Columbus, OH - July 2 - 3, 1983 - When Steve Guyton first started
playing Putt-Putt at the PPA course in Columbus, Ohio ten years ago, he used a clubhouse
putter and a colored ball.
To make a hole-in-one meant a discount ticket. At the young age of 14, Guyton was first
introduced to Putt-Putt.
One July 2nd and 3rd, 1983 Steve Guyton, 24, brought his own
putter and ball to the PPA Course. And over two days, 144 holes he played, made 75
holes-in-one.
Instead of discount tickets, Guyton took home the trophy and $3,000 first place prize
money. Steve Guyton is, you see, the Professional Putter’s Association National Medal
Play Champion for 1983.
"Being the National Champion if the ultimate goal in Putt-Putt," said Guyton.
"It’s the tournament everybody wants to win."
Having competed in some 300 Putt-Putt tournaments over the last 10 years, Guyton had
previously established himself as a winner. As an amateur, Guyton won the Amateur
Putter’s Association National Championship in 1977, an event that was also played on
his home course. "I felt I had a chance to win it going in."
"Everything seemed the same as when I won the National Amateur title. Everything
seemed right," said Guyton.
Guyton was three shots back of Waco, Texas professional Marc Portugal and Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania native John Bambling after the first four rounds of the tournament played on
Saturday, July 2nd.
"I would rather have been in the lead after the first day, but I was happy to be
where I was," said Guyton.
On Sunday, July 3rd, Guyton stated within striking distance, one back of
Portugal going into the last round. On the front side of the final 18 holes, Guyton took
the lead for god with a six under par 12 while Portugal shot 16.
Knowing what he had to do to win, Guyton nursed a two shot lead through the final nine
holes to shoot a 74-under total of 214.
Portugal finished in the runner-up spot at 216 to claim $2,000.00, while Eddie Coy,
Louisville, Kentucky, was third and won $1,500.00.
Lewis Burton from
Atlanta, Georgia captured the amateur division with a final score of 223, 65 under par.
Burton is the only amateur in PPA history to successfully defend his title. Paul Grider of
New Haven, Indiana finished second with a score of 224, 64 under par.