ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
Brandon LaCroix finally won a Roanoke Valley Golf Association Junior Championship.
The rising junior at the North Cross School had a history of saving his best for national tournaments. But other than last week's Commonwealth Games victory, he always seemed to come up short in the Roanoke Valley.
LaCroix turned the tables Tuesday, shooting a 69 at Countryside for a two-day aggregate of 6-under-par 136 to win the Seniors division (ages 16-17). Jason Orlando finished one shot behind.
``I figured that I would win this tournament sooner or later,'' said LaCroix, a runner-up to Orlando in the 13-15 age group in 1994. ``I'm 16 years old now, so, hopefully, I can do the same thing next year.''
He clinched the competition with a 10-foot putt for birdie on the final hole. However, Orlando seemed to have it in the bag only to bogey the 14th and 15th holes. LaCroix took advantage, mixing four birdies and one bogey down the stretch.
``It's really frustrating to lose this one because it seems like every time I play good it seems like it's not good enough,'' said Orlando, a rising senior at Northside High School. ``It's seems like everything goes wrong when I need it the most. But Brandon deserves credit.''
Both shot 4-under 67s in the opening round at Blue Hills on Monday.
Unlike LaCroix, Michael Kidd wasn't tied for the lead after his first day of competition. Instead, the 1994 and '95 Pee Wee (10-and-under) champion was four shots behind leader Joshua Chaney in the Midget (under-13) division.
``So I felt like I needed some work,'' Kidd said. ``My mom took me out and we played the back nine holes at Countryside [Monday].''
His practice paid off. Kidd shot a 15-over 83 to take the title
But he isn't content with three straight R.V.G.A. junior championships.
``I will try to make it four years in a row next year,'' Kidd said.
In other age groups, Ryan Patterson scored a 2-over 144 to capture the under-15 division. Wade Taylor shot a 32 on the eight-hole course, winning the Pee Wee division.
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