Sports B4
NO REGRETS
? *" '? . * I ?
* r . , ' ? r
' ' - * .. ?*
MaliVai Washington stands by decision to turn pro
after two productive years as a collegian
By CRAIG T. GREENLEE
Chronicle Sports Editor
It's been two years since Mali
Vai Washington packed his bags
and left Ann Arbor, Mich, in order
to pursue a career as a pro tennis
player. To this day, he has never
had any doubts that he made the
right choice.
Washington left the college
ranks in *89 after being named the
college player of the year as a
sophomore. So when he
announced that he was foresaking
his final two years at the University
of Michigan, more than a few folk
felt that his departure was prema
ture.
.After all, he was the No. 1 rated
college player at 19. An All-Ameri
can in singles and doubles. In
some people's minds, staying two
more years would only enhance
tour.
Washington, now 22, felt other
wise.
"People always ask me if I ever
think that I turned pro too early,"
Washington told Chronicle Sports.
"I don't have any regrets. Never
have. I'm heathy, in shape, and
playing well. I feel I'm on target to
keep improving my game every
time out."
MaliVai (pronounced Malee
VEE-ah) has demonstrated that he
can perform at the world-class
level. Last year, he was ranked
among the Top 100 players on the
planet. This year, the goal is to
crack the Top 50 by season's end.
-Within three years, he sees him
self ranked in the Top 10.
( "People always ask
me if l ever think that I
turned pro too early.
don't have any
mgret^ Never have.
I'm healthy, In shape
and playing well . I
feet I'm on target to f
keep improving my
gamet e very time out "
If this year is any indication, we
could be hearing a lot more from
Washington in the near future.
Coming into the Flow Motors tour-"
nament, he had made it to the
semi-finas of four major events,
including the USTA Clay Court
Championships and theVolvo
Championships. He has also
played at Wimbledon and the U.S.
Open.
Life on the pro tour isn't always
very smooth, especially when
you're in your first years. And in
most cases, there's not much dif
ference between winning and los
ing.
Last week's Flow Motors Invita
tional provided ample proof.
Washington, the Flow champi
on last year, was knocked out of
the Flow title picture when he lost
to Jim Grabb in the semi-finals, 6
2. 6-7 (2), 5-7. *
Even though Grabb won the last
two sets, the final outcome could
very easily have gone the other
way.
^thought I played OK for the
whole/ match," Washington said.
"But iLthere was a turning point, I'd
have to say it was when he won
the tiebreaker. After that, his serve
was right. When you play some
one like that who has a big serve
and they have it going for them,
there's not a lot you can do."
Washington's on-court style
isn't flambouyant. But he's very
aware of what's happening with
himself and with his opponent at
all times during a match. He's not
especially overpowering, but has
an innate sense of where he
places his shots.
That's not to imply that his
serve goes unnoticed. Washington
gets his share of aces and when
he's ori, few are able to return his
serves.
.The best is yet to come from
MaliV^i. He has an even temper
mentNvhich is well suited for this
sporty Let's not overlook the fact
that he's simply a good young
player who will only get better with
_ v Photo by T-Lee
Washington follows through on a serve during the singles semi-finals at the Flow Motors Invitational.
? ? ? ? iiiim 0?? ^ MWBW
Bethea's second round
? --*??>-? s ? . ? . ?
propels him to CI&T victory
- %
STMasTKmMl
By Chronicle Staff
The second round proved to
be a charm for Robert Bethea
who distanced himself from Ed
Greene to win the championship
flight of the first annual CI & T
Golf Classic at the Winston Lake
Golf Course on Sunday.
Bethea and Greene staged
a two-man duel from the begin
ning, but in the end, Bethea tri
umphed with a two-day total of
143 to win by seven strokes over
Greene.
At the end of the first day,
Greene held a one-shot lead
over Bethea alter carding a one
under 71. But in the final round,
Greene's game evaporated and
he ended the day with^r79~T0ra;
two-round total of 150. Bethea
shot 72-71 for the tournament.
Rounding out the top four were
Curtis Hatton (154) and Tommy
Gavin (158).
The senior men's flight was
highly competitive with the top
four finishers being separated by
only four strokes. Amos Lewis
emerged as the victor at 150.
Lonnie Wellman and Leonard
Jackson ended up at 152, but
Wellman captured second place
on the tie-breaker. Lester Car
penter finished up in the No. 4
spot at 154.
: Charlie Manns grabbed a
one-stroke lead after the first
round, then added to his cushion
with a 77 on the second day to
secure the trophy in the first
flight. Manns totaled 155, beat
ing out second-place Ernie Pitt,
who was three strokes off the
pace at 158. Bub Spaugh was in
contention until the end. He
placed third with a 159..
In the second flight, Jay
Farabee started strong and fin
ished with a rush to win by five
strokes. Farabee's 88 in the first -
Please see Page B7
Ed Greene
OurttsHatiort
Torrainf Gavin
AbronGrttiiri ifp
Ladleschampiot^htplig ft
Alberta Harvey I Ml Iffi
Shirley Scott 1 S->V1I
Seniors flight llij
Amos Lewis -II
Lonnie Weilman .iBllllH
Leonard Jackson
PR
^?X-xXjX'X'X'X'X^X'X'X'X'XvX'X'X'X'X'Jv!
11*128^ "? 111
75-75 | v.-"'. .
fSifciiiitiii
Lester Carpenter
Joe Harvey 'i:| "
Harry Dflfard l|
Harry Davis > I
First flight |
^hafoisMahri?:
ErraePItt
?>>W'SS55S
?MH
76*78
s %m
.??i
WlflNWi
HIH
mm
80.79;
?!?: visvi'xx'j
xx-rxv
Second flight:
iwswwnM
IMMK
t^omastrolllngeri;
H L Qokte h ;$:$ylP
Michael Trollinger
Third flight V'.'
ftusse?:Harper;l!l
Robert Scales V
DavidFaisdnlli?
Alan Foster
MBI
t&bSjSSiigftii
Leonard aacksdn onNo.2
MMMNhMHT
Men's Lonseif:Drtli:|jdjNiest
l&nwiy Gtftili6i^
Le^r iarper^idn^). ?
II?!
Hill
ugmm s
WmM
Shi&y&cottli Ml
tUbafta Haiyey o?No;i6 ?*> t*M
wome?*?Long?st Drivs Contest
Alberta HaiVey brftfeK 9 aif I?! 8
Putt-Putt Winner 1 ' i << ' m 8
SHiliH li
*'M :&?ralln
ittWtti
^ * -MMiX
*&PgP?
-? V;. .'??
_ , _ b! Photo by Chronicle Staff
Robert Bethea held steady to win the CI&T's championship flight by seven strokes.