Advances to New Jersey tourney previously won by Woods, Mickelson
After playing some of the best golf of his young career, Hahnville High School senior Jason Noto has advanced to the 42nd Trusted Choice Big I National Tournament in Chesterfield, N.J.
Previous winners of the national tournament include Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Noto, 18, advanced to the tournament after a lights out performance in the Gulf States Junior Tour qualifier held at the Island Golf Club in Plaquemine. There, Noto finished with a two-day total of 134, including a second round score of 63 that set the course record.
“I really didn’t know how good I was playing, and if I did, I would have only gotten in my own way,” Noto said. “After the first day, I was tied with another kid and all I was trying to do was put a little distance between us.”
Noto put more than a little distance between him and his closest competitor after birdying five holes in a row in the second round.
He ended up winning the qualifier by 10 strokes.
“The lowest round I ever shot was a 68 and I realized I had a chance to finish below 65,” Noto said. “I ended with a 63, which I didn’t know was a course record at the time.”
In fact, Noto said it took a whole day for his achievement to sink in.
“I actually had to go to the Web site a day after the tournament ended and look at my score online to see that I had shot a 63,” he said. “I just couldn’t believe it.
“But I felt that I had worked so hard and come so close before that it was payback for all the practice I have put in.”
Noto, who shot a 71 in the first round in the pouring rain, said that his recent performance was the best he has ever putted in his career.
“I’ve hit similar shots before, but all my putts were falling this time,” he said.
The 42nd Trusted Choice Big I will be Noto’s first-ever national tournament. So far, he’s trying not to think too much about it.
“I’ve played in big tournaments before and I’m not treating the national tournament any differently,” he said. “Because of the success I’ve had this summer, I feel my chances are just as good as any other junior that will be playing. Confidence is important in a tournament like this.”
The 42nd Trusted Choice Big I National Tournament will be held at Old York Country Club in Chesterfield, N.J. from July 27-30.
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