Known as the golfing dentist, Dr. Walt Knych Jr. put his personal stamp on local golfing by setting course records and winning a number of prestigious events including a record five Herald Amateurs.

 

One of the greatest golfers in St. Lawrence history, Knych was a key player on the Saints golf team that qualified for the NCAA championship tournament in both 1951 and 1952. Knych went unbeaten individually and helped the 1952 golf team to its first-ever perfect record at 8-0. The Saints went on to finish 24th in the NCAA championships at Purdue. Victories over Cornell, Syracuse and Colgate were among notable wins that season.

 

The 1952 team continued a string of 14 straight wins started by the 1951 team which also qualified for NCAA play but did not compete. Knych led the St. Lawrence teams he played on to a record of 27-4 during his four seasons as a varsity golfer.

 

Following graduation, Knych became one of the top golfers in Central New York. He set a course record with a 64 while winning the Mohawk Open in 1953.

 

Knych’s sweet swing continued in the senior ranks. He is the only area golfer to compete in both the U.S. Open and two U.S. Senior Open tournaments. In addition to his five Herald Am crowns, he finished second five times and won two Herald Senior events.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1948 -1952: St. Lawrence University golf team

1950: Won Utica Amateur title 

1962: First of five Herald Amateur titles (1962, '63, '66, '68, '72). His five victories in the Herald Amateur (now The Post-Standard Amateur) are the most by any golfer 

1963: Played in U.S. Open in Brookline, Mass 

1969: Runner-up in the New York State Amateur 

1970: Won Williams Best Ball Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester 

1972 -1973: Genny Open Best Ball winner 

1984, 1986: Participated in the U.S. Senior Open 

1988: Won first of two Herald Senior title (1988, '94)

Won numerous Member-Guest events at Calvary, Tuscarora, Bellevue, Lake Shore and Oswego Clubs.