Amateur Jeff Knox to be inducted into Georgia Golf HOF Saturday
Jeff Knox
(Golfweek Photo)
(January 20, 2017) -- Jeff Knox is best known nationally for his appearances in the Masters as a non-competing marker. Knox has played in nine Masters, including the last six. His role as marker at the Masters began in 2003 and over that time he has been paired with among others Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els, Craig Stadler, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Steve Stricker.
“He’s the best I’ve ever seen on Augusta’s greens,” McIlroy said after his round with Knox.
However, Knox of Augusta, GA is also a well accomplished amateur in the state of Georgia and this weekend the 54-year-old will be inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
Knox will be inducted alongside 2009 British Open winner and former Georgia Tech standout Stewart Cink, Georgia State head coach Joseph Cooper and longtime head professional James Stamps who had a distinguished playing career as both an amateur and professional.
“I was shocked to hear the news back in April,” Knox told the Augusta Chronicle. “You never really anticipate an honor like that or even think about it really. I didn’t, anyway. It was just a real honor for me to be on the receiving end of this nice recognition. I guess it means that I was a consistent player and competitor over a long period of time and had some success over the years.”
Knox has been a consistent competitor in Georgia State Golf Association events and he has twice won the Georgia Mid-Amateur in 2008 and 2009. Before finally breaking through in 2008 Knox had finished as a four-time runner-up at the Georgia Mid-Amateur (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005) while also finishing second in the Georgia Amateur three-times (1998, 2006, 2007).
Along the way Knox has claimed the Azalea Amateur, Peach Blossom Invitational, two-times the Charlie Coe and last September the Crump Cup.
Nationally, Knox has competed in four U.S. Mid-Amateurs, three U.S. Amateurs and two USGA State Team Championship.
Editors Note: The GSGA and Augusta Chronicle provided information for this story