Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: UNLV assistant is No. 1 on New Mexico’s list

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997 | 9:40 a.m.

Two weeks after nearly losing head coach Dwaine Knight to the University of Texas, the UNLV golf team is on the verge of losing assistant coach Jim Higgins to the University of New Mexico.

Higgins, who was a finalist for the head coaching vacancy at Kansas State last week, is the leading candidate for the opening at New Mexico.

"I had a great interview and I feel really good about things," Higgins said Monday. "They haven't made any kind of official decision yet, but I have a good feeling about it. I think they're planning on announcing something (today) or Wednesday."

Knight said losing Higgins would be a blow to the program, but wished him well.

"We would hate to lose him but to become a head coach is what he has always wanted to do and we would be thrilled for him," Knight said.

Knight also learned Monday that his top player, Ted Oh, would forgo his final two years of eligibility at UNLV and turn professional.

"It's a season in transition," Knight said. "It's been an unbelievable couple of weeks."

If Higgins does get the New Mexico job, Knight said he has plenty of qualified candidates to replace him.

"As you can imagine, there is a lot of interest in the position," Knight said. "We have to wait on (Higgins') decision and if he gets a great job like that, that would be awesome."

Knight knows just how good a job it would be. After spending five years on the PGA Tour, Knight began his coaching career at New Mexico in 1978 and spent 10 years at the Albuquerque campus before coming to UNLV.

Higgins, 31, came to Las Vegas after graduating from Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande, Ore., in 1989. He served as the director of public relations for the Las Vegas Stars for one year before joining the UNLV sports information office in 1990.

Higgins became Knight's assistant coach and academic adviser for the UNLV golf team in fall 1991.

Chip shots ...

* STATE AMATEUR RESULTS: Jeff Critcher, representing the Southern Nevada Golf Association, prevented a sweep by Northern Nevada golfers at the Nevada State Amateur in Reno. Critcher captured the net division tournament with a three-day adjusted score of 6-under-par 210 -- two shots better than the North's Mike Lynch. Mark Kokowsky and Kenny Weaver of the SNGA tied for third place in the net division with the North's David Line. In the gross division, Steve Sheehan ran away with the title by shooting a three-day total of 12-under-par 204 to beat Las Vegas' Scott Piercy by six shots. Dallas Massey of Las Vegas took third at 212. In the senior division, the North's Jim Whisman won with a 212 total, three shots better than Ron Cluff of the North. Mike Diehl of Las Vegas took third at 222.

* JUNIOR RESULTS: The Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association held its Las Vegas Jerky's Junior Classic last week at Painted Desert. Here are the division champions: Tyler Nielsen (boys 15-18 A); Danielle Reilly (girls 15-18); Neil Wattoo (boys 13-14 A); Mitch Carlson (boys 11-12 A); Sabrina Faber (girls 11-14); Warren Duff (boys 15-18 B); Rey Soriano (boys 13-14 B); and Ryan Elwell (boys 11-12 B).

* AROUND THE GREEN: Sun City Summerlin has named former Painted Desert general manager and director of golf Scott Greer to oversee golf operations at the master-planned community's three golf courses. ... The CasaBlanca Golf Club (formerly Players Island Golf Club) in Mesquite is holding a parent-junior tournament Saturday. The $55 per-team entry fee includes one night's lodging at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino and greens fees for the 18-hole tournament. The entry deadline is today. Call 433-0626 for details. ... The Las Vegas branch of the Arthritis Foundation is holding its 10th annual golf classic on Monday, Aug. 25 at Canyon Gate Country Club. Entry fee for the 9 a.m. shotgun is $200 per player and proceeds will support local services, programs and research to find a cure for arthritis. Call 367-1626 for additional information.

* UPCOMING EVENTS: The 79th PGA Championship, the fourth and final major of the year, will be held Thursday through Sunday at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Mark Brooks is the defending champion. TBS and CBS will televise. ... The Senior PGA Tour is in Ada, Mich., for the First of America Classic at Egypt Valley Country Club. Dave Stockton is the defending champion. ... The LPGA Tour is off this week while the Women's British Open is being contested at Sunningdale Golf Club in Surrey, England. Emilee Klein won last year's Open.