THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507090049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
If you spent a a day in Mark McCumber's shoes, you'd quickly see why he so enjoys his annual stop at Kingsmill. The Florida-born pro has had an exciting career and a fulfilling life in golf, and plenty of that success is linked to this week's Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic at Kingsmill, which McCumber won in 1987 and again last summer.
The 1994 triumph was particularly gratifying, for it broke a five-year drought. It also launched McCumber to a three-victory season and $1.2 million in prize money, more than double his previous best earnings year on tour.
``Kingsmill was the springboard,'' McCumber said recently. ``This place has meant a lot to me and to my family. I always tell the story about being on a Busch Gardensride with my daughter (in 1987) and her saying to me, `Daddy, it's no fun if you're not scared.'
``That turned out to be a big revelation to me regarding my golf. I've had great experiences here.''
Spend a day in McCumber's shoes and learn a lesson in a different kind of family values. The McCumber girls, 19-year-old Addison and 15-year-old Megan, grew up when their father wasn't so rich and famous. They, along with Mark's wife Paddy, traveled the circuit with their dad. They rejoiced in his triumphs, they fought through his defeats. They learned the definition of class and perseverance sitting in America's hotel rooms.
By 1993, however, McCumber's winnings, endorsements and course design business had made life comfortable for the family. Son Mark Tyler was just 2, and his dad spoke openly of severely limiting the number of events in which he played.
Addison and Megan couldn't fathom what their father meant, since he rarely played more than 18 tournaments.
``One of my daughters told me, `You know, Dad, traveling with you was one of the greatest experiences a kid could have. It was a great way to grow up,' '' McCumber remembers. `` `Don't deprive Tyler of that. You need to win so he can know what that feels like.'
McCumber, a little awed by what he'd heard, decided not to alter his schedule. Last July, moments after closing out a three-shot A-B win over Glen Day, he hoisted Tyler on his shoulders for a victory jig on the 18th green.
``My happiest media moment was the picture Golf World magazine ran of Tyler on my shoulders,'' McCumber said. ``I had it framed, and it's hanging in my office.''
Spend a day in McCumber's shoes and you know what it means to revel in one's work. He's the easiest Mark in golf; so easy, in fact, he whistles while he works. Seriously.
``When I was first on Tour, I tried to be Hogan-like, serious,'' he said. ``After eight or nine years, you decide you have to be yourself. Whistling helps me be more me. Most good players are themselves.''
Spend a day in McCumber's shoes and you'd feel at peace with your accomplishments, even though you haven't quite climbed to the top of the mountain.
He's been on Tour since 1979 and won 10 tournaments and $4.6 million.
He has not won a major, but he did capture the 1988 Players Championship. Considered by tour officials and some others a ``fifth major,'' it brought McCumber the same 10-year tour exemption that a U.S. Open or PGA victory offers.
``I would like to win a major, but I won't feel empty if I don't,'' he said. ``You can't always control when you're going to play your best. I'd say if you win 10 times or more out here, you've had quite a career. If you count the guys who came out when I did, no more than 10 have won 10 times.''
Spend a day in McCumber's shoes this week - the right day - and you'd find out what it's like to be an 11-time PGA winner.
That would be some walk. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Mark McCumber chips onto the green at the final hole of last year's
Anheuser-Busch Classic. It was a pair of Sunday chip-ins, at the
15th and 16th holes, that lifted him to the win, which in turn
vaulted him to two more tour victories and a $1.2 million season.
by CNB