Background
Melnyk was born in Brunswick, Georgia.
Melnyk was born in Brunswick, Georgia.
He attended the Glynn Academy in Brunswick for his high school education. Melnyk attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Buster Bishop"s Florida Gators men"s golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (National Collegiate Athletic Association) competition from 1967 to 1969. Melnyk graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor"s degree in industrial management in 1969.
He claimed the British Amateur with a 3 & 2 victory over fellow American Jim Simons at Carnoustie Golf Links in 1970. Melnyk also had wins at the Western Amateur and Eastern Amateur and played on the 1969 and 1971 Walker Cup teams. He was low amateur in the 1970 British Open (tie for 41st) and at the 1971 Masters Tournament (tie for 24th).
He did not find the success he had as an amateur carried over to his professional career.
His best finish in a major was a tie for 12th at the 1972 Masters Tournament. At the 1982 Phoenix Open, Melnyk slipped and broke his right elbow.
While recuperating from the injury, he became an on-course reporter for Columbia Broadcasting System Sports. He resumed playing later that year and both played and reported through the 1984 season when he retired from playing.
He stayed with Columbia Broadcasting System until 1992, when joined American Broadcasting Company Sports.
He retired from television in 2004, after 22 years as a reporter and analyst for Columbia Broadcasting System Sports, American Broadcasting Company Sports and Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. He has also designed or co-designed several golf courses. Melnyk was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1970, the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Melnyk is retired from professional golf and broadcasting, but has regained his amateur golfer status and continues to play.
He remains an actively involved University of Florida alumnus, and served a ten-year stint on the board of directors of the Gators athletic boosters, including a term as its president
He lives in Jacksonville, Florida. 1965 Georgia Open (as an amateur) Amateur Walker Cup: 1969 (winners), 1971.