Published: August 13, 2008 11:26 pm      

Hunter confident for Poca

BLUEFIELD, Va. — It's difficult to get soft-spoken John David Hunter to talk about his golfing exploits, but the steady 18-year old from Bluefield, Virginia has shown the ability to produce quality tournament golf that's certainly worth talking about.

He enters the Pocahontas Men's Amateur on the heels of an outstanding performance in the Virginia State Amateur Junior Championship, where he recently recorded a top five finish and held the lead after two rounds.

“That tournament was a confidence booster,” he recounted shortly after returning to Bluefield from the VSGA event.

A four-time all-Southwest District first team golfer and the 2008 SWD player of the year, Hunter has been golfing for most of his life.

“When I was three or four, my dad (Mike) took me to Tazewell Country Club and I hit balls around while he played,” Hunter said. “About four years later, we moved to Bluefield, Virginia and my mom (Sloane) and Linda Taylor helped start the Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tour. I played in the BRJGT for several years.”

“This year, I haven't played in as many tournaments as in the past, but I've practiced nearly every day,” he continued. “I'm really looking forward to the Pocahontas because it's a great tournament and it's being played on my home (Fincastle Country Club) course.”

“It's really helpful to play at Fincastle often,” he explained. “In this tournament, you have to compete against the course and play smart.

“Throughout the round, I'll be thinking 'fairways and greens' — hit fairways and keep the ball below the hole on my approach shots.

“Making the right decisions is important. If you can plan a shot or two ahead of where you are, you can save some strokes.”

On Aug. 22, Hunter departs for Furman University, where he's an entering freshman and a member of seven-time Pocahontas champion Todd Satterfield's golf team.

“I've known Coach Satterfield for a long time,” Hunter added. “He's a nice guy. Furman is a good school, and they have a very good golf program.”

Hunter's focus this summer has been on sharpening his skills. “My iron play is pretty solid,” he assessed. “I'm concentrating now on fine-tuning my entire game.”

The 39th annual Pocahontas Men's Amateur begins Friday and runs through Sunday at the 6,643 yard Fincastle Country Club course. The 54-hole, three day tournament is sponsored by First Century Bank.