THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 17, 1995 TAG: 9507170127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Jason Hebert, a 22-year rising fifth-year senior at the University of Texas, was the recipient of the Joe Tusing Memorial Sportsmanship Award, given annually to the player chosen by tournament officials and workers as the best sportsman in the Eastern Amateur.
Hebert, who shot rounds of 74, 75, 71 and 74 for 294, had to catch an early afternoon flight back to Houston. He was unable to get a later flight and missed the post-tournament awards ceremony.
Hebert, son of former touring pro Jay Hebert, said he hoped to return for next year's Eastern.
``This was very pleasing for me and I'll cherish it,'' said Hebert. The award was a golden putter.
In 1992 his older brother, Jean-Paul, won the Tusing Award.
BIG HITTER: Duke's Erik Bertrand won the pre-tournament Long Driving competition but Eastern runner-up Lee Eagleton of Australia wasn't among the competitors.
And Eagleton might have been the longest hitter in this year's tourney.
Impressed by some of his drives, tournament officials measured two of his tee shots in Saturday's third round. At the 385-yard 10th hole, Eagleton had a drive of 315 yards. At No. 12, a 372-yard hole, he reached 312. Bertrand won the driving contest on a 286-yard slam but there was a slight wind in his face when he achieved that distance.
WORK COMES FIRST: Eagleton bypassed a week's vacation to Florida and a trip to Disney World with several Australia golfing friends who are on a U. S. amateur circuit tour this summer, electing instead to compete in the Eastern.
Explained the 22-year-old Australian: ``Les Peterson (a former Eastern participant from Australia) is a close friend of mine and he told me I didn't want to miss this tournament. I'm happy I listened to him.''
LEADERBOARD VOW: Steve Irwin, son of longtime PGA star Hale Irwin, departed to compete in the Colorado State Amateur next weekend after missing the cut in the Eastern by two shots.
His dad will caddy for him in Colorado.
As Steve left, he pointed to the leaderboard and said, ``I'll be back to get my name up there next year.''
Steve said his game is undergoing changes and he isn't comfortable with them yet. ``I've been taking lessons from Butch Harmon, the same pro in Houston who helps Greg Norman,'' he said. ``There were so many changes it hurt my scoring this time. But wait until next year.''
LOWER SCORES: The average scores in the tournament dropped considerably after the 36-hole cut.
Scores averaged 76 and 75 the first two days. They averaged 73 in the last two rounds.
On Saturday the players actually averaged under par on the first three holes and also were sub-par at No. 12. by CNB