Arkansas State’s Stirn set for final college season after U.S. Amateur appearance
JONESBORO, Ark. (BVM) — Arkansas State University men’s golf was once again represented in one of the biggest amateur tournaments the game has to offer.
Senior Zan Luka Stirn qualified for the 120th U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. With 88 pairings of three, the tournament began last month with 18-hole stroke play competition. After stroke play, 64 golfers would advance to the next round. Unfortunately for Stirn, he would miss the cut, finishing 17 over par.
“Going into the U.S. Amateur, I was very excited to play,” Stirn said. “Being there was a great experience. Bandon Dunes is an awesome venue, but it’s right on the coast, and overall it proved to be very challenging.”
It was the second straight year that a member of the Arkansas State golf team has competed in this tournament. Juline Sale, currently ranked No. 81 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), reached the round of 32 last year. He would have competed in the event this year, but COVID-19 travel restrictions made it impossible for him to get to Oregon.
For golfers like Stirn, playing in this event is an extraordinary opportunity. If you win, your name will be next to some of the greatest names in the sport — golfers like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Also, the U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up qualify to play in the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open.
But before Stirn could even participate in the tournament, the 2019-2020 collegiate season was cut short due to COVID-19. Because of the pandemic, Stirn has been given another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Stirn, who has played in 40 career tournaments with the Red Wolves, is currently ranked No. 95 in the WAGR. With a career scoring average of 72.71. He has five career wins, including the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate this past season. He also has 14 top-five finishes.
Congratulations to Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate individual co-champions Zan Luka Stirn (@AStateMGolf) and Benedikt Thalmayr (@JSU_MGolf)!#WolvesUp pic.twitter.com/zo8rPG9LPj
— Arkansas State Red Wolves Athletics (@AStateRedWolves) April 2, 2019
With the 2020 U.S. Amateur behind him, Stirn is set on making his final season a memorable one.
“We have the best team Arkansas State has ever had,” Stirn said. “We all got to do our thing, but I think we have a legitimate chance of winning the national championship.”
The 2020-2021 season is set to tee off on Oct. 12 with the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate at the Ridgepointe Country Club.
🚨 SCHEDULE ALERT 🚨
We're scheduled to play two events this fall!
📆 Oct. 12-13 Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate (RidgePointe CC)
📆 Oct. 19-20 Little Rock Invitational (Chenal CC) #WolvesUp pic.twitter.com/uzo0lVQ5iv— Arkansas State Golf (@AStateMGolf) September 15, 2020
“We are one of the few conferences which is still going to give it a try,” Stirn said. “We are all hoping we play and that we make it happen.”
If all goes well, Arkansas State will look to recapture the Sun Belt Conference title which they won for the first time in program history in 2019.
