Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 12, 1993 TAG: 9307120092
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium
McKnight, of Galax, edged Kelly Mitchum by one stroke on the Elizabeth Manor course and came within a shot of the tournament record set by Curtis Strange in 1975.
For McKnight, 38, being the oldest winner in tournament history provides a challenge. "I would like to break that next year," he said. "I will be back."
Mitchum, a 22-year-old North Carolina State University player, nearly forced a playoff, but his 25-foot birdie attempt at the 18th went long. His par finish gave him a 67 to go with earlier rounds of 69, 67 and 67.
A 25-foot birdie putt by McKnight at the 17th hole was the shot that separated McKnight and Mitchum, who had defeated McKnight in match play earlier this year in the North & South Amateur.
Garrett Smyth, who shared the lead with McKnight going into the final round, finished third with a closing 71 and a 7-under 273.
Fourth place went to Ryan Parnell of Atlanta, at 4-under 276. Parnell, who will play for the University of North Carolina next season, had Sunday's low round with a 5-under 65. He holed birdies at the 11th through the 14th holes and for the tournament came back with three sub-par rounds after an opening 74.
R. Harrison Frazar, a University of Texas player, finished fifth with 277.
Two other players had sub-par scores. Ron Whittaker of Wake Forest and Darron Stiles of Florida Southern tied for sixth with 279. Stiles fashioned a 66 Sunday.
David Howser, the 1992 champion, finished at 16-over 296.
by CNB