School child beats Sam Snead's course record

.D. McNeill, a high school junior, thought he was having merely his career best day at the Southern Pines Elks Lodge and Golf Course.

But after he shot a 9-under-par 62 to win the Optimist tournament, he learned his round beat the course record -- set by Sam Snead.

"I couldn't believe he held the record," said McNeill, a student at Southern Pines Pinecrest, whose best round ever had been a 68.

The particulars of Snead's round are a little hazy. He shot a 63 while playing in a pro-am event at the course at least 40 years ago. No one is certain of the exact year.

McNeill, in his round last week, offset two bogeys with nine birdies and an eagle. He was 9-under on his final 14 holes.

After starting on the third hole, McNeill made his longest putt of the day, 10 feet, at No. 1 for his ninth birdie, and he dropped a 6-foot eagle putt at No. 2 that put him in the record book.

TRW