Jack Schultz (Wisconsin Golf Photo)
Jack Schultz has finished in the top ten of the last three Wisconsin State Amateur's, but has yet to win one.
Until Thursday.
Schultz, a native of Whitefish Bay, Wisc., finished the 122nd Wisconsin State Amateur at Erin Hills at 6-under par, good enough to win by three shots over Cameron Huss of Kenosha, Wisc., who finished at 3-under par. Garrett Jones of Madison, Wisc., finished in solo third place at even par.
Schultz and Huss were the only two golfers to finish the tournament under par.
Schultz -- who will turn 33 on Sunday, gave himself an early birthday present with the win. He shot rounds of 69-69-73-71 to finish 6-under.
Schultz has been close before, but never held the trophy. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Schultz finished T8, T4, and T3, improving his result every year.
"I have been hitting it really well lately so I felt good about my chances to ht the ball close and then make some of. the putts as well," Schultz said.
Schultz made no double bogeys and 21 birdies on the week, which is no easy task at a course like Erin Hills, where Dustin Johnson won the U.S. Open in 2017.
"Getting rid of the doubles and making some birdies really helped, he said"
Schultz and Ross Thomson of Madison, Wisc., were the only two golfers to shoot under par in the final round as the wind wreaked havoc on most players' scores.
"It was quite, quite windy and still is," Schultz said. "The pin locations were in tough spots and there were run offs all over the place. I tend to play better in tougher conditions because it really makes you focus on every shot and you never get lazy."
"That is what is great about Erin Hills," Schultz added. Because the course is so tough. Even when there isn't any wind you have to really focus on each shot."
Schultz played with the lead all four rounds, but that did not impact his strategy and the way he wanted to play.
"I wasn't too focused on having the lead and trying to win," Schultz said. "I like playing golf and going out and hitting good shots and that was my focus (in the final round)."
Schultz recently put more of an emphasis on improving his game, and the results speak for themselves.
"The past couple of years I have been trying to make some changes and it is great to see the hard work paying off," Schultz said.
Schultz also qualified for the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur and made the round of 64.
ABOUT THE Wisconsin State Amateur
This event has been conducted annually since 1901.
The format, originally match play, was changed to a
72-hole stroke-play event in 1971. The State
Amateur, contested over four consecutive days, is
annually conducted on one of Wisconsin’s finest
courses and continues to be recognized as the
premier amateur tournament held in Wisconsin. A
three-man team competition, the Yule Cup, where
players representing the same club compete for the
Cup, is also held. To be eligible, players must have a
WSGA Handicap Index of 9.4 or less.
View Complete Tournament Information