Published: July 18, 2006 12:45 am         

Caniff right at home

BELLEFONTE — Brandon Caniff refused to allow a few bad holes spoil a good thing Monday.

Not when his highlights included seven birdies in an 18-hole qualifier for the Kentucky Open.

Caniff, 26, recovered from an uncharacteristically bumpy stretch on the back nine to post a 1-under par 69 and take medalist honors at Bellefonte Country Club.

The seven birdies matched a personal best for Caniff on his home course.

“I’ve had seven before, but not more than that,’’ said Caniff, whose putter was as hot as the rocketing afternoon temperatures. “You’ve got to be happy with that.’’

The former Russell High School and Shawnee State University standout led seven qualifiers, including Ashland’s Brent Clark, from a field of 23 golfers.

Clark, who shot 74 in the same group with Caniff, also plays regularly at Bellefonte.

“When the pairings came out and I saw we were playing together, it puts your mind at ease,’’ Caniff said. “Brent chipped in on No. 18 basically to secure his spot.’’

The Kentucky Open will be Aug. 8-10 at the University Club of Kentucky in Lexington.

After firing four birdies on the first six holes, Caniff had visions of putting together a special round in his first Kentucky Open qualifier.

He got back to 4-under after a birdie on No. 10 and managed to save pars on 12 and 13, but then went double bogey, bogey, double bogey. That’s highly unusual for Caniff, who said he hadn’t made a double bogey in a round of golf at Bellefonte this year.

The first came after he hit into a hazard on No. 14.

“I was telling myself, ‘Get out of trouble. You’re not trying to shoot 64, you’re just trying to get in the top seven,’” said Caniff, a pharmaceutical rep who still holds three golf records at Shawnee State.

On 16, his drive hit a tree limb and he had to punch out and eventually settle for another double bogey.

“I was upset, but I also knew the field was struggling,’’ Caniff said. “The rough was longer and they had set the pins in tough spots. And there’s some pressure that goes along with trying to get into the Kentucky Open.’’

Caniff credited caddy J.B. Fairchild for helping to settle him down.

“Basically, he told me not to worry about it,’’ Caniff said. “He just helped me mentally to get back to where I needed to be.’’

Caniff got it going again. He chipped in for birdie from 6 feet off No. 17 green and then rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt to dip below par.

“I finished strong,’’ he said. “I was able to put up a pretty good score and let the rest of them fire at it.’’

University of Kentucky golfer Jordan Blann of Bowling Green was runner-up at 1-over 71. Last month, Blann’s younger brother, Seth, won a qualifier on the Bellefonte course for the highly competitive Bluegrass Junior.

Caniff warmed up for the Kentucky Open Qualifier by winning Bellefonte’s match-play championship last week.

“That was great preparation for the qualifier,’’ said Caniff, who won a Kentucky Amateur Qualifier a few years back. “There were some good players out there today, so this means a lot.’’

Caniff immediately phoned his sister, Laura, who was in Lexington preparing for today’s Kentucky Women’s Open at Kearney Hills Golf Links. Laura is one of the top golfers on the University of North Carolina team.

“She keeps me going,’’ Brandon said. “It inspires me seeing how hard Laura works at her game.’’

Clark, like Caniff, found success in his first Kentucky Open Qualifier. Both entered because of the convenience of playing at Bellefonte.

“I hit the ball really solid all day and didn’t miss too many shots,’’ said Clark, 37. “You tell yourself you can do it, otherwise you shouldn’t be here.’’

Keeping up with Caniff is a different matter.

“Brandon can be an intimidating golfer because he is so good,’’ Clark said. “I’m use to him being out in front of me. He just hits the ball so well.’’

Cameron Bailey of Hazard shot 73 to place third. Clark tied for fourth with Larry Brown of Prestonsburg and Mike Beverly of Mount Sterling.

Brooks Herrick, from Prestonsburg, shot 76 and won a playoff with Chase Carpenter and Gary Brown for the last qualifying spot.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.