DATE: Wednesday, October 22, 1997           TAG: 9710210486

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Fore!: Your weekly Local golf report

SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

JR. TOUR HITS THE BEACH

Advertising itself as a wonderful way to prepare for a college golf career, the Plantations Junior Golf Tour will make a stop in Virginia Beach this weekend for a two-day tournament at Honey Bee Golf Club.

The PJGT has an annual schedule of 35 events up and down the South Atlantic states and runs from September to May, just the reverse of most junior golf tournament schedules. And it's membership list has grown to almost 600.

``This tour is unique in the sense that it runs the same time as college golf,'' said tour executive director Bob Baker. ``With this tour, you have to pull on the rainsuits, wear the sweaters and carry the umbrellas. Our conditions aren't always perfect, but this is what you have to play college golf in, too. And we get a lot of college coaches at our tournaments.''

The PJGT, with a main office in Summerville, S.C., has expanded its area somewhat this season, stretching into Virginia and Maryland for a number of events. That should make it a little more convenient for area juniors who might be thinking of joining.

But playing on the PJGT isn't a one-shot deal. You can't just call up Honey Bee and get in this weekend's tournament. A $75 membership in the PJGT is a prerequisite. But it's fairly easy to obtain and anyone wanting one so that they could play this weekend (entry fee is $80) can reach the PJGT by reaching the organization through its toll-free number (1-888-862-2054) or on the Internet (www.pjgt.com).

The PJGT, which plays each weekend and holds events in locations from Georgia to Maryland, is playing four events in Virginia this season. There was an event in Manassas Park in September. The other two Virginia stops are at Virginia Oaks in Gainesville (Mar. 14-15) and Forest Greens in Triangle (Mar. 28-29).

Some other highlight dates include Queenstown Harbor Golf Links in Queenstown, Md. (Nov. 1-2); Harbour Town in Hilton Head, S.C. (Dec. 13-14); and Kiawah Island, S.C. (Jan. 10-11).

The PJGT's Tournament of Champions is May 16-17 at Deer Track in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

``If you play on our tour, you might tee it up with someone from Japan, Russia and New York in the same foursome,'' Baker said. ``There aren't many places where that happens.''

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