Jackson’s Currie continues to improve on the golf links

By Mike White
Staff Writer

By Mike White
Staff Writer

JACKSON — As a young boy, Shawn Currie wasn’t all that interested in playing golf. In fact, it wasn’t until the age of 14 that Currie started to get serious about the sport. Two years later, Currie’s commitment to the game is evident in solid tournament results.

Two weeks ago Currie captured the Trenton Times Future Tours Invitational at Mercer Oaks Country Club. Currie shot a 1-under-par 71 to capture the one-day event for the first time. Currie defeated his closest competitor by two strokes.

"I thought I had a pretty good round on the course that day," Currie said. "I really didn’t make too many mistakes. I thought I was driving the ball well and made a lot of greens in regulation. It was one of those days when everything seems to go your way."

Currie, a student at Jackson High School and a member of the Jaguars golf team, which finished with an overall record of 9-9, finished his round with four birdies. Currie started fast, making back-to-back birdies early.

In fact, Currie nearly made eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. After reaching the green in two, Currie narrowly missed his putt for eagle. He followed that by making birdie on the par-3 fifth hole. He hit his iron shot off the tee to within 3 feet and sank the putt for his second consecutive birdie.

"At that point in the round, I was playing very well," Currie said. "I had a good chance to make eagle on No. 4 and just missed. That really would have given me a boost if that had went."

On the back nine, Currie birdied Nos. 12 and 15. Again he reached the par-5 15th in two and went on to two putt for birdie.

Currie’s putting was very consistent in the single-round event.

"Sometimes I find myself struggling with my putter," Currie admitted. "But I felt I did a good job that day. I got off the tee well all round, and I think that set me up for the rest of the shots."

Currie earned a berth in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at P.J. National Resort in Palm Beach Springs, Fla., by finishing fourth in a tournament held at Battleground Country Club in Freehold back in June.

Currie played three rounds in the Florida event and finished 170th out of a total of a field of 280 golfers. Currie finished with rounds of 79-78-82. He did say the competition was fierce.

"I was a little nervous going to play there," Currie said. "I thought that the golfers around here were good, but when I got there, I was going against some of the best juniors in the world. I think it was a good experience to get out and compete against that caliber of player. I feel it will help my game in the future."

Scoring on the course layout was difficult, Currie said. The holes played long and were saddled with plenty of water and ankle-long rough. Not staying in the fairway turned out to be a huge mistake, Currie said. But overall, he was pleased with his performance.

"Considering the competition, pressure and the tough course, I think I had a pretty good tournament," Currie said. "Sure, I feel I could have played better, but it was a learning experience. My putting could have been a little better."

Currie credits his dad with introducing him to the sport. And he’s taken a liking to it ever since, practicing four to five times a week.

"He took me out golfing when I was 14," Currie said. "I really enjoyed it and decided that I wanted to get better. So I started practicing much more."

Currie works with Scott McGee, an assistant pro at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. He credits McGee with making changes in his game.

"He’s helped me out a lot," Currie said. "He’s really straightened out my iron play. I seem to be hitting the ball straighter and more accurately."