HUNTER IS THE HUNTED

Time definitely is not on Craig Steinberg’s side.

Steinberg devotes the majority of his waking hours to his wife, two children and two professions--optometry and law.

What little time is left, he spends playing golf.

“Which is none,” Steinberg said, jokingly.

Yet, somehow Steinberg, among the most successful amateur golfers on the West Coast the last decade, manages to keep his scores low and aspirations high.

Steinberg will compete in the Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship today through Sunday at Industry Hills Golf Club in City of Industry.

The time is ripe for the 41-year-old Van Nuys resident to make history. A victory will be Steinberg’s fifth, tying him with Paul Hunter as the the only five-time champion of the SCGA Amateur.

Hunter won five titles between 1908 and 1926. Steinberg won four titles between 1988 and 1997, including back-to-back victories in 1991 and ’92.

“I’m looking forward to the chance,” Steinberg said. “The golf course suits me well. It’s not like I’ve set course records there or anything, but my history is good at Industry Hills.”

Amateur play appeals to Steinberg, who says he is more addicted to competition than he is to golf. A member of USC’s 1980 NCAA championship team, Steinberg long ago abandoned aspirations of turning pro.

“I’m devoted to it as I have been, but I really never have enjoyed golf just for the sake of playing it,” Steinberg said. “I enjoy competing at it. I suspect if I can’t compete any longer, I won’t keep playing.”

He barely finds time to play now.

An optometrist since 1984, Steinberg entered the legal profession after receiving his law degree from the University of La Verne in 1995. He juggles both professions, devoting about three-quarters of his time to law while maintaining his optometry practice in Sherman Oaks.

After playing in the Seaver Cup at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa last December, Steinberg bagged his clubs and didn’t step on a golf course for five months. He returned for the Kelly Cup in April, shooting a respectable two-round total of 149 and finishing fourth in his flight at Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake.

Steinberg, who began playing golf at 13, said idleness has had little effect on his game.

“I’ve always been fortunate that when I take a layoff or don’t play often I really don’t lose it,” he said. “I lose some, but I can still go out and shoot a round of par. The short game is a little rusty and my touch from 50-60 yards is a little off. It shows up most in the most competitive tournaments.”

Steinberg for years has aspired to be selected to the U.S. Walker Cup team, the most prestigious honor for an amateur golfer. The U.S. Golf Assn. selects 10 members to compete against Europe every other year. The tournament will be played Sept. 4-5 at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland.

Steinberg concedes his dream is becoming “far-fetched.” The USGA historically has chosen few West Coast players, since the top amateur tournaments usually take place on the East Coast.

Steinberg says he simply is too busy to take his golf game on the road. Time may be running out.

“It’s all a matter of time,” Steinberg said. “Many [amateur players] face the same problems I do. Only a handful of them are just playing golf. Fortunately, I’ve been able to pick up the clubs and play competitively.”