Hicks Is Medalist At State Open Qualifier At Glenwood C.C.
Alexander Hicks, the 23-year-old teaching professional at Stone Harbor, had played Glenwood Country Club in Old Bridge once before.
“I played in the same State Open qualifier a couple years ago, and I knew driving was the key. I hit mostly three woods and three irons and that’s what you have to do. It’s very tight out there,” said Hicks, who earned medalist honors with a 2-under-par 70 on Thursday, June 16, in the Glenwood qualifier for the 96th NJSGA Open Championship, which will be played July 11-13 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
Hicks. who had an excellent round with just two birdies and no bogeys, was tops among 14 among the field of 84 who shot 74 or better to gain entry into the upcoming State Open. Just one stroke behind him with 71s were pro Brandon Holden of Baltusrol and amateurs Vince (Bin) Kwon of Little Mill and Steven Taraska of Echo Lake.
Dave Laudien, a pro at Howell Park, was fifth with an even-par 72.
“I drove it phenomenal today,” said Hicks, who graduated the College of William and Mary in 2015 and starred for the golf team. The native of Cape May Courthouse still lives at home and is attempting to qualify for both Web.com and PGA Tour events through Monday qualifiers.
“I won our (William and Mary) home tournament one year and I beat Daniel Berger of Florida State, who is now on the PGA Tour. I got to see what real competition is like,” said Hicks who has made the cut both times he has participated in the State Open.
Three years ago, he made it to the 36-hole final of the Philadelphia Amateur, losing to Mike McDermott. “There are so many good players in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area. That second place showed me I could compete with them,” said Hicks, who plans to attempt Q-School for the Web.com Tour in the fall.
Holden, 28, is the son of a teaching pro in Coral Springs, Fla. Before becoming an assistant pro at Baltusrol in March, 2013, Holden spent five years as a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates chain before injuring a shoulder, then spent two more on the professional long-drive tour, finishing 19th in the world in 2012.
He met his fiancée, Shannon, the daughter of Montammy pro Mike Burke, in Florida. The couple will be married in January.
“I really don’t hit it crazy long anymore. I have a decent all-around game. As long as my putter is working, I’m okay,” Holden said.
Vince Kwon, a 22-year-old self-taught golfer from Little Mill, fired a 3-under-par 67 to earn medalist honors in the first qualifying event for the NJSGA 115th Amateur Championship on Tuesday, May 17, at Burlington Country Club in Mount Holly.
Kwon made the cut at the NJSGA Open in 2014. He also reached stroke-play in the Philadelphia Amateur in 2015. As a plus-2 handicapper, Kwon has played in four U.S. Open qualifiers, including one this spring at Hollywood, but never got past the local qualifying stage.
Taraska is a rising senior at Methodist University in North Carolina and mentioned his team often practices at Pinehurst. He is in the golf management program and in his second year as in intern at Echo Lake. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen.
