New pro Little bows out of Battle race

The leader in the Battle Trophy race halfway through this year’s competition won’t be hanging around to try for a three-peat.

Two-time Battle champion Nick Little took over the lead in the points race after finishing second in last weekend’s Kenridge Invitational at Farmington. However, Little turned professional the following day.

That leaves Greene Hills’ Mikey Moyers, a senior at William Monroe High School, as the current points leader. Moyers, who became the youngest Battle Trophy champion back in 2006 (between his freshman and sophomore year at WMHS), has committed to play golf for Virginia Tech.

Moyers holds a slim lead over good friend Weston Eklund, who now plays for Radford University. There’s a group of seasoned veterans nipping at their heels though with Farmington’s Paul Kane and Philip Mahone, Old Trail’s Ty Grove, and Spring Creek’s Jerry Burton, along with Birdwood’s Dave Hondula close behind.

Lots of points are up for grabs at this weekend’s Cannon Cup tournament at Spring Creek and a strong field is expected. Following the Cannon Cup, only two more Battle events remain this season: the Reines Jewelers Charlottesville City Championship at Meadowcreek (July 10-12) and the Jefferson Cup at Birdwood (Aug. 7-9). The top 16 finishers or alternates in the standings after the Jefferson Cup are invited to the third annual Central Virginia Match Play Championships at Spring Creek (Aug. 15-16), and we’re looking for a sponsor for the event.

The Battle Trophy is named for the late Bill Battle, a local golf enthusiast and president of the United States Golf Association in 1988-89.

McNamara’s wish

For five years, Farmington head pro Rob McNamara has set up the short, par-4, 13th hole for a potential hole-in-one at the annual Kenridge Invitational.

Taking a cue from the USGA an how it tinkers with tee boxes in U.S. Open’s, McNamara has made No. 13 a true temptation for the long hitters. For Sunday’s final round, the hole was playing 280 yards, uphill.

Before the tournament, McNamara said that one of these days, somebody was going to ace the hole. His wish came true Sunday when Scott Saal’s tee shot landed on the green, trickled and trickled until it found its way into the cup, delighting a large crowd on hand.

“It was the darnedest shot I ever saw,” McNamara said with a big grin. “It seemed like it took 30 seconds from the time the ball left the tee to actually go into the hole.”

Kenridge leftovers

A couple of nuggets from the annual tournament at Farmington: David Faye, executive director of the United States Golf Association, has joined Farmington as a non-resident member. Faye was so moved by Farmington’s show of affection for the late Bill Battle, who passed away last summer, that he joined after attending a memorial to Battle at the club.  … Golf fans will remember that Faye took a red-eye from Torrey Pines in San Diego during U.S. Open week, to attend Battle’s services, then flew back to oversee the Open.

Groves & Strickler

Hats off to a pair of homegrown golfers who competed in the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships recently. Monticello’s Dustin Groves represented Wake Forest, while Woodberry Forest’s Will Strickler played for Florida.

Groves tied for 113th in the event at 15-over par with rounds of 77-75-76 — 228. Strickler tied for 96th at 13-over par, with 79-72-75 — 226.

As mentioned previously, Monticello’s Whitney Neuhauser, playing for Virginia, also played in the NCAA Women’s championships.

Thought for the day

Remember, half the people you know are below average.

The shag bag …

Birdwood Golf Course has been designated as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, one of 22 courses in the state and 693 courses worldwide to receive the honor. Much of the credit goes to course superintendent Matt Wade, who coordinated the plan that includes a high degree of environmental quality. …The First Tee of Charlottesville will be hosting a fundraising tournament at Meadowcreek on Saturday, June 13, 8 a.m. shotgun start, captain’s choice format (contact: Meadowcreek pro shop at 977-0615, or Jan Corrin at 953-8598 or , or David Passerell at 249-0773 or .