THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 25, 1994 TAG: 9407250127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Eastern Amateur Notes
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Defending champion Tom McKnight wasn't able to retain his crown in the Eastern Amateur.
But he carried home - or rather, to France - a gold putter as the recipient of the tournament's outstanding sportsman award.
Officials selected the 39-year-old McKnight, from Galax, Va., as the winner of the Joe Tusing Memorial Award. It's named in honor of a former club president who died in 1968. The selection was made by 20 Eastern officials.
``Not only is Tom McKnight an outstanding golfer and real sportsman but he gave up some days in France to come play in our tournament. And then barely made his flight out of here to complete his final round,'' said Eastern chairman Dave Whitener.
McKnight, who finished in a tie for fourth at 281, had about an hour after play concluded to catch a flight to New York, where he is meeting his wife to go on to the Goodwill Matches in Biarritz, France, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The other U.S. players went to France early last week. Allen Barber, the captain of the U.S. team, also had entered the Eastern but withdrew when it conflicted with the trip to France.
PAIN IN THE NECK: Chesapeake's Scott Moore had to withdraw in the final round with a neck injury after seven holes.
Moore, who stood at 219 after a par 70 Saturday, said it was a recurrence of an old high school wrestling injury.
``It bothers me on and off,'' Moore said. ``I have been having treatments for it. Today I woke up with a tight neck and the more I played, the more it seemed to act up.
``But I'll be back next year,'' promised the Campbell golfer.
UP, UP AND AWAY: Tournament officials secured a crane, placing it behind the pro shop - where pictures were taken from its top of the front-runners on the final hole.
``Hopefully we can use one for the program cover of the Eastern next year or maybe on new scorecards,'' said Whitener.
DUO TO WATCH: The Kemp brothers, Kevin and Keith, made runs at the Eastern title. Kevin finished 12th with 284, hampered by a triple bogey Sunday at the 14th. Keith was four more shots back at 288 after a final-round 69.
Kevin, the nation's No. 15-ranked amateur, is a 22-year-old Wake Forest player and recently was second in the Carpet Capital Classic and third in the Rice Planters. He plans to turn pro in December.
Keith is 19 and attends North Carolina State. Two years ago as a high school senior, he tied the record in the 4A state tournament with a 67. Keith expects to play in the Eastern again next year.
EAGER FOR '95: Ryan Parker, a redshirt freshman at the University of North Carolina the past season, says he can't wait for the 1995 Eastern. And why not? After so-so rounds of 75 and 73, he fired a 6-under 65 and a 70 to climb into a tie for 10th place at 283.
Sunday, the 19-year-old Parker birdied the first four holes.
``The way I was playing when we finished had me wishing this tournament wasn't over,'' he said. by CNB