THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408240182
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
SCOTT WASCO WALKED off with the championship in the Portsmouth City Park Juniors. But he will be displaying his golf talent in the near future against Portsmouth high school teams.
In September, Wasco is transferring from Churchland to Western Branch and will be a candidate for the Bruins' golf team.
Wasco, a rising junior, attended Churchland last year but never played for the Truckers.
The 16-year-old Wasco won the two-day City Park Juniors with 64-68 - 132. He claimed a one-shot edge over Derek Sandhoff, who won the 12-14 division with 67-66 - 133.
Wasco's margin of victory came on his lone birdie at the third hole in the opening round. He had a nifty out-of-the-bunker shot to within two feet of the pin and dropped the putt.
A year ago, Wasco finished back in the field with 79-71 - 150.
He credits his improved play to lessons he has been taking from Bill Savage, a former Stumpy Lake instructor.
``He has really made my irons play better,'' said Wasco. ``That's the big difference in my game now.''
Paul Holley, the 15-17 winner, was third overall with 69-68 - 137.
In the 15-17 group, Holley edged Ashley Moody (68-72 - 140) by three shots. B.J. Eure and Anthony Gregorie tied for third with 147.
Ryan Capron was runner-up to Sandhoff in the 12-14 group with 159. Carter Hamilton placed third with 171. Sandhoff, cutting 14 shots off his 1993 score, finished second last year to Moody. Capron was third last year.
The 11-and-under boys played 18 holes, nine each day. Chad Capron was the winner with 51-45 - 96. Neil Philbrick was runner-up with 100. Derek Strickland finished third with 108.
John Bonds Jr. of Virginia Beach had won the 11-under title for three consecutive years.
This year, Bonds elected to play in the Norfolk City Tournament at Ocean View, which had conflicting dates with the City Park tourney. Bonds won the 11-12 championship there with a 36-hole 170.
Jennifer Kay, 14, won the girls division with 87-77 - 164. She was second last year to Jocelyn Veraque. Kay sliced 14 shots off her score from last year.
A highlight of the tournament was a hole-in-one by Jason Merrill. He aced the 158-yard ninth hole with a 6-iron. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Scott Wasco, 16, won the two-day City Park Juniors golf championship
with 64-68 - 132 last week.
JUNIOR CHAMPIONS
Overall - Scott Wasco, 64-68 - 132
15-17 - Paul Holley, 69-68 - 137
13-14 - Derek Sandhoff, 67-66 - 133
11-under (18 holes) - Chad Capron, 51-45 - 96
Girls - Jennifer Kay, 87-77 - 164
by CNB