California. If I had it my way, I'd like to go on to California tomorrow and tee it up. I feel good.''
Gary Stickfaden, a former Roanoker now living in Virginia Beach, also qualified for the final school. He shot 295 to finish in the low 19 and earn a spot in California.
by CNB