Golf quartet still looking to hit it big

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

WITHIN A VERY brief span, Las Vegas -- and UNLV -- produced no fewer than four potentially great golfers. And while they're all still likable and friendly guys with superb ability and talent, those who have followed the careers of Robert Gamez, Warren Schutte, Edward Fryatt and Chris Riley wonder with some anxiety why none of them are firmly entrenched and prosperous professionals.

Further, with Phil Mickelson having established himself as the leading player currently on the PGA Tour and with Tiger Woods turning pro today after three consecutive U.S. Amateur championships, it's easy to see a sizable gap has developed between those on top and those struggling to reach their potential.

Six years ago when Gamez debuted on the Tour with two wins within two months, there was every reason to believe he was a superstar in the making. But he hasn't won since and is currently No. 113 on the PGA money list, which is a precarious spot given only the top 130 players retain their tour cards and can play the following year.

Gamez has won $144,900 this year and he'll probably always make a respectable living in golf, yet, at 28 years old, he hasn't fulfilled the many expectations that seemed so near at hand back when he won twice in 1990.

Mickelson, with four victories this year and almost $1.6 million in official earnings, is at the spot Gamez had hoped to be. Mickelson, 26, already has nine Tour wins, plus is a huge gallery favorite which leads to additional dollars from corporate outings and endorsements.

When he won the Tournament of Champions Sunday, it underscored his eminent position.

Likewise, when Woods won his third U.S. Amateur title Sunday, it sent this message: Of the hundreds of players who might feel their games are ready for the rigors of the pro tour, he's the one who not only is the best prepared but is the one setting the standard.

It's tough and maybe unfair to compare any golfer with Mickelson and even Woods. Except: Gamez had that spectacular start to his pro career; Schutte, 25, won both the NCAA and U.S. Public Links titles in 1991; Fryatt, 25, plays a calculated, precise game that made him an All-American; and Riley, 22, has a well-rounded game and All-American credentials as well.

Schutte and Fryatt have turned pro but have yet to qualify for the PGA Tour; Schutte has been playing in his native South Africa, while Fryatt -- who played Tuesday at Sunrise Country Club -- spent much of this year playing in Japan. Riley, second at the Publinx in 1994, competed in last week's U.S. Amateur before being ousted and is on the verge of turning pro.

Each of these young men know, and have known, what they're up against. Pro golf is the most difficult, challenging sport in the world, and only the most elite player can survive and truly prosper.

So far, that elite status has eluded the finest players Las Vegas has had to offer this decade. Of course, and this is some consolation, it has eluded thousands of other would-be stars as well.