October 18, 2004

GLEN ALLEN, VA — Scott Zavinski greatest moment on a golf course came at the Crossings nine years ago.  He fired a 88 that changed his dreams forever.  Dreams of taking his friends money each weekend and hopes for championship.

There haven't been too many special times since.  He hasn't won a tournament since a local 4-man scramble and the last few rounds have been spotty at best as he struggled with his swing.

"When I leave the home course, things get ugly," says Zavinski.  "I get flustered especially on the greens.  I know the Crossings better than my own kitchen.  I feel good and the Crossings is a comfortable golf course and there's a lot to be said for being comfortable on a golf course.  I really need to stay at home if I want to win this On Tour Championship."

Scott played at the Homestead and scored 10 strokes higher.  He also played 7 NOOG points worse than his overall average.

"The way to play foreign golf courses hasn't changed tremendously," he said. "They are a lot firmer, faster, and longer.  My course is much shorter and that means it plays easier.  I get up on the tee at these places and they demand new strategies starting with the driver."

Mike Herron has some advice.  "I think it's a difference in technology and hopefully his swing gets better. That really has something to do with it.  The other minor problem is attitude.  When he is on foreign soil, he looks terrified."

Zavinski will take things day by day as he continues to fall on the leaderboard.  Scott is currently has 54th place to himself with 29.5 points per round.  "I'm not going to think about it a whole lot," he said.  "I'm going to go out and do what I've been doing the last two years. Just hit every shot as good as I can, focus on each shot and play the most intelligent shot I can at that time, and just see how I am. I don't see any reason to change that."

Zavinski was asked if he should find a more challenging home course.  "I don't know if this is the place, but any place is the place," he said. "I just need to go out and execute and play some golf and that's what I'm trying to do now."

And he's doing with a lot of support from the friends and family.

"I love all support. People have been fantastic to me," he said. "The support is vocal and thank goodness what they're saying to me is good."

The On Tour Championship completes in 43 days.  The Red Zone Alert expires in 9 days.