The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Va., Jerry Ratcliffe column.

(From McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Clover Herald)

Byline: Jerry Ratcliffe

We're lagging a bit behind with the start of our local golf coverage this year due to a number of factors, but hey, you're here to read about golf.

The Battle Trophy race is a hot one as we continue into our third tournament of the season this weekend with the Cannon Cup at Spring Creek. This is the 21st year of the Battle competition, which is named in honor of the late, great William "Bill" Battle, former president of the USGA and local golfing enthusiast, who used to present the trophy to our winner.

The top of this year's standings much resemble the same as last year's final standings with Philip Mahone, Jeff Toms, Cory Amory and Wes Eklund, among others slugging it out. Mahone and Eklund have split …