Henry Hitt follows through on a shot during the Jackson City Golf Championship qualifying round on Saturday at the Country Club of Jackson. Hitt tied for medalist honors with a 1-under-par 71. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
Golfer Henry Hitt didn’t know how well he would play at the 2020 Jackson City Golf Championships at the Country Club of Jackson on Saturday.
Until three weeks ago, he had only played twice since the summer of 2019.
It must have come back to him rather quickly.
Hitt tied with Mike Brockie for medalist honors, both shooting 1-under par 71s at CC of J.
They will join defending champion Steve Maddalena and 29 other golfers following qualifying on Saturday.
Hitt said he moved back to Jackson in March from New York City where he is working as a staff accountant. He “rescued” his clubs from the NYC apartment in mid-May.
“I have not been able to play a lot of golf,” Hitt said. “I have played a decent amount in the past few days.”
Hitt graduated from Hillsdale College and moved to NYC. He moved back from the big city in March to get away from the COVID-19 pandemic. NYC was one of the hardest hit areas in the world. He continues to work from home in Jackson.
Hitt and Brockie went toe-to-toe in the qualifying as they were in the same threesome.
“We were making birdies and I was feeding off him,” Hitt said. “It is a huge confidence boost knowing I can still play well.”
Logan Anuszkiewicz, John Tarpley, Pete Walz, and Cannon Risner shot 73s in qualifying. Brian Carney carded a 74 and Cody Lysher and Todd Marston finished with 75s.
Match play starts Sunday, leading to the 36-hole championship match June 13.
Jackson City Golf Qualifying
Saturday, June 6, Country Club of Jackson
The top 31 and defending champion advance to match play
Mike Brockie 71
Henry Hitt 71
Logan Anuszkiewicz 73
John Tarpley 73
Pete Walz 73
Cannon Risner 73
Brad McEldowney 73
Brian Carney 74
Cody Lysher 75
Todd Marston 75
Bret Valkuchak 76
Dave Page 76
Luke Girodat 76
Riley Hestwood 76
Tim Pickering 77
Mike Raymond 77
Mark Kurzynowski 77
Collin McLane 78
Mike Boldt 78
Justin Bunch 78
Dave Crandall 78
Conor Spencer 79
Evan Brzyski 80
Brett Casto 80
Matt Farhat 80
Chad Risner 80
Sean Vann 80
Will Double 80
Lance Veydt 81
Zach Boorom 81
Tom Raymond 81
______________ cutline line at 81 (three players earned spots in playoff)
Matt Brown 81
Tom Butterfield 82
Bryan Marvin 84
Jamie Clark 84
Danny Bellus 85
Mike Kulka 85
Malon Backinger 86
Josh VanCampen 86
Jim Coutu 86
John Gaston 87
Garret Spink 88
Jason Norris 92
Josh Wilson 92
Jim Clark 96