Teenagers shoot lowest scores in qualifying round of N. Ky. Men’s Amateur


By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Teenagers won the Northern Kentucky Men’s Amateur the last two years and the youth movement continued Monday when a high school senior and college freshman shot the lowest scores in the 18-hole qualifying round at Highland Country Club in Fort Thomas.

Tyler Lippert, who will be a senior at Mason County High School this year, shot a 1-under 69 to take medalist honors in the field of 35 golfers. This is the first time that Lippert has entered the Men’s Amateur and he had never played the Highland course before.

“I pretty much just kept the ball in front of me and hit fairways and greens,” Lippert said. “It was the first time I’d ever played the course so I didn’t get overly aggressive. On that course, it’s pretty much all about keeping it out of trouble and making birdies when you can, and pars are good.”

Jacob Poore
Jacob Poore

The runner-up for medalist honors was Jacob Poore, who will be a freshman at Northern Kentucky University this fall. He shot a 2-over 72 that included an even-par 35 on the back nine.

“I had a lot of three putts, but I made a long putt on No. 17 which definitely helped a little bit,” Poore said. “I just kept it out of trouble and did what I could to make pars and got a couple birdies.”

Greg Schuh, a member of Highland Country Club, placed third in the qualifer with a 3-over 73. He carded a birdie on No. 11, a 485-yard, par-5 hole that gave a lot of other golfers problems. “I think it’s always helpful to know the course and know where to hit shots,” he said.

Lippert, Poore and Schuh are among 16 golfers in the championship flight who will play two rounds of match play to determine the four finalists for this year’s title. Those four golfers will then compete in 36 holes of medal play on Thursday and the one with the lowest total score will carry off the championship trophy in the 75th annual event.

Defending champion Paul Huber, who was a high school senior when he won last year’s tournament, did not play in Monday’s qualifer because he was assured a berth in championship flight match play. All of the first-round matches are listed on the Northern Kentucky Golf Association website.

“I’ve only played in one match play tournament so far in my whole career,” Lippert said. “It’ll be really different for me, but I’m excited about it.”

Poore qualified for match play in the Cincinnati Met a couple of weeks ago. He lost 1-up on the 22nd hole in the first round so he’s looking forward to getting another crack at that format.

“I’m pretty confident in my game,” he said. “If I can putt and get the ball in the hole consistently, I feel like I’ve got a good shot.”


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