ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 24, 1996 TAG: 9606240162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
Randy Ulmer needed a perfect shot on the final target to win the Trebark American Archery Association Pro/Am Championship Sunday at Smith Mountain Lake.
Ahead by four points after Saturday's round, Ulmer, a Cave Creek, Ariz. veterinarian, watched his lead melt like the Snow Cones in the 90-degree temperatures. Putting the heat on was Jeff Hopkins, a Claton, Del. goose guide, who was down 10 points following Saturday's round.
When Ulmer and Hopkins moved to the last target in the shoot-off Sunday, Hopkins had gained a two-point lead.
``Jeff shot a 10,'' said Ulmer. ``I had to shoot a 14 to win.''
Hopkins didn't make that task easy. Up first, he used an arrow with a black knock and fletching. That meant if he struck the target well Ulmer couldn't see the arrow to use it as an aiming point.
``I had nothing to aim at,'' said Ulmer. ``Actually, I had to aim off of something on the ground. I chose that spot and took a lot of time to make sure I knew where I was aiming and thought about nothing but aiming and squeezing.''
With a crowd of several hundred watching and an ESPN camera fixed on the target, Ulmer's arrow homed in on the tiny circle that gave him a 14 for the win. It was a $5,000 shot. Ulmer won $10,000; Hopkins took home $5,000.
``Randy has been under pressure a lot of times, and he knows how to handle it,'' said Hopkins. ``I'd put it this way. If I had a baseball team and needed a relief pitcher to come in and close out a tight game, Randy would be the one.''
Ulmer's score was 464; Hopkins, 462. Hopkins remains the points leader in the $50,000 ``Shooter of the Year'' standings.
Randy Chappell, the pro at Two Flags 3-D Archery in Craig County, finished sixth with a 435. He called the course ``tough, but absolutely beautiful. You can't beat the hills of Virginia,'' he said.
The $93,000 event, held at American Electric Power Co's Pennhall, near Union Hall, attracted nearly 1,300 shooters, including 250 of the nation's top pros, said Dave Foster, an ASA spokesman.
Durla Owen, a florist from Brevard, N.C., won the ladies pro divison with a 437 score that earned her $1,250.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for text.
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB