THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9409260237
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Bill Willard won the 18th Virginia State Golf Association Mid-Amateur championship Sunday at Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club.
Willard, who led by two strokes going into the final round, shot a 1-over par 70 Sunday. His 54-hole score of 3-under 204 was good enough to stave off Jay Rickles for the victory.
``It's gratifying to win the championship with so many good players in the field, including former champions,'' said Willard, a Cavalier member and insurance agent in Virginia Beach. ``It makes it even more satisfying to win on my home course.''
Although it was sunny and temperatures were in the low 80's, stiff breezes played havoc with shots at times.
Willard had four bogeys, including Nos. 9 and 10, but settled into a rhythm with birdies on the 11th, 12th and 15th holes. He won a $500 Cavalier pro shop gift certificate.
Rickles, a Chesapeake airline pilot, shot an even-par 69 Sunday.
Allen Barber of Yorktown recovered from an opening round of 5-over 74 to post back-to-back rounds of 66 and claim third place at 206.
Dan Ward of Virginia Beach took fourth place with a 36-hole total of 210. Ward closed with a 72 after a pair of 69s.
First-round leader and current State Amateur champion Scott Inman of Springfield finished in fifth place at 211. After a Friday round of 66, Inman faded to 74 Sunday. by CNB