THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230290
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN J. FRENCH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 24 lines
The Virginia Beach Open begins play today at Honey Bee Golf Course in Virginia Beach.
The three-round event, which is open to professionals and amateurs with a 2 handicap or better, will run to Sunday.
Last year, non-PGA participants played an 18-hole qualifier, with the top 30 would compete in the two-round Open.
The overall purse for the tournament is $35,000, with $7,000 going to the first-place finisher.
John Stone, assistant club pro at Williamsburg Country Club, won last year's event with a score of 202 on the par-70 course.
Jay Rickles of Chesapeake was the top finisher among scratch golfers.
In addition to the main tournament, a single-day pro-am was held yesterday, and Honey Bee golf pros are hosting a clinic for golfers age 14 and under.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. by CNB