THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407240173
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
The Eastern Amateur is the midpoint of a one-year test by Noel Volpe to see if he wants to become a professional golfer.
As a youngster, the 24-year-old Volpe had an insider's look at pro golf - on the women's side.
His dad, Ray Volpe, is a former commissioner of the LPGA. During the elder Volpe's tenure, the LPGA brought the United Virginia Bank tournament to Elizabeth Manor in 1979 and 1980.
Fourteen years later, son Noel is making his second Eastern appearance as he starts to decide if pro golf is in his immediate future.
He posted rounds of 70 and 76 to survive the 36-hole cut and added a 72 Saturday for a 54-hole 218.
``I plan to play the minitour for a year as an amateur,'' Volpe said. ``And then I'll decide about my future.'' He began playing on the tour in October.
A former Duke player, Volpe graduated in 1992 and has since secured his master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Duke, he played one year in the Eastern, finishing back in the pack.
Earlier this summer he qualified in the North-South Amateur, losing in his second match.
``But I can tell you already that the pro tour is another level,'' Volpe said. ``There are some outstanding players here and they will learn the truth of that.''
BEST SPORT: A gold putter will be awarded to the player who is selected today as the tournament's outstanding sportsman.
The Joe Tusing Memorial Award recipient is chosen by tournament officials.
Kelly Mitchum, an N.C. State player won the award last year after finishing a stroke behind winner Tom McKnight.
NO DRIVER: Long-hitting Tony DeLuca hasn't lifted his driver out of his golf bag since the tournament started.
While others go to their drivers, particularly on the two par-5 holes, DeLuca uses a 3-wood.
``I find the 3-wood more effective on this course,'' explained DeLuca. ``Most of the holes favor a lot of fade and draw. And I'm really a lot more accurate with the 3-wood anyway.''
STAYING HOME: Steve Liebler has four of his University of South Carolina players in the tournament. But one of this year's Eastern contenders is a rare player from that state who eluded Liebler.
Scott Summers of Greenville, S.C., opted to attend Furman, where he is the No. 1 player.
``I live about a mile and a half from the college,'' Summers said. ``Everybody knew I was going to Furman, so Coach Liebler or nobody else really tried to recruit me.''
OH, BROTHER: Jason Hebert, youngest son of former touring pro Jay Hebert and nephew of ex-pro great Lionel Hebert, has 77-72-72 - 221 for his three rounds.
In his first visit here last year, Jason Hebert missed the cut.
He noted that older brother Jean-Paul became a professional this year. Jean-Paul was runner-up in the 1991 Eastern to winner Jason Widener and 16th last year. by CNB