THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507130510
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The Eastern Amateur generally is regarded as a steppingstone to the professional ranks for rising young golfers.
As the 39th annual Eastern gets under way today at Elizabeth Manor, more than one-third of the field are collegiate golfers - most of whom aspire to pro golf careers.
But there also is a sprinkling of contenders who tested the pro ranks and have returned to amateur golf.
One is defending champion Steve Liebler, a Portsmouth native who now directs junior golf in North Carolina. Liebler regained his amateur status just one month before competing last year and went on to chalk up rounds of 68, 67, 71 and 70 for a winning 4-under-par 276.
Another is Tony DeLuca of Vienna, runner-up to Liebler last year. DeLuca was reinstated as an amateur in May last year.
Tom Butscher of Belleville, Fla. is yet another former pro participating. He played pro from 1985 to 1990. The 34-year-old Butscher plays to a plus-1.1 handicap.
Two of the players are sons of longtime professional stars. Steve Irwin is the son of Hale Irwin, one of golf's all-time leading money winners and a former Eastern participant himself.
Jason Hebert is the son of former touring pro Jay Hebert. Older brother Jean-Paul was a second-place finisher in the 1991 Eastern.
Irwin and Hebert have been paired together in the first round, teeing off on the front side at 1:51 p.m.
Liebler starts at 12:30 p.m., also at the first tee. He is paired with Tom McKnight, the 1993 winner, and ACC champion Hank Kim of North Carolina State.
Seven of the last 10 Eastern champions have been collegiate players. The other three were former college players.
The field in the four-day, 72-hole event will be trimmed after two rounds.
There is no admission fee for spectators and automobiles can be parked near the center of the course without charge. ILLUSTRATION: EASTERN AMATEUR TEE TIMES
[For a copy of the schedule, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB