ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606110061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Although this year's deal of courses plays right into his hand, Jake Allison isn't rushing to cast any wagers on his chances in the 23rd Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame men's tournament.
When the local scene's biggest major starts today at Countryside, the defender merely hopes he's a contender.
``It would be nice to be able to leave town [during the tournament] and say I couldn't defend,'' Allison said. ``That would be a good excuse, other than the fact I'm playing like a dog.
``Right now, I'm not playing nearly as well as I was two years ago or last year. So I'd just be delighted to be involved in the back nine on Sunday. I'd like to think I could handle that, but getting there is the problem.''
One problem Allison won't have is getting to the courses. This year's rotation for the 54-hole event - Countryside, Ole Monterey (Saturday) and Roanoke Country Club (Sunday) - couldn't be a better draw for the former Northside High School star.
``In a way, that's my three home courses,'' Allison said. ``It's the three courses I grew up on at different stages. I've played those three far more than any of the others [in the valley]. So I like the courses ... that's if I can get it done.''
The 32-year-old internal audit manager for Norfolk Southern Corp. took care of business last year. Allison shot 1-over-par 213 to win his first Hall of Fame title by one stroke over Jack Allara.
Besides Allara, who tied for third in 1994, there are more obstacles on Allison's road to a repeat. They include 1989 champion Mike Smith, '93 titlist Rodney Naff and three-time winner Bobby Penn.
``I think it's going to be a crapshoot,'' Allison said. ``I think there are 10 to 20 guys who have a shot. It's wide open.''
In a sense, Allison won't be the only defender on hand. Penn won the event the last two times he played (1992 and '93). The long hitter from Salem didn't compete the past two years because of personal commitments.
``Bobby doesn't need to play to be good,'' Allison said. ``If Bobby were playing a few times a week, nobody around here would beat him. He'll definitely be there.''
Penn, in his typical poor-mouth fashion, scoffed at such a notion.
``If you're looking for somebody who can win, you'd better look elsewhere,'' he said. ``For heaven sake, don't look at me.''
In the team competition, all eyes are on the Roanoke Country Club squad. RCC, which routed the field by a record 33-shot margin last year, is a top-heavy choice to win a third consecutive and record ninth team crown. (Rosters in Scoreboard. B4)
RCC is loaded again, with Allison, Smith, former professional Mike O'Keefe, Jeff Lynch, 1988 champion Ned Baber, plus Jack Tuttle and Chris Clemens, who finished third and fifth, respectively, last year.
SAND BLASTS: If RCC falters, the best candidate to slip in the door figures to be Hanging Rock. Billy McBride's club doesn't have RCC's depth, but has strength in Penn, Bill Burton (fourth and fifth, respectively, the past two years), Jason Perdue and grinders Jeff Conner and Ted Comer. ... Among the youth brigade, top threats include George Mason University teammates Scott Hunter and Adam Harrell. Hunter's best Hall of Fame finish was a second in '93, while Harrell's best was a seventh last year. ... To handle an ever-expanding field, the men's teams have been cut from 12 to 10 players. The top six scores count daily.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines KEYWORDS: 3DAby CNB