James Madison contingent puts up its Dukes in Cannon Cup

ZION CROSSROADS — It was as if someone took a broad swipe of a paintbrush over the leaderboard for the second annual Cannon Cup tournament at Spring Creek Golf Club on Saturday.

The color purple was definitely in command.

All three leaders in the rain-shortened event hope to make today’s final round something akin to the JMU shootout. Each of them either currently attends or graduated from James Madison University.

So, don’t be surprised if the final group of the day (tees off at approximately 2 p.m.) of Jerry Burton, Fielding Brewbaker and Matthew Neely is all decked out in purple. All three fired 3-under par 69s in the opening round of play following Friday’s washout.

Also don’t be surprised if they keep looking over their shoulders at an extremely talented field of pursuers behind them, including 10 golfers within three shots of the lead.

Richmond’s Glenn Mullian is a stroke off the pace at 2-under 70, followed by a logjam at 71, including Ridgeway’s Adam Webb, Richmond’s Matt Ball, Maryland resident Vance Welch and three

local golfers — Farmington’s Paul Kane and Old Trail’s Scott Garrison and Brant Dixon.

There’s also a few golfers capable of going low at any time a few shots back, including Mikey Moyers (73), Weston Eklund (74), Dustin Groves (75), Scott Marino (75), Philip Mahone (76) and Keith Decker (77).

Burton carries the weight of his home club’s expectations on his ample shoulders. After losing to Richmond’s Sam Beach by a stroke in last year’s inaugural event, Burton said his fellow Spring Creek members never allowed him to forget about it.

“I’ve heard it for a long time, that I didn’t bring the trophy home,” Burton said in a lighthearted tone. “I don’t put any pressure on myself. I just try to have fun.”

So, it was no surprise that Burton was one of the last to leave the clubhouse on Saturday evening and was overheard poking fun of himself after a friend had phoned him to say that he saw him on the TV news.

“My friend told me that I didn’t look any fatter on TV than I do in real life,” chuckled Burton.

The tri-leader made the turn at 2-under after scoring three birdies on the front, including a 30-footer on No. 4. He birdied only No. 13 on the back and parred his way around the rest of the way home.

His key was keeping the ball in the fairway, avoiding a lush rough that took its toll on at least half the field.

“I’ll have my purple on Sunday,” said Burton, a 1994 JMU graduate who played baseball for the Dukes.

Brewbaker, a Salem native who graduated from JMU a few weeks ago, recorded six birdies on the day, three on the front and three additional on the back.

Should today’s shootout be decided down the stretch, Brewbaker might be a smart bet.

“I knew I could play well on the back here because [JMU] played in a tournament here last fall and I played the back nine at 9-under for those three days, so feel pretty comfortable back there,” he said.

Brewbaker said he was excited as a JMU alum to see former teammate Neely, from Montpelier, play well.

“Now from a cheering standpoint, I’ll be pulling for him the next two years,” the grad said of the rising junior.

Burton, a former professional golfer who grew up in Danville, has the local knowledge advantage going for him. He plays Spring Creek’s layout three times a week.

“If you’re putting well and know the greens — and I know those well — I think it gives me a little advantage on some holes, and I’ll take every bit I can get,” Burton said.

No one was quite sure what to predict in terms of a winning score. Beach finished 1-over to become last year’s champion, parring the treacherous, lake-bordered 18th hole from the water to edge Burton by a stroke.

Mullian is always a threat when he’s this close heading into the final round, as are some of the other pursuers. Webb appeared to be en route to the top of the leaderboard throughout most of his round until he bogeyed three of the last four holes.

Kane is coming off a solid performance at Farmington’s Kenridge Invitational, finishing third after firing an opening round 4-under 66.

In the tournament’s senior division play, Jim Castagna of Sandy Springs, Md., and Spring Creek’s Richard Suggs are tied for the lead with 1-under par 71’s head into today. They hold a one shot advantage over Haymarket’s Wes Lovelace.

Centreville’s Dudley Payne III recorded a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th on Saturday.

Spectators are welcome to attend today’s final round with free admission.