ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
At least there's 1996 men's Hall of Fame who won't have to duck in the back door at the club this morning.
While the rest of his teammates continued their ugly fade in the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame tournament, Jake Allison remained on course Saturday for a second consecutive individual title.
Holding his line as one challenger after another got bitten by suddenly ornery Ole Monterey, Allison fired an even-par 71 to grab a three-shot cushion on the field.
Allison, who at 2-under 140 is the only one in the field busting par through 36 holes, today will attempt to become the fourth player in the event's 23-year history to successfully defend his title. The others are Pete Wallenborn (1974-75), Dicky Linkous (86-'87 and '90-91) and Bobby Penn ('92-93).
Despite the fact he has the luxury of playing the final 18 on his home course, Allison is not about to make room in the trophy case yet.
``A three-shot lead is not that much,'' said Allison, a 32-year-old internal audit manager for Norfolk Southern Corp. ``I'm going to have to hit the ball better than I did today. I hope this was my bad round. I got away with one here. I easily could have shot 76 or 77.''
Those chasing Allison can only pray the former Northside High School star has such a number in his bag today. Quite frankly, that's a wager few will take.
``It's hard to spot Jake three shots anywhere, much less on his home course,'' said Botetourt Country Club's Danny Hopkins, who is tied with teammate Adam Harrell for second at 1-over 143. ``He's tough. He's playing well. And Jake isn't one of these guys who will crash and burn and shoot a big number. A crash and burn for Jake is a 74.
``You're going to have to come after him to beat him. If somebody shoots lights out - and I'm talking 66 or 67 - they may have a shot.''
Judging by scores in the first two rounds, that's a long shot. Only two of 100 players managed to break par Saturday - collegians Scott Hunter and Ryan Ketron each fired a 1-under 70 - on an Ole Monterey track that has yielded almost four times as many subpar rounds as any other Hall of Fame venue through the years.
``This is not the same Ole Monterey,'' Allison said. ``This course is playing 400 yards longer than in the past. There's some rough now and it's so much tougher than it has been.''
Nonetheless, it didn't bite Allison. The steady leader, courtesy of some Houdini-like up-and-downs, parred the first 14 holes before offsetting a bogey at No.15 with a birdie at No.18.
Harrell and Hopkins shot 71 and 72, respectively, to hang tight.
``The big key [today] will be to get off to a solid start,'' said Harrell, 21, the 1994 City-County champion. ``I don't think Jake's going to falter.''
Still within striking distance at 144 is first-round leader Gregg Burns (76), 1993 champ Hunter and streaky Mike Stinnette (73).
Burns, who led Allison by one after a first-round 68 at Countryside, was as bad Saturday as he was good Friday. The State Farm man could have used some insurance on the par-5 seventh hole, where he cold-topped his second shot, got a bad break off a cart path with his third and wound up taking an expensive double bogey.
``That kind of took it out of me,'' Burns said. ``I just hacked it up all day. I didn't sniff a birdie.''
Saturday's lengthy casualty list included Penn, who struggled home in 75 to fall seven back at 147.
``I hit the ball poorly and missed three short putts,'' Penn said. ``I'm a little disappointed. I expected a little more than this.''
So did RCC in the team chase. The prohibitive favorite finds itself in sixth place, 14 shots back of leading Botetourt Country Club.
``Except for Jake, we're all in a coma,'' said RCC's Mike O'Keefe. ``Yeah, I'd say we'll catch some heat at the club for this.''
Botetourt, which will be seeking its first Hall of Fame team title, leads six-time champion Blue Hills by four shots and '92 winner Hanging Rock by six.
``It would be great for Botetourt to win it,'' Hopkins said. ``I know the people down there would be excited about it. Shoot, there may be some buses of folks heading to Roanoke Country Club [today]. That is, if they can find the place.''
LENGTH: Medium: 81 linesby CNB