ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DOT BOLLING TAKES a three-shot lead into the final round as she pursues her first Hall of Fame title.
After Saturday's opening round of the 18th Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame women's tournament, there remains only one question: Can Dot Bolling possibly lose again?
Bolling, whose failures in this tournament have been well-chronicled, took a giant step Saturday toward winning the one local major title that has eluded her.
``Hopefully, this is the year,'' said Bolling, after carding a 4-over-par 76 at Ole Monterey to take a three-shot lead over 1984 winner Kathy Hull and two-time City-County champion Marilyn Bussey. (Scores in Scoreboard. C8)
``I do know this: They're going to have to play one hell of a round to catch me.''
Bolling, a four-time Hall of Fame bridesmaid, desperately wants to make it to the altar this time. The many-time Hidden Valley club champion may not ever get a better shot than she will have today at Roanoke Country Club.
``I like three shots,'' she said. ``It's a comfortable lead. If I keep hitting the ball and playing well, everything will take care of itself.''
Countryside teammates Hull and Bussey won't be dismissed without a fight, however.
``Oh, I'd love to mess up [Dot's] plans,'' Hull said. ``We're all very good friends, but everybody wants to win. We're not going to give her anything.''
``Three shots is not a lot. It's not like she's a 1-handicapper and the rest of us are a bunch of 13s.''
Like Bolling, Bussey is not without a personal mission. Bussey's quest just never got quite the attention Bolling's has.
``I would like to win a Hall of Fame, too,'' she said. ``I've been trying to keep from running my mouth about it.
``If Dot shoots a 69 and wins, bless her heart. I'll go to her party. I'm planning on coming with toilet paper or invitation.''
Blue Hills' Valeta Pittman shot 80 and is four shots back.
Countryside leads Hidden Valley by four shots in the team competition.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB