ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606240150
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Saturday's first round of the 23rd annual First National Bank Greater Blacksburg Open was highlighted by hot temperatures and the searing play of a quartet of golfers from the Virginia Tech team.
Sean Farrell grabbed the first-round lead, firing a 5-under par 67 at the Blacksburg Country Club. The next two spots went to Hokie golfers Curtis Deal (70) and Matt Martin (70). Another Tech golfer, Chip Glover, is among four tied at 71.
Farrell made the turn at 4-under and in a tie with the afternoon's top professional finisher, Chip Sullivan. Farrell went on to record six birdies on the afternoon, bogeying only the 15th hole while Sullivan dropped three strokes with a double bogey on the par-4 14th hole and a bogey on No. 17 to finish at 71.
"It's still open because there's a lot of good players in the tournament," Farrell said. "There's not as much pressure coming from Curtis and the guys because we all play together a lot. But [Deal] holds the course record there with a 64, so he's capable of making a run at me. I also expect Chip to make a run. Anyone who's at 73 or lower right now still has a good chance."
Sullivan said despite the lack of practice time, his performance on the first 10 holes gives him hope.
"This time of year it's hard for me to play much because of all the lessons I give," Sullivan said. "I didn't expect to do a lot out there today, but I'm happy with my round. Everything was going great early on. I was 4-under and then I hit a bad wedge on No. 14 and then bogeyed 17 after getting an eagle on it in practice. I could have come in with a 68.
"This is the same score I had at this point last year. If you can score below par both days in this tournament, you normally have a good chance at winning.''
Jim Wright finished in a tie with Sullivan atop the pro leaderboard. Wright asserted himself on the course's four par-5 holes, picking up a pair of eagles, a birdie and a par to overcome four first-round bogeys.
Defending and three-time champion Dicky Linkous came in seven shots off the lead with a 74. Four bogeys in the final eight holes, including a missed par putt from three feet on No. 12, left Linkous looking for answers.
"I just played poorly today," Linkous said. "My irons were off, I couldn't hit my driver and I couldn't putt...but besides that, everything was great. I've just got to go home and try to regroup."
The GBO's professional flight will be competing for a $750 purse and an invitation to the 1997 GBO. The amateur and senior divisions will each be shooting for a $350 first-place prize. The overall tournament winner also will receive an additional $150.
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