DATE: Sunday, August 24, 1997               TAG: 9708240190

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY GENE MORRIS, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   36 lines

STONE, GILES LEAD THEIR DIVISIONS AT BEACH OPEN

Following early exits in major-tournament action last week, John Stone and Conlin Giles lead their respective divisions, as the money-round of the $35,000 Virginia Beach Open golf tournament begins today at Honey Bee Golf Club in Virgnia Beach.

Stone, who won the event in 1995, had a two-day total 12-under-par 128 in Friday's and Saturday's qualifying rounds for the professional division. Last weekend, he played in the PGA Championship but missed the cut.

He holds a four-stroke lead over Rich Jaeger, who shot 65 on Saturday for a two-day total of 132. Paxton Song, who recently turned pro, and Jeff Scheuman tied for third in the qualifying round with 133s. Last year's winner, Tommy Masters, made the cut with a 2-under-par 138.

``This is a snaking course that can jump up and bite you, and I've got some good players behind me,'' Stone said. ``I'm going to have to go out and win it.''

Giles, a 1994 graduate of Maury, shot a 6-under-par 134 in the amateur qualifying rounds, three strokes better than Mike Dunavan, Denny Kamencik and George Kemp. Giles was one of three Virginia representatives in the U.S. Amateur tournament. Giles shot an 8-over-par 152 in the qualifying rounds, missing the cut by five strokes.

Going into today's round, Giles wants to remain focused on his own play and not worry about how the competition is doing.

``My strength is keeping the ball in play and not doing anything dumb. I've got to play my own game and not worry about anyone else,'' said Giles, who has two remaining years of collegiate eligibility and will attend Division-II Anderson College in Anderson, S.C., in the spring.

The professional-division winner will take home a top prize of $7,000, while the top amateur receives $500.

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