Skirkanich's Even-par 71 Earns Medal At Mid-amateur Qualifier
Jack Skirkanich of Rumson is most comfortable on golf courses designed by Charles Banks. After all, he helps renovate them in his job as a golf course architect for Tripp Davis and Associates.
On Tuesday, Skirkanich fired a even-par 71 to win the medal at qualifying for the 33rd NJSGA Mid-Amateur over the 6,490-yard Banks Course at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe.
“I’ve always liked playing classic courses. Here, the bunkers can be very scary. It was really windy here and I wasn’t expecting that. But I am familiar with these severe greens,” said Skirkanich, 33, a former teammate of PGA Tour standout Brandt Snedeker.
Skirkanich dropped six putts in the 15-to-20 foot range and finished with five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey on the short par-4 fourth hole, when he hooked his drive out of bounds.
Skirkanich’s 71 was two shots better than the 73s carded by Bil Canon of Plainfield and Ryan MacDonald of Colts Neck. Rob Kilbride of Shark River, Jason Bataille of Metedeconk National and Michael Stephanik of Forsgate shot 74.
A total of 26 golfers who shot 77 made the cut for the Mid-Amateur Championship, May 10-12, at Spring Lake Golf Club, which Skirkanich helped renovate for Tripp Davis a year ago.
Skirkanich said he hadn’t played much golf, having enjoyed the birth of his first child, a daughter, one month ago.
He played nine holes at the new Skyway Golf Club in Jersey City on Monday.
He was a young standout, finishing runner-up in match-play to future PGA Tour professional Johnson Wagner in the 2001 Met Amateur. In 2000, he was runner-up to Martin Catalioto in the Met Junior.
In 2014, he teamed with John Browndorf to reach the quarterfinals of the nJSGA Better-Ball Championship.
He has had top 10 finishes in the State Amateur, and plans on playing in the State Amateur, State Open, Ike and Met Open this season.
“I’ve never felt I’ve played to my full potential in state events,” he noted.
