DATE: Thursday, October 16, 1997            TAG: 9710160754

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   56 lines

MILLER, COX WIN AT BLUSTERY REGIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT NEXT UP IS NEXT WEEK'S STATE TOURNEY OUTSIDE LYNCHBURG.

The Eastern Region Golf Tournament felt more like the British Open on Wednesday, with wind and drizzle dominating the scene more than sparkling scores.

Salem's Kevin Miller, winner of the tournament, was the only player to master the conditions, shooting a final-round, 1-under-par 69 at Lake Wright for a 138 total.

Cox's Ryan Garland, who trailed Miller by a shot after Tuesday's round at Bow Creek, shot a 2-over-par 72 and finished four strokes back at 142.

``It was very tough,'' Miller said of the course, which surrendered only one sub-par score from among the 96 players entered. ``I was definitely on top of my game.

``The toughest part is being patient with the conditions. Everyone is going to make bogeys and double bogeys.''

Ryan Lambert of Lakeland, who shot 70 Tuesday, had a 9-over-par 79 Wednesday. Along with Miller, he qualified as an individual for the state golf tournament Monday and Tuesday at Winton Country Club in Amherst, near Lynchburg.

Chris Taylor of Indian River (152), Justin Halvorson of Bayside (152) also qualified. Scott White of Lakeland and John Bonds of Princess Anne (154) won a two-hole playoff for the final two qualifying spots in a steady rain.

Garland and his Falcon teammates shot a 606 to advance to the state tournament as the Eastern Region's top team. Great Bridge, under second-year coach Chris Osmon, finished second with a 630 and also advanced.

The Wildcats were five shots out of second place after Tuesday's round and wrested the only other team qualifying spot from Indian River and Kellam in the final round.

``I think we matured a lot today,'' Osmon said. ``Golf is so much mental. There were opportunities for them to give up and we never did.''

For 15-year-old Princess Anne sophomore John Bonds, qualifying for the state tournament meant more than just an extension of his postseason.

It also meant a free dinner at Red Lobster, courtesy of his parents.

``I had dreams of it,'' Bonds said of the state tournament. ``After yesterday and the front nine today, I didn't think it would happen.''

Bonds made key putts on the back nine Wednesday and had only one birdie for the tournament.

``There will be great players at state,'' he said. ``I just have to think positive and play my game and not let anyone else influence it.''

Miller lost the state championship in a playoff last year but said his game is peaking.

``I'm happy that I'm playing well,'' he said. ``I really want to win the state championship. It's something I've wanted since my freshman year.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

IAN MARTIN/The Virginian-Pilot

Salem's Kevin Miller, who lost the state title last year in a

playoff, shot a 69 Wednesday. He was the only player to break par.

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