Weaver, Skirkanich, Alcorn Tri-Medal in Amateur Qualifier at Royce Brook
Derek Weaver, Jack Skirkanich, and Ben Alcorn all fired 2-under par 70s to tri-medal in the fourth of five qualifying rounds for the 120th New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank on Wednesday at Royce Brook Golf Club. Twelve golfers shot 3-over or better on Royce Brook's West Course to qualify for the championship.
Derek Weaver, out of Panther Valley Country Club, made a pair of birdies in a flawless front nine. He made his only bogey of the day at the 13th, but rebounded with a birdie at the 14th.
“I think I was at a slight advantage today going off at 8:30,” Weaver said. “I think I played around six holes with little-to-no wind, and then all of the back nine, it was howling. I was just able to hang in there, get up-and-down a few times and just play good golf.”
Jack Skirkanich of Rumson Country Club made the turn at 2-over, but he flipped the switch and made five birdies in his second half to finish 38-32-70 (2-under).
“That was one of the best nines I’ve played in a while,” Skirkanich said. “You try not to think about it. I honestly didn’t know what I shot until I got in, so that’s usually a good sign.”
Baltusrol Golf Club’s Ben Alcorn made the turn at even-par, but kick-started his round with a birdie at No. 10 and a hole-out eagle at No. 11. He birdied the 18th to join Skirkanich and Weaver at the top.
“I hit three perfect shots on 10; driver, gap wedge, and then made a 15-foot putt,” Alcorn described. “Then, 11 wasn’t really gettable, so I went driver, 5-iron, and laid up. I had 99 yards, and I saw it take one bounce and go in the hole. That was pretty exciting.”
John Fizer and Richard Fitzsimmons each shot 1-over par 73 to finish tied for fourth. The top-12 qualified for the championship, which is scheduled to be played July 6-8 at Essex Fells Country Club.
