Scotch Plains native John Pak named to 2021 U.S. Walker Cup Team

Photo courtesy USGA

It’s been an exciting ride for Scotch Plains native John Pak, as he concludes his outstanding collegiate career this spring at Florida State University.

On March 1, he was named to the 10-man United States Walker Cup team as one of only three returning golfers from the victorious 2019 Walker Cup Match. The U.S. team will meet Great Britain and Ireland in the 48th Match at Seminole Golf Club, in Juno Beach, Fla., Saturday and Sunday, May 8-9. It will be the first time the competition has been held in the springtime on U.S. soil.

Stewart Hagestad of Newport Beach Calif., and Cole Hammer of Houston, Tex., were also members of the 2019 team.

“The Walker Cup in 2019 was one of the best experiences of my life, so to be able to do it again on my home soil means so much to me,” Pak said recently. Last September, he was the low amateur, tying for 51st place, in the U.S. Open at New York’s Winged Foot Golf Club.

Following the U.S. Open success, Pak kept himself busy during the COVID-19 pandemic by playing fall golf at FSU and taking part in the Arnold Palmer Cup at Florida’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in late December.

There, Pak went 1-1-2 in his four matches against the victorious International Team, which won, 40.5-19.5, over the U.S. squad. The Michael Carter Award, presented to the Arnold Palmer Cup participant that best represents the qualities and ideals of sportsmanship and integrity, was given to Pak.

This spring, Pak has played well in leading Florida State to victories in two spring collegiate events.

“COVID-19 has had a huge impact on everyone’s collegiate career, but I’ve tried my best to take positives out of it,” Pak said recently.

Pak attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School for two years before moving to Orlando for training. As a junior golfer, Pak was named Rolex Junior First Team All-American by the American Junior Golf Association.

He is in a prime position to turn professional once the NCAA Championships are completed in May. As of February 28, Pak holds the top spot in the PGA TOUR University Ranking. Those who finish in the top five after the NCAAs earn Korn Ferry Tour status and an exemption into Q-School’s final stage later this year.

In the 2019 Walker Cup Match, Pak was the only American on the 10-man team to go 3-0, winning one foursomes match and two singles matches. He won his first singles match victory by taking the final two holes over British Amateur champion, James Sugrue of Ireland. The U.S. trailed, 7-5, but dominated in singles, 8-2, on the final Sunday for a 15.5-10.5 triumph, extending its series lead to 37-9-1.

“I think that playing in a previous Walker Cup gives me a little bit of an edge because I had an extra chance to play a team event. I feel that team events are very different than playing on your own. There is a little added pressure trying to help your team win,” Pak stated.

“In some ways, though, there’s less pressure playing in Florida because I’ve lived here so long. It is like a second home to me. I’m comfortable here and have always played well here.”

An All-America for the third straight time last season, Pak was selected for this year’s team on the strength of his No. 7 status in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Winner of the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, he has competed in four U.S. Amateurs, reaching the Round of 16 in 2019 at Pinehurst No. 2. Pak, who has played in nine USGA championships, advanced to match play in all four U.S. Junior Amateurs in which he competed, reaching the quarterfinals in 2015 and semifinals in 2016.

As a youngster, Pak played at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough. His first golf coach was Matt Choi at the Bogota Golf Range. Following his sophomore year in high school, Pak moved to Florida where he spends the winter months, but he still considers Scotch Plains as his home.

He is among the most successful New Jerseyans ever to represent the USA in the Walker Cup, a list that includes Chris Nallen of Hackettstown, Morgan Hoffmann of Saddle Brook, Brad Faxon of Oceanport, Mike Sposa of Teaneck and Todd Demsey of Ridgewood.