DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709140210

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C14  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

GOLF REPORT [BRIEFS]

Local juniors receive classy introduction to golf

Sixty-four children, ages 6-12, recently received a classy introduction to golf, courtesy of some local pros, Chesapeake Golf Club and the Norfolk Sports Club.

Former State Amateur champion Carl Peterson and local pros Claude King, Steve Clark, Jim Hughes and Jim Hedgpeth donated their time and provided lessons on putting, chipping and driving at a free clinic. Each of the children also received a shirt and lunch, compliments of the Sports Club and PGA Master professional Clarence Underwood.

The idea for the clinic grew out of Underwood's non-profit business on Little Creek Road near Wards Corners in Norfolk. ``The Golf Shop - Headquarters for Junior Golf,'' sells golf-related equipment, clothing, jewelry, tapes, books, anything related to golf.

Underwood then takes the proceeds to purchase components he uses to build new clubs for experienced junior players. For kids who don't know much about the game and aren't sure they'll like it, Underwood provides used clubs that he cuts down to size.

More than 250 children have registered with Underwood or assistant Karen Chandler since the business started. By registering, they and their parents receive a newsletter, information about handicaps, local junior tournaments, clinics and other events of interest.

Norfolk Sports Club spokesman Bobby Allen, who has taken a deep interest in helping Underwood and Chandler grow their program successfully, said recently the Sports Club is looking into ways to become more involved. Although he doesn't see any way to host any more outdoor clinics until next spring or summer, Allen is working on a rules and etiquette clinic that would teach children the fundamentals of how to behave on the course.

The format would be similar, with freebies galore for the kids, a couple of presentations by local pros and a movie or two.

Owl's Creek finishes second junior camp

Speaking of junior golfers, Pat Schwab at Owl's Creek in Virginia Beach just completed his second annual junior golf camp, eight weeks of instruction, followed by a championship round. One hundred one kids ages 6-15 participated.

Here are the winners: ages 6-8 - champion: Austin Benda; runnerup: Michael Dula; 9-year-olds - champion: Matthew Leach; runnerup: Christopher Boltz; 10-year-olds - champion: Ryan Frankenfield; runnerup: Scott Romine; 11-year-olds - champion: Ives Parent; runnerup: Matthew Dula; 12-year-olds - champion: Collin Frankenfield; runnerup: Bo Campbell; 13-year-olds - champion: Michael Lindale; runnerup: Michael Ruloff; 14-year-olds - champion: Ken Donovan; runnerup: Michael Bieter; 15-year-olds - champion: Chris Framkenfield; runnerup: Travis Clarke; Girls group - champion: Laurie Morgan; runnerup: Elizabeth Dunlap; Overall champion: Bo Zinno; Most-improved female: Elizabeth Dunlap; Most-improved male: Kenneth Beaudry.

Inside the leather

Kiln Creek Golf and Country Club in Newport News has announced it is open to public play on an as-available basis. Tee times are required and can be booked seven days in advance. For information, call 988-3220. . . . Michele Arthur of Big Brothers/Big Sisters still has a couple of openings for that organization's golf marathon Monday at Cypress Point in Virginia Beach. This is the third year for the marathon, in which golfers round up pledges, then play 100 holes from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Yes, it's short notice, but if you're interested, call 490-5437. . . . Williamsburg is about to welcome yet another high-quality golf course, Kiskiack GC, a Carolinas Golf Group project on which Richmond's Vinny Giles consulted. The grand opening tournament is Oct. 4. Kiskiack will be open to the public year-round and will offer annual memberships, as well as reduced rates for local residents. Greens fees will range from $30 to $58, including cart rental. Kiskiack is located 10 minutes west of Colonial Williamsburg. Take Exit 231-B, Croaker Road, off I-64. Why Kiskiack? It's named for the Kiskiack indian tribe that inhabited the Williamsburg area before English colonization.

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