Jackson Van Paris was not a key member of Vanderbilt’s lineup last year, but that isn’t his fault.
He was a talented sophomore who had to compete with some of the most experienced players in college golf. He played in just five tournaments. His best finish was T-6 at the John Hayt invitational.
He has shown that he can be a major factor for the Commodores in his junior year.
Van Paris won Saturday’s 82nd Sunnehanna Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club, Johnstown in Pennsylvania. He won the title by one stroke, shooting 13-under 265. Ohio State’s Neal Shipley was beaten by just one shot. Van Paris’ 9-under-61 in the second day, when he took over the lead in that round and never looked behind him, was a major factor in his victory.
Van Paris won the tournament despite a bogey at his last hole. Shipley, who started the final round on Saturday two shots behind Van Paris, shot a 4-under-66, but that wasn’t good enough to catch him.
Sebastian Moss, from Louisville, shot 7-under in the final round and is now alone third with 11-under 269 Luke Clanton, Herman Senke, and William Moll are tied for fourth place at 10 under.
The Sunnehanna Amateur, the first of seven events for men that make up the Elite Amateur Series, is held at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island. Next up is the Northeast Amateur, which will be held from June 19-24 in Rumford at Wannamoisett Country Club.
