DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710050184

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C12  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                      LENGTH:   92 lines

A TO Z, KINGSMILL EXPECTS MANY FIRSTSAMONG THEM WILL BE A NEW CLUBHOUSE AND PUTTING GREEN AS WELL AS SWEATERS BEING SOLD IN THE PRO SHOP.

The dates may be the most significant change in this week's Michelob Championship at Kingsmill, but it's hardly the only thing new about the golf tournament.

In fact, so many aspects of the tournament are different this year, here's a guide, A to Z, of some of the things officials anticipate happening for the first time in the tournament's 17-year history here.

A - As in Attendance, which is expected to be up from the previous high. They've sold more tickets than at any time in tournament history.

B - As in Bathrooms, something there will be more of to handle the larger crowds. . . . Or Busch Gardens. It's open every day but Wednesday and Thursday.

C - As in Carpool, what volunteers and others who work at the resort have been asked to do this week to free up parking spaces for the paying customers. As an incentive, Kingsmill Resort is having a daily raffle. Everyone who carpools puts in a free chance for a variety of prizes. . . . As in CBS, on which Saturday's and Sunday's rounds can be viewed.

D - As in Donation. The tournament's donation to charity, which last year reached $260,000 for a total of $2.5 million, could hit $300,000 this year.

E - As in ESPN, where couch potatoes can watch Thursday's and Friday's rounds.

F - As in Frank Urban Zoeller, better known as Fuzzy. The former Ford's Colony traveling pro is back in the field after what seems a long absence.

G - As in Greens, which will be faster and harder than ever before. In the heat of July, greenskeepers had to douse them with water to keep from losing them. Now, they haven't been watered in more than a week, and they're still lush and hard. In July, they ``stimp'' at 9 1/2. This week, they could reach 11.

H - As in Scott Hoch, the defending champion and Ryder Cup member who is one of the headliners in the field. . . . As in Humidity. There ain't supposed to be much of it in October.

I - As in Ice. There'll be a lot less of it this year. They used to keep three ice trucks at the clubhouse. This year, they're going with just one.

J - As in Lee Janzen, another U.S. Ryder Cupper in the field.

K - As in Kingsmill Properties. There's a lot new to see on the grounds, starting with a $3 million clubhouse that replaces the original structure. Work hasn't been completed all that long on the new building, which includes a more spacious locker room for the players, a larger pro shop, patio service for diners in the rear. . . . As in Tom Kite, Ryder Cup captain and in the field.

L - As in Lights. They've been installed on all mowers and other groundskeeping equipment for the first time. Considering it'll be dark when they hit the course in the morning and after play in the evening, they'll come in handy.

M - As in Colin Montgomerie. Sorry, he's NOT here.

N - As in Jim Nantz, the lead man on CBS' broadcast crew.

O - As in Outside. One big change is a new practice putting green. Work started shortly after the '96 tournament and was completed last October. The pros have never seen it, but it's flatter than the previous practice green, which the pros did not like.

P - As in Purse. It's been raised $300,000 from a year ago, to $1.55 million. The winner gets $279,000. . . . Parking. There's parking at Busch Gardens this year for the first time.

Q - As in Qualifying. That tournament takes place Monday at Ford's Colony. Don't even think about it.

R - As in Rough. It's probably not going to be as severe this week as in July. . . . As in Reservations. If you want to eat at any of Kingsmill's restaurants, make reservations now. They are going ``very, very fast.''

S - As in Sweaters. For the first time in the history of the tournament, they're being stocked inside Kingsmill's pro shop and souvenir stands. . . . As in Skyboxes. There are more of them than ever before. Corporate tents, too.

T - As in Turtlenecks. See Sweaters.

U - As in Omar Uresti, who must get mentioned a lot in these things.

V - As in Vests. Another new clothing item on sale for the first time. . .

W - As in Waiting list. The change in dates is so popular that there's a long waiting list among those who want to play in the pro-am. . . . As in Water Country. The amusement park is closed, but will be used for parking.

X - As in XXXXX-out balls. You'll probably find those being used on the practice range.

Y - As in Wives Classic. That charity tournament, featuring wives of some of the Tour players, takes place Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., at the Plantation Course. It's worth watching if you like to laugh.

Z - As in Zinger, which is what everyone on Tour calls Paul Azinger, who's in the field. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MOTOYA NAKAMURA/The Virginian-Pilot

The change from July to October will have a significant effect on

this year's Michelob Championship. The rough should not be as

severe, but the greens are expected to be harder and faster than

ever.

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