Bill Hook Medalist In State Open Qualifier At Roxiticus

Bill Hook of Knickerbocker birdied three of his final five holes for a one-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors at Monday’s qualifier for the NJSGA 94th Open Championship at the 6,551-yard Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham.

Kwanwoo Kim of Valley Brook shot an even-par 70 while Dan O’Rourke of Oak Hill was next with a one-over-par 71.

A total of 19 golfers who shot 74 or better advanced to the State Open Championship to be contested July 15-17 at Essex County Country Club in West Orange.

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“Things were working well today. It had been an up-and-down day and finally things started going my way,” said Hook, 29, in his fourth year as head professional at Knickerbocker.

“This will be my third State Open and I haven’t made the cut yet. Maybe this will be the year. We’ll see what happens,” said Hook, who attended Hawthorne High School and Penn State University.

Hook started on the 10thhole and was one-under-par for his first nine with two birdies and a bogey. Coming home, he birdied the par-5 fifth hole, the par-3 sixth hole and the par-3 ninth. He did bogey the par-4 eighth.

“They were all 10-foot putts for birdie. I hit a lot of greens in regulation,” said Hook.

Kim, an 18-year-old who graduated Tenafly High School this month, carded three birdies and three bogeys for his even par performance. This spring, he advanced through the U.S. Open qualifier at Bedens Brook with a 72 before failing to advance through the sectional qualifying at Old Oaks and Century in New York. There he shot 80-81 while paired with Kevin Foley, a former State Open champion who is on the PGA Tour.

“I made a lot of five and six footers I usually don’t make,” said Kim, who will attend UCLA in the fall and attempt to walk on to the golf team. “I’m looking forward to the State Open. It will be a good test against pros and amateurs.”

O’Rourke is also a recent high school graduate, from Delaware Valley Regional. He was T3 at the high school Tournament of Champions this spring and will join the golf team at the University of Hartford.

“Two weeks ago I took some lessons from David Glenz and we worked on slowing everything down. It really helped me. I’m excited about the State Open. It’s the biggest event I’ll have played in.”