LAYTONSVILLE -- It took Wayne DeFrancesco, teaching professional at Woodholme Country Club in Pikesville, four extra holes, but he outlasted Eric Cobb for the final berth during yesterday's Middle Atlantic PGA member qualifying for next week's Kemper Open.

DeFrancesco, headed for his seventh Kemper since beginning his run in 1983, made it with four straight playoff pars at Montgomery Country Club, although his heart skipped a beat when Cobb's 30-foot birdie bid at the 152-yard third hole dipped into the cup and spun away.

At the 430-yard fourth hole, where he had made bogey in his regular round, DeFrancesco hit driver, 7-iron to 12 feet and almost made the birdie putt.

Par became good enough however, when Cobb who had not made a bogey in his 21 previous holes, failed to get up and down when he pulled his 6-foot par putt off line.

For the regulation tour of the 6,650-yard, par-72 course, DeFrancesco had 35-3267.

Rick Schuller, of River Creek CC, picked up the first of the two available spaces when he hit the green on the 526-yard opening playoff hole and two-putted for birdie, 34-33--67.

DeFrancesco played the final 12 holes in five under par.

+ Schuller had eight birdies.

Qualifiers

Rick Schuller, River Creek, 34-3367

Wayne DeFrancesco, Woodholme CC, 35-3267

Alternate

Eric Cobb, Bunker Valley, 34-3367

Non-qualifiers in 75-man field included

Ted Pogorelc, Baltimore CC, 33-3568

John Madden, Lakewood CC, 34-3468

Mike Kenny, Argyle CC, 36-3470

Cary Sciorra, R.T. Jones Club, 34-3670

Mark Jansen, Southview GC, 37-3471

Mark Evenson, Rolling Road GC, 36-3571.

Pub Date: 5/28/98