from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — John R. Knight, 79, a presiding judge who served at many tracks across the United States during his career, died April 23, 2010, in Springfield, Ill.

Mr. Knight, a native of Port Huron, Mich. who grew up in Springfield, worked at Liberty Bell, the Meadows and other major tracks.

Prior to becoming a racing official, he golfed on the PGA tour in the 1950s after having won many amateur titles. After retiring from racing he joined the Senior PGA tour in the late 1980s. He was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. (CDT) on Wednesday (April 28) at Blessed Sacrament Church, located at 1725 S. Walnut St. in Springfield.