Columnist Victoria Sun: There’s no shame in 2nd for May

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, June 28, 2000 | 9:22 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria@lasvegassun.com

No matter what Jim Rome says, Las Vegan Bob May did not choke when he finished tied for second at the FedEx St. Jude Classic Sunday with a total 12-under-par 272, a stroke behind winner Notah Begay.

Choking is what the Portland Trailblazers did in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, surrendering a 13-point lead to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter by missing 13 consecutive shots.

With scores of 66, 66 and 69 the first three days of the tournament, May led the field each day, but by only one stroke entering the final round.

On the final day, May birdied the sixth and seventh holes to maintain his lead, but bogeys on 12 and 13 kept the others in contention. May ended up shooting a 1-under 71 for second and a $264,000 paycheck.

Meanwhile, Begay played some incredible golf the final three holes to end up carding a 69 to overtake May.

"It wasn't disappointing for me at all," May said. "I went out there and played a good round of golf; the golf course played harder than earlier in the week.

"If I didn't win, I didn't want to shoot myself in the foot by making a lot of bad shots -- and I didn't. On 12, I didn't hit one bad shot and still made bogey."

Hey, Romey -- it's golf! It happens. Get over yourself.

Two birdies and two bogeys for a day don't equate to choking.

Choking can be caused by a fear of winning -- and May doesn't have that problem. He has won his share of events, including the British Masters. He just hasn't won on the PGA Tour -- yet.

That's why he immediately flew out Monday morning to Hartford, Conn., the site of this week's Canon Greater Hartford Open. May is not one to be content with past successes, no matter how recent.

He spent no time reveling in putting together his most solid week all year.

"It's great to say you finished up high and this and that, but even when I won, with the expectations and all that you want to do, once you do it, it's not something that carries over," May said. "To me, that was last week, this is this week."

Every week, May's philosophy has been to put himself in a position to win without looking too far ahead. This week will be more of the same.

"I've been playing well for awhile," said May, who tied for 23rd at the U.S. Open. "I'd just like to keep it going.

"I think, if you keep knocking on the door, eventually it will be open."

Already, Kelleher said the Siena Golf Club, TPC at Summerlin and TPC at the Canyons have agreed to let the lady Rebels play on their courses. In addition, she said that Stallion Mountain Country Club and Walters Golf had expressed interest in helping the team.

"It'll be the coaches' job to decide where they'll practice and which will be the home course," Kelleher said. "I'm laying the groundwork."

Kelleher also has meetings set up with officials from Black Mountain Golf & Country Club, Dragon Ridge Golf Club, Reflection Bay Golf Course, Rhodes Ranch Golf Club and Canyon Gate Country Club. She expects the meetings to conclude by July 13.

After the fall semester starts, UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro said a committee will be put together to hire a coach.

"We have a target to have a coach in place the spring semester to give that person a chance to recruit," he said. "Then we will have the team in place the following fall.

"I haven't seen anything to deviate from the time line. We're right on target."

Cavagnaro announced in March that UNLV would finally be getting a women's golf team thanks to financial contributions.

Two Shaquille O'Neal-sized thumbs down to the asinine kid who quite possibly cost his team the title.

Stonington and Waterford were about to play off for the title when Stonington was disqualified because one of its players repeatedly refused to turn his hat to the front after being asked to by tournament officials, his coach and even an opponent.