THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407270114
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Debbie Liebler plans to start a new scrapbook for hubby Steve, the 1994 Eastern Amateur champion.
The mother of two already has a name picked out for its cover: ``The Comeback.''
``When Steve played on the pro tour I kept a scrapbook of every tournament he played in,'' she said. ``I remember he led one after three rounds and he finished in the top 10 in several.
``But I told him when he started back playing as an amateur this year, I might start another one. Now I know I will.
``Hey, maybe he should turn pro again!''
Eastern runnerup Tony DeLuca was in on the building of the Kiln Creek course when his family purchased the land from R.G. Moore.
It's starting him on a new career.
``I'm going to sell one of the Northern Virginia businesses I am involved in and concentrate on golf course improvement. I'll be working with Carl Barrs,'' said DeLuca.
``There are 380 courses across this state, public and private, and I know many would like help in making repairs. Many go into new construction when that really isn't what is needed.
``I'm acquainted with many of the course superintendents, the pros and the folks running the clubs. I think I can work well with them.''
There were two eagles in the tournament, one on the first hole on opening day and the other on the final hole in the closing round.
Nick Biesecker, a Southern Methodist player, was eagled the par 4, 355-yard first hole en route to a 70.
Chris Sladish eagled the 18th Sunday, sinking a 90-yard sand wedge shot. ``Believe it or not, but I was sitting in a divot,'' he said.
Sladish's eagle enabled him to finish with a 3-under 67 and pulled him into a tie for seventh place. A par would have dropped him out of the prize winners.
Traditionally the pin placements are the toughest for the final round of the Eastern. This year six players were under par for the closing 18 holes and nine others matched par.
The low round Sunday was 66 by Dennis Hillman of Rye, N.Y., who finished in a tie with defending champion Tom McKnight and Brett Boner for fourth place.
Hillman birdied Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 16, 17 and 18.
Tournament officials were pleased with the attendance at the tournament despite on-and-off rain the first three days.
One veteran Eastern worker said he thought it was ``the biggest crowds we've had in at least 15 years.''
The gallery following the frontrunning threesome was reminiscent of the crowds of the late 1970s.
``There were so many carts out there we had trouble controlling them,'' said Elizabeth Manor pro Tim Newsom. ``Hopefully we'll have to add some crowd marshals next year.''
Virtually all players said Elizabeth Manor was in the best shape ever for this tournament.
Nobody threatened any Eastern records. But prior to the tournament, one of the club members showed just how the course was playing.
Grant Parker set a club record on the back nine with a 28. He birdied the last six holes, nearly registering an eagle at the 18th as he was just short on a 20-foot putt.
Parker had 35 on the front for a 63 round. by CNB