State Open Champ Tyler Hall Sets Sights On Biggest Stage

When 2015 State Open champion Tyler Hall of Upper Montclair saw former New Jersey pro Brian Gaffney of New York’s Quaker Ridge become the first club professional to make the cut at the PGA Tour major since 2011, he projected himself being in the same situation in coming years.

Currently, Hall, 34, is a year or two away from attaining his PGA Class A certification which would allow him to play in the National Club Pro Championship and attempt to earn a berth in the PGA Championship. But he is making the most of his current role as Director of Instruction at Upper Montclair in the summer and as a private golf instructor in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the winter.

“(Former Rumson pro) Brian Gaffney obviously is a terrific player, one of best in the country. He’s a guy I’ve looked up to for long time. What he did at Whistling Straits is a big reason why I’ve chosen this road, and why ‘m going through PGA schooling to get my Class A certification. I know I can compete at that level.

“Brian has always been a supporter of mine and vice versa. He’s just one of those good guys. It’s a tough balance to be a club pro and play at such a high level. When you earn an exemption into that tournament, it’s not so easy to dive in on a major stage. A lot goes into it. Brian did us all proud. I hope very soon I can be one of those guys out there,” said Hall, a native of Wayne, N.J.

Last summer, Hall was just six months into his new job at Upper Montclair after 10 years on the mini-tour circuit when he won the 95th New Jersey State Golf Association Open Championship by seven shots on July 16, at the Rockaway River Country Club in Denville.

Thanks to a late birdie run, Hall fired a 4-under-par 68 for a three day total of 68-69-68-205 to outdistance defending champion, amateur Max Greyserman of Crestmont (67-73-72-212) by seven shots and collect the winner’s check of $15,000.

“Winning the State Open was special. Any time you accomplish something like that, it provides great peace of mind, just knowing my name is going on that trophy with a lot of the great players in history,” Hall said. “As far as gaining momentum from it, my game is still at its peak. If everything goes right, I’d like to give the State Open another run.”

A lot has changed since then. An American Certified Exercise (ACE) personal trainer, Hall has been trying to rehab a torn labrum in his right shoulder to avoid surgery. He must also adapt to a new style of putting since the USGA and PGA Tour has outlawed the belly putter which he championed right up through the end of 2015.

“I’m thinking about the modified saw grip, which Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia are now using, but I I think I’ll go with the arm-lock putter which Matt Kuchar uses. It still feels like I’m anchored. It keeps everything together, which is good,” said Hall, who golfed at the University of Kansas.

During the winter in Arizona, Hall rents out space on the range at the McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale. A few years ago, he met a young lady named Paige Spiranac and asked her to be his partner on the Golf Channel Show “The Big Break.”

Hall didn’t realize Spiranac was too young to appear, and soon after Hall’s chance at appearing on the TV show was scuttled when his thumb required surgery.

Spiranac, who also practices at McCormick Ranch, went on to play on the golf team at San Diego State and a Youtube video of her on the links has led to a contract with Callaway Golf and another with a modeling firm.

She received an exemption to play in the recent Ladies Dubai Masters, but fared poorly. She has since called upon Hall to be her instructor.

“Knowing me, she feels I am someone she can trust,” said Hall, who dedicated his State Open victory to then six-month-old daughter Finley. “Paige definitely has the game. She has to learn to calm the nerves and be patient and let the game come to her. She’s been working hard the last month and a half and she’ll make her debut on the Cactus Tour at the end of the month.”

He has won multiple times on every level from Junior to Amateur to Professional, highlighted with wins at the 2011 MGA/Met Open Championship and 2015 State Open.

Hall couldn’t be happier than being in his positon as a teaching pro.

“I don’t foresee myself going the route of a club pro. It’s something my dad (Larry) and my family friends did. My passion is in teaching. It allows me to stay on top of my game. It’s a nice fit for me. I don’t think I’d thrive being in a pro shop.”