During the years he spent operating Hyland Hills Golf Club, his ingenuity made the course one of the busiest in the Sandhills.

Thompson is general manager at the Country Club of Whispering Pines now, and he's still coming up with ideas to increase play and interest in the game of golf.

"There are a lot of people in the area talking about the game losing players," he said, "and everyone is looking for ways to get more people involved. Well, we're offering anyone interested the perfect opportunity to take up the game."

Thompson's plan is simple: Invite anyone who wants to learn how to play golf to pay a visit to Whispering Pines and learn what it's all about.

"We're asking anyone who wants to learn the game to come to Whispering Pines any Monday in August," he said. "We're going to hold sessions on the driving range from 3-6 p.m. every Monday, and we especially want beginners to take part.

"We're hoping to expose people who have never played the game and create an interest for them. We're saying, 'Just come on out. You don't even need to bring equipment. All you have to do is show up and there's absolutely no charge involved.' "

Anyone interested in the opportunity can call Thompson at 949-4320 and get all the details.

Eichele Wins: Ken Eichele of Pinehurst topped James Herndon of Hamlet in a card playoff for the title in the Championship Flight of the Harris Teeter Senior Amateur Tour event held on Foxfire Resort's Red Course July 20.

Eichele and Herndon had tied in regulation with 1-over-par 73s.

Kevin McCarthy of Cary matched his low score in two years of tour play with a 75 that gave him a win in Flight A after a card playoff against Emmett Wiggins of Hillsborough and David Frye of Winston-Salem.

Any amateur golfer over 50 interested in playing in a Harris Teeter Senior Tour event can call Tour Director Bruce Hallenbeck at (919) 499-9749, or e-mail him at behgolf@aol.com.

Amateur Tour: Steve Richard of Apex shot 76 to win the Championship Flight of The Amateur Golf Tour event held on Foxfire Resort's Grey Course July 19.

Vernon Ward of Greensboro was runner-up with 77, while Gene Queen of Advance was at 78.

Rob Reynolds of Raleigh won Flight A with 74, three strokes better than James Dockery of Southern Pines, who won in a card playoff against Rick Reisinger of Raleigh. Katja Dammonn of Pinehurst was fourth with 78.

The tour, which has events scheduled through October, is still accepting new members.

Interested persons can contact Tour Director Bruce Hallenbeck at (919) 499-9749, or e-mail him at behgolf@aol.com.

Miller's Ace: Good things obviously come in threes for Fred Miller.

The Whispering Woods Golf Club member was playing his home course July 19 when he scored the third hole-in-one of his golf career.

Miller used his trusty Tommy Armour 7-iron for the shot on the par-3 132-yard 11th hole. He was playing with Steve Luckhaus and Al Eisold.

Chrysler Classic: The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro is looking for volunteers when the PGA Tour returns to Forest Oaks Country Club Oct. 2 through 8.

The biggest need is for gallery control personnel; these people will work inside the ropes throughout the golf course, assuring a professional experience for golfers and fans alike.

During the Monday and Wednesday pro-am tournaments, fans with golf knowledge and etiquette can serve as caddies for the amateurs and have the opportunity to walk 18 holes with a PGA professional.

Adults and children age 13 and older can serve as standard bearers, walking with a group of PGA TOUR professionals to keep the gallery up to date on scores from the group.

Additional information and a volunteer application form are available at www.chryslerclassic.org/volunteers.asp.

The Chrysler Classic volunteer coordinator, Dare London, can be reached at the tournament office, (336) 379-1570.

World Amateur: Golfers have until Tuesday to register for the PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Champion-ship, the world's largest single-site amateur golf tournament.

The 2006 World Am will be held Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 in Myrtle Beach with participants from all 50 states and 21 countries.

The entry fee of $515 includes four rounds of golf, a gift bag with more than $150 worth of merchandise and access to the World's Largest 19th Hole -- the tournament's nightly party held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center featuring free food, an open bar, live entertainment and a golf expo.

For more information, call (800) 833-8798 or visit www.WorldAmGolf.com.BY HOWARD WARD

Golf Writer

Doug Thompson has always been innovative.

During the years he spent operating Hyland Hills Golf Club, his ingenuity made the course one of the busiest in the Sandhills.

Thompson is general manager at the Country Club of Whispering Pines now, and he's still coming up with ideas to increase play and interest in the game of golf.

"There are a lot of people in the area talking about the game losing players," he said, "and everyone is looking for ways to get more people involved. Well, we're offering anyone interested the perfect opportunity to take up the game."

Thompson's plan is simple: Invite anyone who wants to learn how to play golf to pay a visit to Whispering Pines and learn what it's all about.

"We're asking anyone who wants to learn the game to come to Whispering Pines any Monday in August," he said. "We're going to hold sessions on the driving range from 3-6 p.m. every Monday, and we especially want beginners to take part.

"We're hoping to expose people who have never played the game and create an interest for them. We're saying, 'Just come on out. You don't even need to bring equipment. All you have to do is show up and there's absolutely no charge involved.' "

Anyone interested in the opportunity can call Thompson at 949-4320 and get all the details.

Eichele Wins: Ken Eichele of Pinehurst topped James Herndon of Hamlet in a card playoff for the title in the Championship Flight of the Harris Teeter Senior Amateur Tour event held on Foxfire Resort's Red Course July 20.

Eichele and Herndon had tied in regulation with 1-over-par 73s.

Kevin McCarthy of Cary matched his low score in two years of tour play with a 75 that gave him a win in Flight A after a card playoff against Emmett Wiggins of Hillsborough and David Frye of Winston-Salem.

Any amateur golfer over 50 interested in playing in a Harris Teeter Senior Tour event can call Tour Director Bruce Hallenbeck at (919) 499-9749, or e-mail him at behgolf@aol.com.

Amateur Tour: Steve Richard of Apex shot 76 to win the Championship Flight of The Amateur Golf Tour event held on Foxfire Resort's Grey Course July 19.

Vernon Ward of Greensboro was runner-up with 77, while Gene Queen of Advance was at 78.

Rob Reynolds of Raleigh won Flight A with 74, three strokes better than James Dockery of Southern Pines, who won in a card playoff against Rick Reisinger of Raleigh. Katja Dammonn of Pinehurst was fourth with 78.

The tour, which has events scheduled through October, is still accepting new members.

Interested persons can contact Tour Director Bruce Hallenbeck at (919) 499-9749, or e-mail him at behgolf@aol.com.

Miller's Ace: Good things obviously come in threes for Fred Miller.

The Whispering Woods Golf Club member was playing his home course July 19 when he scored the third hole-in-one of his golf career.

Miller used his trusty Tommy Armour 7-iron for the shot on the par-3 132-yard 11th hole. He was playing with Steve Luckhaus and Al Eisold.

Chrysler Classic: The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro is looking for volunteers when the PGA Tour returns to Forest Oaks Country Club Oct. 2 through 8.

The biggest need is for gallery control personnel; these people will work inside the ropes throughout the golf course, assuring a professional experience for golfers and fans alike.

During the Monday and Wednesday pro-am tournaments, fans with golf knowledge and etiquette can serve as caddies for the amateurs and have the opportunity to walk 18 holes with a PGA professional.

Adults and children age 13 and older can serve as standard bearers, walking with a group of PGA TOUR professionals to keep the gallery up to date on scores from the group.

Additional information and a volunteer application form are available at www.chryslerclassic.org/volunteers.asp.

The Chrysler Classic volunteer coordinator, Dare London, can be reached at the tournament office, (336) 379-1570.

World Amateur: Golfers have until Tuesday to register for the PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Champion-ship, the world's largest single-site amateur golf tournament.

The 2006 World Am will be held Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 in Myrtle Beach with participants from all 50 states and 21 countries.

The entry fee of $515 includes four rounds of golf, a gift bag with more than $150 worth of merchandise and access to the World's Largest 19th Hole -- the tournament's nightly party held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center featuring free food, an open bar, live entertainment and a golf expo.

For more information, call (800) 833-8798 or visit www.WorldAmGolf.com.