THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994 TAG: 9407210637
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Nobody wants to win the Eastern Amateur more than defending champion Tom McKnight.
But if he was offered his 1993 score of 11-under-par 269 and a seat in the clubhouse to watch the field of 174 try to beat it, McKnight says he would refuse.
``It would be more fun to play,'' McKnight said as he prepared to begin his title defense today at Elizabeth Manor in the opening round of the 38th Eastern.
``That's why I'm back,'' added the 39-year-old Galax, Va., golfer. ``I know a 269 would have won this most of the times, but it's the competition that makes it so interesting.''
In fact, 269 would have won every Eastern except two - Curtis Strange won in 1975 and Jon Hurst in 1990 with 268s.
McKnight had a shot at joining the record-holders last year in his third attempt in the Eastern.
``I had a 15-foot downhill putt at the last hole for a birdie. I knew if I made it I would tie the record,'' he said. ``But I told myself not to do anything drastic and let winning the tournament get away from me.''
McKnight putted a foot from the hole and tapped in for a one-shot victory over N.C. State player Kelly Mitchum.
The win made McKnight the oldest Eastern champion. ``Now that's a record I would like to beat,'' he said with a laugh.
His '93 win ended a string of eight consecutive victories by collegiate golfers.
A father of three and owner of several convenience stores in the Galax area, McKnight currently is the nation's No. 12-ranked amateur player. He's a three-time State Amateur champion and a former State Open winner.
In his two tries at the Eastern before his 1993 win, he was back in the pack in 1976 as a senior at the University of Virginia and finished a distant 33rd in 1991.
He's had a busy golf schedule of late, competing in the Sunnyhanna and Rice Planters tournaments and the Virginia State Amateur and State Open. He finished fifth in the Rice Planters, tied for fifth in the State Open and lost a 1-up decision to David Partridge, the defending champion, in the second round of the State Amateur.
``Overall I've been playing pretty good,'' McKnight said. ``I scored OK but I was a little dissatisfied with my play in the Open.''
McKnight is one of several Eastern players who regained amateur status after a stint as a professional. After graduation from U.Va. he turned pro and played the PGA Tour until 1980.
An accident in a winter basketball league that year ended McKnight's pro career and nearly finished his golfing days.
``I severely broke my left arm,'' said McKnight. ``The doctors said I probably wouldn't play golf again.''
McKnight was determined that would not happen. He applied to regain his amateur status.
``I waited three years and then started back as an amateur in 1984.
``I have a crooked arm now. It won't rotate certain ways. When I started back playing, I found myself with a terrible slice. I couldn't hit without the slice so I had to change my game. I probably lost a little distance on my drives.
``And you know something funny - I'm still playing in that winter basketball league.''
McKnight is paired with Chesapeake's Curtis Deal and Wake Forest's Kevin Kemp today. They will be the first to tee off in the afternoon session at 12:30.
Kemp is the nation's 15th-ranked amateur player. Deal, a Virginia Tech player, shared fifth place in the State Open with McKnight.
This year's Eastern features three former champions - McKnight, Chesapeake's J.P. Leigh and Portsmouth's Steve Liebler. Leigh won in 1983, Liebler in 1981.
Liebler, golf coach at the University of South Carolina, regained his amateur status last month and promptly won the Columbia (S.C.) city championship. He is paired with his No. 1 Gamecocks player, David Seawell, who was third in the Rice Planters and is a second-team All-American.
Other contenders include two of last year's top 10 finishers, Jimmy Flippen of U.Va. and Brian Bock of UCLA. Also, Penn State's Andrew Achenbach, Northwestern's Scott Rowe and state high school champion Conlin Giles of Norfolk.
Back again is 63-year-old Bill Harvey of Greensboro, who has played in every Eastern except the first. There are players from 20 states and Canada.
The 72-hole tournament continues through Sunday. There is no admission fee for spectators. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color photo by PAUL AIKEN
Last year, Tom McKnight became the oldest Eastern champion at 38.
Now that's a record I would like to beat, he says.
by CNB