August 4, 2008

ASHVILLE, OH — Allan Hench did what friends said was impossible. He shot his first round in the 70's when playing a non-municipal course from at least 6,200 yards. The strong round pushed him up the leaderboard into 43rd position.

The round at Cooks Creek Golf Club south of Columbus, OH has resurrected a season that seemed to have little promise.

"I love Cooks," says Hench. "I'm not just saying this because I shot 77 but it was fun because you could use the driver all day and get close on the par 5's with a 3 wood on the second shot. There is a ton of risk and reward. The greens are large and course was in great shape for August."

Hench received a record 21 bonus points for the 6,648 yard 128 USGA Slope Rating. Hench's leap up the leaderboard has stunned quite a few.

Playing partner Marty Zabonik did not fair as well with just one birdie at the 7th hole.

"The local media does nothing around here," says Jeff Miller. "They talk up a round of 74 points, but do not mention the triple-bogey at the downhill 14th hole. It was a round killer."

Hench bogeyed the shortest hole on the front nine, parred the other eight holes and finished the front nine with a 1-over 37.

"Things were looking pretty strong all day," said Hench. "The fact that I could keep my composure after the bogey at the 5th says a lot about my maturity."

Hench birdied the 10th hole and triple bogeyed the 14th hole. The 4-over 40 resulted in a pretty strong 5-over 77. "It is what it is," said Hench. "The 14th hole will cause a lot of sleep loss."

Hench moved into 43rd position in the season-long tournament with 57.4 points per round. The 2008 Virtual Tournament moves into its last active month with John Mello on top of the Leaderboard with 73.1 points per round. Don Creighton and Bill Bateson, who own 2nd and 3rd positions, have been relatively missing from action for nearly a month.