ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 20, 1996 TAG: 9606200036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
There's no substitute for experience.
It is a truism analysts like to toss about when discussing a golfer's chance of winning a tournament. In the case of Blacksburg golfer Jim Williams, 14 years of service as the resident professional at Blacksburg Country Club labels him as one to watch in this weekend's 23rd Annual First National Bank Greater Blacksburg Open.
"I'd like to think that after serving as the [Blacksburg Country Club] pro from 1980 to 1993, I know the course as well as anyone," Williams said. "That doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to be able to play it better than everyone else. Sometimes being familiar with a course can get you in more trouble than someone who hasn't ever seen the course."
Williams' competitors in the GBO shouldn't expect his knowledge of the course to hinder his bid for a second blue blazer, the prize that goes to the tournament winner. Williams earned his first and only title in 1985. He's been disappointed here, too, and has finished second on a number of occasions. One included a memorable sudden-death playoff loss to four-time champion David Tolley.
"I was sitting in the clubhouse drinking and eating pizza with some of the other guys, thinking I was out of it when someone came in and said, 'grab your clubs, you're in a playoff'," Williams said. "I lost on the first hole but it just goes to show you never know what's going to happen in the GBO. You can play really well and not win. Other times you think you've done terrible and it works out where you have a chance."
The 45-year-old Williams first began to hone the skills that have made him one of the New River Valley's most recognizable golfers at the age of 13. Following his days as a member of his high school golf team, Williams began to envision himself making a career in the game.
"After college I was living in the area and Blacksburg didn't have a golf pro at the time," Williams said. "So we worked it out where I could get into the PGA apprentice program and serve as the club pro. It took several years to complete the program but it was a lot of fun. I ended up spending 14 years at Blacksburg Country Club before I left in 1993. I had a lot of great times there, but I just decided in '93 that it was time to move on."
Williams now serves as a pro at Cox's Driving Range in Blacksburg, a move that fit in with his desire to remain a pro at a PGA recognized facility. Williams' work at Cox's also has enabled him to fine tune his game for events such as the GBO.
"I've been playing better as of late," Williams said. "Just this last weekend I shot 10 birdies. I'm still making some mistakes that are bringing the score down, but if I can eliminate those this weekend, I think I can do well."
Williams said he will need his best game this weekend if he hopes to knock off defending champion and three-time winner Dicky Linkous.
"Dicky plays this course really well," Williams said. "He's an excellent ball striker and a good putter. He's an experienced player that's really tough in this two-day format."
But according to Williams, the biggest obstacle to overcome in the GBO isn't necessarily the competition, but the course itself, a 6,712-yard, par 72 layout.
"In the past few years the winning scores have gone from around par down to six, seven, or even eight under par," Williams said. "The interesting thing is that the course itself isn't really that difficult, but there are some days when people can't shoot any better than a couple of strokes under par ... and I don't know how to explain that. When the wind gets blowing on the course and the pin placements are tournament tough, things get more difficult."
The GBO's professional flight will be competing for a $750 purse and an invitation to next year's tournament. The amateur and senior divisions will each be shooting for a $350 first-place prize. The overall tournament winner will also receive an additional $150.
A 1996 Ford Taurus will be given for a hole in one on No.11, as well as awards for the two shots closest to pin on the seventh and 15th greens and the longest drive on No.10.
Proceeds from the tournament help to pay for community service projects sponsored by the Blacksburg Jaycees.
"The competition in the tournament is always pretty good and on Sunday there is normally a pretty good gallery following the final groups around," Williams said. "This year should be no exception."
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. Jim Williams' knowledge of theby CNBBlacksburg Country Club course, where he was the club pro for 14
years, can't do anything but help his chances in the Great
Blacksburg Open. color.