Joe Inman known for his strong finish

Press, 17 November 1976, Page 4

Joe Inman known for his strong finish

If Joe Inman is within a couple of shots from the pace starting the last round of the Classic, the leaders better beware. The 28-year-old In-dianapolis-born professional has a reputation for being a strong finisher. Twice last year he finished tournaments with 67s and, in both cases, he wound up in third place for his best efforts of a good year. Inman, who will turn 29 a week after the Airlines tournament, graduated form Wake Forest University in 1970. He turned professional in 1972 and joined the United States circuit the next year. A moment of great importance occurred for Inman at the end of the 1974 season. He entered the last official tournament — the San Antonio-Texas Open — competing against a half-dozen other players for a place in the top 60 for the year and exemption from qualifying for tournaments in 1975. “It’s like pressure I’ve never seen before,” he said at the time. Tm sure leading the Masters or the open couldn’t be worse.” But Inman responded to the challenge with rounds

of 69, 66. 70, 70 to tie for thirteenth and finish fiftyfifth in exemption points. Before turning protessional, Inman achieved considerable success as an amateur. He won the 1908 Carolinas Open, the 1970 North Carolina amateur, the 1969 North-South amateur, and was chosen : n the 1969 Walker Cup team. The amateur circuit seasoned his attitude as well as his golf game. His ideals in life are simple: “Most people are victims of escalating goals. My own goals are family oriented — my wife and children, and a house. However, I’m very happy about being able to make my living by doing what I love, and that's playing golf.” Inman did not appreciate the advisability of having a week of rest from golf occasionally when he first joined the circuit. He does now. “1 couldn’t figure out why the players didn’t compete every week. But after my first year on the tour and experiencing the pressure, and problems involved with travelling all over the country, I know.” Last year, Inman won over $53,000 and took his career earnings to $100,821. He finished third in the Houston Open when he shot 276 (12 under par)

and was 13 under par when he occupied the same placing in the Sahara Invitational. On that occasion he was only one stroke away from the play off after three rounds of 67 and one of 70. In two other tournaments he was placed in the top 10. He tied for eighth in the Greater Jacksonville Open and tied for ninth in the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic. But Inman, as with most professionals at some time, has had his share of frustration. An opening round of 66 in the Atlanta Classic put him in a tie for the lead, but a 76 the next day ruined his winning chance. And in the World Open, the reverse applied: he fired a disastrous 79 in the first round but charged back with a 67. In 1975, Inman collected money from 22 of the 32 tournaments he played. He had three rounds of 66 and compiled a stroke average of 71.8. Inman had no fears in not qualifying among the top 60 this year. With earnings close to $70,000, he finished in the top 40. His total was boosted substantially by his victory in the Kemper Open. One of the richest events in the United States, Inman shot 277 and pocketed a cheque for $50,000.