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Schutte aims at pro career after Amateur
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | No comments posted.
BANDON — Former Siuslaw High School golf standout Jesse Schutte has his eyes set on a professional career.
First, though, he’d like to claim a major prize before turning pro — the title at the 100th Oregon Amateur.
Schutte was safely under the cut line after the second day of qualifying at Bandon Dunes on Tuesday, shooting a 6-over 78 after his opening round of 79.
He and 63 other men and 32 women begin the match play portion of the tournament today. The 36-hole finals for the men and women will be held Saturday.
Schutte’s score left him in a tie for 17th place, seven shots behind Kevin Beavers, a former University of Portland golfer who had a 76 Tuesday to go with a 74 in the opening round, for a total of 150. Seven others were at 152.
Bandon Dunes caddie Tim Tucker also made the cut, shooting an 86 during the windiest part of the day Tuesday to finish tied for 29th at 160. Marshfield graduate Skyler Johnson could not make up for an opening round of 90 and missed the cut by six shots after shooting an 83 Tuesday.
University of Oregon golfer Kendra Little took medalist honors among the women with a two-day total of 155, three shots better than Lake Oswego High School graduate Amy Beth Simanton. Both Simanton and Kristen Svicarovich shot 76 Tuesday, the best score among the women. Defending champion Kate Hildahl, another Oregon golfer, was eighth, followed by fellow Ducks Erica Omlid and Avery Sills, who will face Marie Simonds of Coquille in the opening round of match play.
Simonds, the director of golf at Southwestern Oregon Community College, was tied for 22nd place. Former Bandon Dunes employee Kiri Carnahan, who now lives in the Portland area, finished 33rd, missing the cut by a single stroke.
Schutte wasn’t worried about his position, because now the scores are erased for match play and each round he only has to win more holes than his opponent to advance.
“I feel like if I play well, nobody’s going to beat me,” he said, showing the confidence he had as a three-time state champion at Siuslaw.
Schutte took his golf skills to The University of Oklahoma, and had success as a freshman, but decided to transfer to Oregon State University after his sophomore season with the Sooners. He had to sit out the past season under transfer rules, but decided this spring that school and golf were not a good combination and he would rather try to become a professional.
“I don’t think playing golf and making money would be too bad of a life,” he said.
Schutte moved back to Florence and bought a membership at Sandpines Golf Links, where most days he gets in 36 holes and additional practice time. He hopes to get his game up to speed in time for the first step of trying to get into PGA Qualifying School in September.
In the meantime, he’s hoping for a big week at Bandon Dunes.
He was 7 over in the opening round, taking a double bogey on No. 18.
“I didn’t get a practice round in and I hadn’t played in about four years here,” he said. “Yesterday was like hit and pray.
“Today I got a lot more comfortable and I knew where to hit the ball.”
Schutte said he had several putts lip out in a round that included three birdies, a pair of double bogeys and five bogeys.
Schutte opens match play against Matthew Schuth, while Tucker, who has had success in past events, including the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Bandon Dunes in 2007, opens with Jeff Petroff.
Beavers led a strong contingent of golfers with University of Portland ties into match play. Pilot teammate Jake Wagner was among the players tied for second, along with Oregon’s Robbie Ziegler and Oregon State’s Tyler Simpson.
Portland’s Justin Smithhisler was tied for 11th, with Portland coach Bill Winter 14th, Pilot recruit Nick Chianello tied for 17th, and teammates Cory Schmidt and Samuel Kloenne also in the match play field.
Oregon’s Andrew Vijarro, Isaiah Telles and Jack Dukeminier advanced, as did Oregon State all-star Paul Peterson.
After today’s first round, the men’s second and third rounds will be Thursday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday.
The women play the first round today and the second round Thursday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday.
First, though, he’d like to claim a major prize before turning pro — the title at the 100th Oregon Amateur.
Schutte was safely under the cut line after the second day of qualifying at Bandon Dunes on Tuesday, shooting a 6-over 78 after his opening round of 79.
He and 63 other men and 32 women begin the match play portion of the tournament today. The 36-hole finals for the men and women will be held Saturday.
Schutte’s score left him in a tie for 17th place, seven shots behind Kevin Beavers, a former University of Portland golfer who had a 76 Tuesday to go with a 74 in the opening round, for a total of 150. Seven others were at 152.
Bandon Dunes caddie Tim Tucker also made the cut, shooting an 86 during the windiest part of the day Tuesday to finish tied for 29th at 160. Marshfield graduate Skyler Johnson could not make up for an opening round of 90 and missed the cut by six shots after shooting an 83 Tuesday.
University of Oregon golfer Kendra Little took medalist honors among the women with a two-day total of 155, three shots better than Lake Oswego High School graduate Amy Beth Simanton. Both Simanton and Kristen Svicarovich shot 76 Tuesday, the best score among the women. Defending champion Kate Hildahl, another Oregon golfer, was eighth, followed by fellow Ducks Erica Omlid and Avery Sills, who will face Marie Simonds of Coquille in the opening round of match play.
Simonds, the director of golf at Southwestern Oregon Community College, was tied for 22nd place. Former Bandon Dunes employee Kiri Carnahan, who now lives in the Portland area, finished 33rd, missing the cut by a single stroke.
Schutte wasn’t worried about his position, because now the scores are erased for match play and each round he only has to win more holes than his opponent to advance.
“I feel like if I play well, nobody’s going to beat me,” he said, showing the confidence he had as a three-time state champion at Siuslaw.
Schutte took his golf skills to The University of Oklahoma, and had success as a freshman, but decided to transfer to Oregon State University after his sophomore season with the Sooners. He had to sit out the past season under transfer rules, but decided this spring that school and golf were not a good combination and he would rather try to become a professional.
“I don’t think playing golf and making money would be too bad of a life,” he said.
Schutte moved back to Florence and bought a membership at Sandpines Golf Links, where most days he gets in 36 holes and additional practice time. He hopes to get his game up to speed in time for the first step of trying to get into PGA Qualifying School in September.
In the meantime, he’s hoping for a big week at Bandon Dunes.
He was 7 over in the opening round, taking a double bogey on No. 18.
“I didn’t get a practice round in and I hadn’t played in about four years here,” he said. “Yesterday was like hit and pray.
“Today I got a lot more comfortable and I knew where to hit the ball.”
Schutte said he had several putts lip out in a round that included three birdies, a pair of double bogeys and five bogeys.
Schutte opens match play against Matthew Schuth, while Tucker, who has had success in past events, including the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Bandon Dunes in 2007, opens with Jeff Petroff.
Beavers led a strong contingent of golfers with University of Portland ties into match play. Pilot teammate Jake Wagner was among the players tied for second, along with Oregon’s Robbie Ziegler and Oregon State’s Tyler Simpson.
Portland’s Justin Smithhisler was tied for 11th, with Portland coach Bill Winter 14th, Pilot recruit Nick Chianello tied for 17th, and teammates Cory Schmidt and Samuel Kloenne also in the match play field.
Oregon’s Andrew Vijarro, Isaiah Telles and Jack Dukeminier advanced, as did Oregon State all-star Paul Peterson.
After today’s first round, the men’s second and third rounds will be Thursday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday.
The women play the first round today and the second round Thursday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday.
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