If it’s mid-July it must be time for golf.
Accordingly, I’ve decided that in order to promote corporate camaraderie, I’m going to take The Chief out for a round on the links. Now, it’s just a matter of which local club will host two celebrities of our caliber.
There’s been no shortage of golf on the local scene and The Star sports team has had their loopers cruising the courses. For the record, a looper is the golf insider word for a caddy. Yes, you always learn something when you read this column.
Congrats go out to a couple recent winners. Blake Carter persevered in Sunday’s final round of the Roanoke Valley Match Play Championship. (see all division results in this week’s sports on-line). One clear cut observation from the RVMPC. Ole Monterey Golf Club is the best kept secret in the area. Quite a different layout from the one I strolled a number of years ago when I was a member of the Andrew Lewis High School golf team and Ole Monterey was our home course. Every Roanoke-area golfer owes themselves a round at the links off Hollins Road where head pro Kelly Crovo and his staff run a first-class operation on a course in great condition.
On Wednesday, Salem’s Kristin Hearp, 16, took home the hardware in the VSGA Junior Girls Championship held in Crozet. The rising Hidden Valley junior who has orally committed to Virginia Tech is establishing herself as the player to beat on the local women’s golf scene.
Play is underway at Ballyhack Golf Club near Mount Pleasant in the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia. The Scottish links-style Ballyhack layout can be one of the most challenging courses in the state with massive greens, high rough, variable winds and sidehill lies throughout the 7,000 + yard trek. The public is invited to watch the 54-hole stroke play event which runs Thursday through Saturday.
Next Monday, the Hall of Fame Senior tournament takes place at Blues Hills on Monday, followed by Tuesday’s final round at Ashley Plantation.
To baseball we go where the Salem Red Sox are in the middle of a six-game home stand Wednesday through Monday at Lewis Gale Field. Frederick visits through Friday, with the Potomac National following in a 3-game set. After a quick visit to Lynchburg for three games, the Sox close out July with another six-game stretch in the friendly confines of Salem Memorial Stadium.
Down the road at Kiwanis Field, the American Legion District 9 championship takes place in a best-of-three games format. Roanoke Post 3 battles Rocky Mount for the title. Games one and two are set for Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will be played Monday at 7.
Last call for a pair of football nights with the Roanoke Valley Sports Club. Mike Archer, UVA defensive assistant, talks Cavalier football on Tuesday, July 22nd. Stacy Searels, Virginia Tech offensive line coach, visits Monday, July 28th to give the scoop on the upcoming Hokie campaign. Both meetings take place at Roanoke Country Club, with a 5:45 social and 6:15 dinner meeting. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-354-1103 for information or to make reservations.
A quick look at the mail bag where one reader question my patriotic loyalty during the recent Greenbrier Classic.
Dear Wild Bill:That was quite the spectacle on July 4th with you and John Daly together on the first tee at The Greenbrier. Daly’s U.S. flag pants I can understand. But, I know my Scandanavian history, and those red, white and blue pants you wore had Norway flags on them. What gives? (Harriet/Roanoke)
Very observant, Harriet. My Loudmouth pants were the same as worn by the Norway Olympic men’s curling team last February. But, what’s the big deal? They have a fourth of July in Norway.
Until next time, The Chief and I are set for golf. Eighteen holes at Thunder Valley. I’ll get him for sure on the waterfall hole. Meanwhile, send your bogeys to: [email protected]. FORE !!!
– Bill Turner
