ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996 TAG: 9606090037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Suffice it to say, Gregg Burns has effectively blown his cover.
A secret to most on the local scene 24 hours ago, Burns stepped out of the shadows Friday in the first round of the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame men's tournament.
Introducing himself in unforgettable fashion, Burns scorched Countryside with a 3-under-par 68 to take a one-shot lead over defending champion Jake Allison.
``I'm an unknown around here, for sure,'' said Burns, a 32-year-old South Carolina native who two years ago moved to Roanoke. ``My first year here, I took time off to start my business. I didn't play golf for a year. Now, I'm just starting to really get back into it.''
Is he ever. On a long, punishing day for most of the field - only 63 of 100 players broke 80 - the Hidden Valley member turned Countryside into his own veritable playpen. Burns, a 1987 Clemson University graduate who ``played No.6 man for a couple years'' for the perennially strong Tigers, finished birdie-birdie, chipping in from 10 feet on the 18th during a driving thunderstorm.
``It was a great day,'' said Burns, who mixed five birdies with two bogeys. ``I was never in trouble. When I hit the ball in the rough, which was tall, I had a good lie. Then, just as the storm hits, I chip in. You know things are going your way when that kind of stuff happens.''
Allison, who like many of the top players saw his round interrupted for 2 hours, 15 minutes by back-to-back storms, birdied the last two holes for his 69.
The defending champion was one of the few on hand who recognized Burns' act.
``That guy has been undercover for way too long,'' Allison said. ``He's solid. He's not up there as a fluke.
``I hear he's a family man who hasn't been able to get out and play much. Well, I wish he'd go out and have a few more kids and stay away from us.''
The two leaders are the only players in red figures as the field moves to Ole Monterey today. The 54-hole tournament closes Sunday at Roanoke Country Club.
``I've never played Monterey,'' Burns said. ``In fact, I've never seen the place. I'm going over there to get a look later'' Friday.
Four players are bunched at 71, including Botetourt's Danny Hopkins, Tom Mortenson of Water's Edge and Blue Hills' Mike Stinnette and Greg Widdowson.
Of that foursome, Stinnette had the most exciting ride, playing the final 10 holes 4-under to finish even.
``I duck-hooked every tee shot on the front side, but I made every putt I looked at on the back,'' said the 45-year-old Norfolk Southern marketer, who toured the final nine in 32.
Bobby Penn, a three-time Hall of Fame champion who hasn't competed the last two years, headed a formidable foursome at 72. The group also included Bill Burton, who has finished fifth and fourth the past two years, always strong Jason Perdue and 1994 Valley Amateur champion Adam Harrell.
Besides Burns, the biggest story of the day was the collapse of Roanoke Country Club, a heavy pre-tournament choice to win a third consecutive and record ninth men's team title.
Before Allison turned in his 69, RCC's best scores were five 77s. RCC is seventh in the team standings, 14 shots behind Blue Hills, the leader.
``All you see on the board under our name is hockey sticks,'' Allison said, referring to their 7s. ``We must be celebrating the Stanley Cup playoffs or something. We're a bunch of beauts.
``People perceive that there's a big difference in the ability between teams. Well, we're seventh. If we don't put something together, we can forget it come Sunday, home course or not.''
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB