THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408190286
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Virginia Beach Junior Golf Tournament
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
WHEN JOHN BONDS launched a tee shot that landed just 8 feet from the pin on the par-3 13th at Red Wing Lake, it was obvious that he was on his game.
Bonds, an 11-year-old rising seventh-grader at Independence Middle School, played much the same on the other 17 holes and walked away with the 11-under boys championship of the Virginia Beach Junior Golf Tournament.
Bonds shot 43 on the front nine and heated up for a 38 on the back for a winning round of 81.
His putting was stronger than his drives.
``I lose quarters to him all the time on the practice greens,'' said his dad, John Bonds Sr.
John Jr. was one of six champions crowned during the city Parks and Recreation-sponsored tournament, played Aug. 8-9.
The event had been postponed twice in July by rain and wet conditions, but that didn't seem to dampen enthusiasm. It may have affected numbers though, said Margaret Curran, who supervised the tournament for the city.
``We had 62 kids playing. The postponements cut into the sign-ups, I think,'' Curran said.
The delay may have been worth it for the participants. Cool weather and clear skies made for great golfing weather.
In the 12-13 boys division, Bobby Ingram defeated Patrick Cummings on the first hole of a sudden death playoff, after the two finished deadlocked at 181 for 36 holes. Ingram, a seventh-grader at Great Neck Middle School, also won the closest to the pin competition. His tee shot stopped 20 feet from the flag on No. 7.
Holly Corbin, 14, posted a two-day total of 179 to capture the girls title. The girls did not have age divisions. Corbin is the latest in a long line of decorated golfers from Great Bridge. The rising ninth-grader plans to try out for one of the area's best high school programs this fall. She, too, was a double victor. Her shot on the 13th hole landed 15 feet from the flag.
Darren Alexander won the 14-15 boys title with a two-day score 153. Alexander and Ryan Garland were tied going into the last nine holes of play. Alexander took care of that by going two under on the final nine.
``I was consistent off the tee,'' said the rising Cox High ninth-grader, ``and putted well.''
Paul Holley's 148 was good enough to capture the 16-17 boys championship.
Despite winning his age division, Holley was slightly chagrined that he lost the battle for tournament's lowest overall score honors to Jack Shick Jr. by three strokes.
The two played in a threesome with Alton Todd III of Great Bridge.
``I bogeyed the last two holes,'' said Holley. ``I knew I was down to Jack, so I hit a 5-iron on No. 17 and it carried over the green. I chipped and two-putted and Jack won.''
The Catholic High School senior-to-be hopes to attend his father's alma mater - Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.
Shick, a Tallwood High School golfer, will be a 17-year-old senior in September. His 145 for 36 holes was the low score in the tournament.
``I putted well the last two days,'' said Shick. ``I wasn't driving well, but I got some good breaks.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Jack Shick Jr. tees off while, from left, Paul Holley and Alton Todd
III watch. Holley's 148 was good enough to capture the 16-17 boys
championship.
John Bonds, an 11-year-old rising seventh-grader at Independence
Middle School, won the 11-under boys championship.
by CNB