DATE: Thursday, July 17, 1997               TAG: 9707170690

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   68 lines

LESSONS PAYING OFF FOR TEACHING PRO JON CORLISS' NEW JOB ALLOWS FOR PLENTY OF PRACTICE FOR THIS WEEKEND'S STATE OPEN.

The motto ``Practice makes perfect'' rarely applies to golf. For many, the game is just too difficult to master.

Jon Corliss, however, has undisputable proof that practice makes better.

With a learning facility steps from his office, Corliss has found himself lured to the practice tee more often now that he's the teaching pro at Cahoon Plantation in Chesapeake.

``I've been rather diligent about working on my game at least an hour a day,'' said Corliss, 40. ``It's more than I've practiced in a long time.

``And I try to hit 100 drivers at least four times a week. I'd say it's improved my accuracy by 12 to 15 percent. I always had a solid enough middle and short game. But the big question was could I keep it on the golf course off the tee?''

The new and improved Corliss drove it well enough a month ago at The Colonial in Williamsburg to fire an even-par 72. That was good enough to tie for low round in the Middle Atlantic PGA qualifier for the Crown Royal Open of Virginia, which begins today at Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond.

Among the State Open's pre-tournament favorites are reigning champion Keith Decker, Eastern Amateur champion Tom McKnight, seven-time State Amateur champion Vinny Giles, former PGA Tour tournament winner Robert Wrenn and two-time defending State Amateur champion John Rollins.

Corliss hopes his Calloway Big Bertha driver performs as well the next four days as it did in the qualifier.

``Willow Oaks is a lot like The Colonial. It puts a premium on driving well,'' said Corliss, the former head pro at Chesapeake Golf Club who has also worked at Hell's Point in Virginia Beach and Stonehenge, located on Richmond's outskirts.

Corliss skipped Wednesday's practice round at Willow Oaks to remain at Cahoon Plantation and conduct two clinics and a series of lessons throughout the steamy day. But he's no stranger to Willow Oaks.

His parents live in Richmond and hold membership to the course that sits hard by the south shore of the James River. He plays the layout ``five or six times'' a year beyond State Open week. And besides, he snuck in a practice round Monday.

While the pressure of playing in the State Open is always present, Corliss expects to be about as relaxed as he's been in weeks.

``It's a little risky trying to make a living off of teaching only,'' said Corliss, who made the move to Cahoon Plantation a month ago. ``It's a big move for me. Things started slowly, but they've picked up the last couple weeks.''

Corliss likes his new job so much that when Cahoon Plantation completes its 36-hole championship layout - ground is expected to be broken in the next few months - he'd prefer to continue at the teaching facility rather than take the club pro's job.

For the next few days, Corliss will stay with Mom and Dad. Wife Aucelia and the two boys, Jacob and Zachary, will end up at the pool waiting for him to finish his round and join in a swim.

``It's a really nice week for me,'' said Corliss, who's made the cut in all 10 previous State Opens in which he's played. ``I get to play; I get to see the folks.''

He'd like to give the family members something to see late Sunday.

``I've been preparing my game to be in contention in that last round,'' said Corliss, who played collegiately at Troy State (Ala.) and Old Dominion University. ``I'd like nothing more than to actually be playing for a title. I'm not there just to fill a spot in the field.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Jon Corliss, teaching pro at Cahoon Plantation, has made the cut in

all 10 previous State Opens in which he has played.

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