By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Once Ben Perrine decided golf was his sport of choice, his level of play showed a huge improvement.
Now the rising senior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High North is preparing to play in the biggest golf tournament of his young career.
“This will be the biggest one yet for me,” said Perrine, who will play in the Big ‘I’ Junior Golf Championship at Praire Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, beginning on Monday.
“I tried for the U.S. Amateur at Forsgate and played in a couple other tournaments within driving distance. I am doing it mostly for the recruiting process and talking to college coaches. Jake Gurock from (WW-P) South made it to this tournament last year.”
Perrine qualified for the Big ‘I’ state tournament by placing in the top 10 individuals at the Mercer County Tournament during the high school season. The state tournament was a one-day, 36-hole event at Stanton Ridge, where Perrine shot 150 to finish second to Luke Wolkin of Whitehouse Station, who shot a 147.
“I think 36 holes in one day is one of the toughest tests in sports physically and mentally,” Perrine said. “It’s a real test of will. Stanton Ridge is a hilly course and you are walking up and down the hills all day with the golf bag.”
Perrine will arrive in Kansas this weekend and is looking forward to playing in an event on the national stage. There will be a practice round on Sunday followed by 36 holes to be played Monday and Tuesday to qualify. Those who make the cut play Wednesday and Thursday.
“I have talked to a couple of the older men at Forsgate where I play and they have heard of the place and said it is a great course and I will love it,” Perrine said. “I am excited for the golfing experience and having the opportunity to play in something like this.”
Qualifying is just another step forward in the process for Perrine, who has come a long way on the golf course over the last four years.
“The summer before my freshman year is when I really took it up,” Perrine said. “My dad has played his whole life and I had played casually since I was about 8. I had been big into baseball but before I got to high school I started to concentrate on golf.
“During the summer I play every day. In the fall I play maybe twice a week and on the weekends. During the winter Princeton Country Club has a simulator and now Forsgate where I am is getting a winter practice facility. This will be my first winter there and I am looking forward to it.”
The practice throughout the year has helped Perrine continue to grow as a golfer and now he’ll get a chance to see where he stands against some of the top players in the nation.
