Why Chris Shackleton has the potential to break into the PGA one
day
He didn’t start playing golf until he was a freshman in high
school. Today, he plays like a pro.
On Tuesday, San Benito High’s No. 1 golfer Chris Shackleton
barely missed qualifying for the prestigious Nor Cal high school
tournament by two strokes after firing his second consecutive 72 in
the Central Coast Section tournament held at Rancho Canada West in
Carmel Valley.
Why Chris Shackleton has the potential to break into the PGA one day
He didn’t start playing golf until he was a freshman in high school. Today, he plays like a pro.
On Tuesday, San Benito High’s No. 1 golfer Chris Shackleton barely missed qualifying for the prestigious Nor Cal high school tournament by two strokes after firing his second consecutive 72 in the Central Coast Section tournament held at Rancho Canada West in Carmel Valley.
“I three putted twice,” said Shackleton, who was the only TCAL player to advance to the CCS finals. “I could have played better, but the score came out alright. I had to get out of a lot of stuff. But I’m happy with it. There were a lot of good players there.”
To qualify for the Nor Cals, Shackleton would have had to shoot a 70 or lower in the CCS finals, which he could have done, according to his coach.
“It’s great what he did. To go out there and shoot 72 in the first round and then again in the finals shows what a consistent good golfer he is,” said Baler coach Andy Parra. “I think we were both expecting something a little lower. I’m proud of his 72, but I would like to have seen him move on, he really deserved too.”
Pacific Grove’s Andrey Mindirgasov, who carded a 7-under 65 on the demanding layout, captured the CCS tournament.
In the 9-hole league matches this season, Shackleton had been shooting scores that hovered in the even-par range. His lowest score to date is a 69 at Eagle Ridge in Gilroy.
“In my opinion he was the best golfer in the TCALs,” said Parra of his back-to-back All-League player.
Shackleton first learned to play the sport with his younger brother Jonathan and his dad Paul. The three would often play together at Bolado Park. By the time Shackleton was a sophomore, he took a job at Ridgemark Golf Course where he worked as a golf cart attendant in order to play the course for free and hone his skills on the more challenging layout.
“The pros out at Ridgemark, Mitch Thomas and Chris Branon, have really helped him out,” said Parra, who also holds a six handicap. “They always go out of their way to help all of the kids.”
As a result of that guidance and enhanced skill level, Shackleton is hoping to be able to “walk on” and earn a spot on the San Diego State golf team next fall.
After college, he would love to play professionally.
“He’s got the all-around game to do it,” said Parra. “He’s long off the tee, accurate with his irons. And if he misses the green, he can get up and down for par. He is going to be impossible for us to replace next year. But we are a young team with a lot of talent. We should be real good the next few years.”
Shackleton will always remember his high school years.
“It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed playing with everyone it was a good experience.”
