THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407230365
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Win or lose in defense of his Eastern Amateur crown, Tom McKnight is bound for France on Sunday.
McKnight was one of four players chosen by the Virginia State Golf Association to represent the VSGA in the Goodwill Match on July 26-27 in Biarritz, France.
Also picked were 1992 State Amateur champion Allen Barber, three-time U.S. Amateur qualifier Pat Tallent and reigning VSGA Four-Ball champion Charlie Green. The other three are not competing in the Eastern.
``The only flight I could get out of Norfolk was Sunday evening,'' said McKnight, at 2-over-par 142 through 36 holes. ``So I'll be throwing my clubs in the car and heading for the airport as soon as I finish the last round here.''
The 39-year-old McKnight already is an experienced international player. He represented the U.S. in the Simon Bolivar Cup in Caracas, Venezuela, last year and at the U.S.-Japan Goodwill Match in Hiroshima two years ago.
NO PENALTY: Tony DeLuca, among the front-runners at 2-under 138, averted a possible two-stroke penalty when he saw he had too many clubs in his bag shortly before teeing off Friday.
Players are allowed 14 clubs. DeLuca discovered he had 15.
DeLuca handed a 2-iron to tournament chairman David Whitener and asked him to hold it.
After posting his second consecutive 69, DeLuca went back to tournament headquarters to secure his club.
``I sold it,'' a straight-faced Whitener said before returning it.
GOOD CROWDS: With the Eastern no longer conflicting with the PGA's Anheuser-Busch Classic in Williamsburg, attendance is on the upswing.
The two usual parking areas were completely filled and additional parking spaces had to be provided near the practice area.
``I can't remember the last time we had this problem. But we're delighted about it,'' Whitener said. ``And we are looking for the best crowds in years for the weekend.'' by CNB