"I used to watch the World Putting Championship on television every Sunday and I saw that match between Baldoza and McIntosh and ever since, I’ve wanted to be a top professional," says Portugal, a 19-year-old college-bound freshman from Waco, Tex. Three years ago, he set about his task.

Today, Portugal owns eight career victories – four of them major Professional Putter Association triumphs.

"I certainly believe that I’m one of the top four of five players in the game today…but, not the best," said Portugal, who came up with crucial holes-in-one on the 14^th and 15^th holes of the final round to defend his $10,000 Eastern Open championship here.

Portugal parlayed that effort into a 211 total, 77-under par for eight rounds, and a two-stroke victory over perennial "Bridesmaid" Steve Lyon, Thomasville, N.C., to claim the $1,500 first prize.

Portugal then defeated John Bambling, Monroeville, Pa., 3 and 2 in match-play to land a berth on the 1981 "Super Putters Television Series" to be taped Aug. 12-13 in Charlotte, N.C.

"Making television again…that’s what I wanted to do most," said Portugal, who increased his season money winnings to $2,684.50, fourth on this year’s money list behind U.S. Match Play Champion Ed Haggerty, 1977 National Champion Jim Borchelt and Lyon.

Lyon, a 23-year-old commercial loan office, earned $1,000 for his second place finish. Lyon also finished second in this year’s $10,000 Southern Open.

Borchelt, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Haggerty, a 21-year-old Charlotte, N.C., native who is the game’s finest player the past four seasons, won $725 apiece, both at 215.

Nineteen-year-old Dean Dwiggins, Winston-Salem, took a giant step toward gaining "Rookie of the Year" honors with a solo fifth and earned $550. Dwiggins finished at 218 after a closing 31.

Rounding out the top 10 were on-coming Randall Willett, Dallas, Tex., 219; Bambling, 221; Owen Perrillo, Philadelphia, Pa., 222; 1977 "Player of the Year" Randy Stone, Gastonia, N.C., 222; and 49-year-old surprise contender Earl Brabb, Springfield, Ohio 223.

Portugal and Lyon shared the lead after Saturday’s first five rounds, both at 48-under par 132.

Entering Sunday’s final 18 holes, they remained tied for the lead along with Dwiggins. Haggerty and Borchelt were in hot pursuit. But, by the 14^th, it had become a two-man race. A race between Portugal and Lyon, the man who so desperately yearns for a major title.

"When Steve missed the 14^th hole, I knew I could make it and get the jump on him," said Portugal, who will enroll at the University of Texas later this year.

Portugal built his advantage over Lyon to two with a 32-foot hole-in-one at the 15^th hole then held his closest challenger at bay with aces at the touchy 16^th and 17^th holes. A two-putt par at the treacherous 18^th and Portugal was a winner once more.

"I knew that Haggerty and Lyon and Borchelt weren’t going to give me the tournament," said Portugal whose major titles now include the 1980 "Super Putters Television Series" Championship, the 1979 and 1981 Eastern Opens and the 1980 Western Open. He also won the 1980 Oklahoma City $500, the Lawton, Okla. $500, the 1979 Arlington, Tex. $500 and the 1979 Oklahoma City $500 – efforts that have boosted Portugal’s career earnings to just less than $20,000.

"The amazing thing is that I played the entire tournament (including the match play competition) without a bogey," said Portugal, the son of an animal nutritionist.

Seventeen-year-old David McCaslin plots his strategy in Amateur Putters Association events well. "I just try to keep up with the professional leaders," said the high school senior from Memphis, Tenn., after waltzing to the Eastern Amateur crown.

McCaslin’s 218 total was six strokes better than local standout Kenneth White. Brad Nelson of Virginia Beach, Va., was third at 225.

The victory was the second major amateur title for McCaslin, the son of a flight operations engineer. He won the 1979 National Juniors Crown as well. Young McCaslin is sounding a warning for veteran pros, however. "I’m thinking about turning professional before the National Championship next month," he says. "I think I would rather play for money than trophies."

"Once a bridesmaid…always a bridesmaid," said Steve Lyon after his runner-up finish in the 1981 Eastern Open. Lyon was also second in this year’s Southern Open and second in the 1979 U.S. Match Play Championship. "Still, the season isn’t over yet," Steve says.

He lost 3 and 2 to Marc Portugal in the Eastern Open match play competition, but John Bambling drew strong raves for his poise and brilliant sportsmanship displayed in Richmond. "I’ll be back," says John who handles a hockey stick as well as his putter. "I don’t ever give up."

"Tell you what won the Eastern Open for Marc Portugal," says Ed Haggerty. "He made a near impossible putt almost behind a pipe at the ninth hole. He made it and that’s what won it for him."

Dick and Evelyn Florin are currently displaying their putting skills in Japan where they are on an exhibition tour.

Three professionals have earned berths on the 1981 "Super Putters Television Series" – Marc Portugal, Ed Haggerty and Jim Borchelt. And, that opens up an additional six spots for the National Championship scheduled for Charlotte. Ten, in all, will be up for grabs.

I sincerely appreciate the cards and phone calls from each and everyone of you while I was in the hospital. I am really sorry I had to miss the Richmond tournament and I would like to extend my thank to Mr. Buie for the fine job he did in running the tournament. I am feeling much better and hope to see you all in Charlotte.