ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 8, 1996 TAG: 9608080038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: GOLF
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
It has been 10 years since Miller Baber played in the Roanoke Valley Golf Association's Valley Amateur Championship.
Wednesday at Hanging Rock, Baber reintroduced himself to the tournament in rousing fashion.
In a performance that left some of the tournament regulars aghast, Baber fired a brilliant 5-under-par 67 in the first round of 36-hole qualifying.
Baber hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation and recorded six birdies. His only bogey came at the par-4 14th, where he three-putted. He finished the round with a flourish, birdieing the final three holes, including a 25-footer for a birdie-2 at the 18th.
``I'm pretty surprised shooting that low,'' said Baber, a 31-year-old financial consultant. ``It's definitely one of the best rounds I've had in a while.
``Really, it's just nice to get to play in something. I didn't get to play in the Hall of Fame [in June] due to a work commitment, so when this one came up, `I said let's go play for a change.'''
Nobody else got within a sniff of Baber. Brian Agee and Brian Hill, both former Northside High standouts, each shot 71. Ted Comer, a Valley Am semifinalist in 1993, and newcomer Ryan Konkus both had 72s. Keith Myers and two-time champion Bobby Penn had 73s.
The low 31 qualifiers after today's second round at Blue Hills join defending champion Tim Chocklett in Friday's start of match play at Countryside.
In the 50-and-over Seniors division, defending champion Bill Proffitt proved he's still the man to beat, opening with a even-par 72.
``I had three three-putts, but other than that it was pretty solid,'' Proffitt said. ``This doen't mean much, though. There's a lot of work to be done yet.''
Bob Young, Al Looney, Chip Fitch and Don Hampton are tied for second at 76.
The low eight players after today's round advance to match play. Among those on the bubble after Wednesday included five-time champion Reggie Clark (81) of Floyd and 1994 champion Gibby Wingfield (83).
RVWGA CITY-COUNTY: Salem's Dot Bolling remains on course for a record sixth Roanoke Valley Women's Golf Association City-County title.
Despite an uncooperative putter, Bolling managed a 5-over-par 81 in Wednesday's second round at Ole Monterey and maintained a four-shot lead on the field.
Bolling, who opened with a 74 Tuesday at Hidden Valley, stands at 7-over 155 through 36 holes.
In today's final round at Botetourt County Club, she will be gunning for her second straight and fourth City-County title in five years. Bolling, who won her first City-County in 1988, and Roanoke's Liz Waynick are the only two players to ever win five City-Countys.
Kathy Hull, always a contender but never a winner in the tournament, is four shots back in second place. Hull rebounded from a first-round 83 to post Wednesday's low score of 76.
Valeta Pittman, after a second straight 80, is five shots back at 160.
Janet Cochran, who rallied for a 78, is fourth at 164, while Bonita Howell (82) stands fifth at 165.
Nancy Shuck, who was second after a opening-round 78, skied to an 89 and fell to sixth at 167.
STATE JUNIOR BOYS:
STATE JUNIOR GIRLS: Wytheville's Joannah Pattison rallied in Wednesday's final round, but couldn't pull off a repeat of her 1995 title.
After soaring to a first-round 84, Pattison rebounded with a 7-over-par 79 at Chesapeake's Greenbrier Country Club to finish third, three shots back of winner Mandy Beamer of Crewe.
Beamer, who had a final-round 81, finished with a 36-hole total of 160. Holly Corbin, who had a closing 78 on her home course, took second at 161.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB