Schachner, Jacobson give qualifier a local feel
It was the Libertyville golfer versus the Libertyville golf course architect at the recent local U.S. Open qualifier at the Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis.
Former Libertyville High School standout Michael Schachner, now a professional golfer, shot a 2-under par 70 to lead the field at Strawberry Creek, a course designed by Libertyville-based golf course architect Rick Jacobson.
Four other players, all pros from Wisconsin, took their first step toward qualifying for the U.S. Open outside New York City.
"I really liked the course; it's fun to play," said the 23-year-old Schachner, who followed up his effort at Strawberry Creek by playing in the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship outside Dallas on a sponsor exemption and shooting 77-74. "Everyone really enjoyed it. If the wind is right, the par 5s are reachable, the two short par 4s are drivable, and the par 3s are all good holes. The course was in great shape, too."
He birdied the 17th and 18th holes to separate himself from the field. Jacobson designed the course for developers Barry Shiffman of Lincolnshire, retired Chicago Bear Jay Hilgenberg of Lake Forest and their partners.
Schachner and his fellow qualifiers moved on to the sectional qualifierat Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake this week. Kyle Peterman, 21, an incoming senior at Western Illinois, won the 36-hole event in a three-player, sudden-death playoff Tuesday morning to earn a berth in next week's U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.
Schachner carded a 75 and an 83 Monday, as players battled gusty winds and wet conditions after a pair of afternoon storms.
Jacobson has known Schachner and his family for years. Jacobson's son, Ryan, played golf with Schachner on the Libertyville High School team.
"It was great to see Michael be the medalist (winner) at Strawberry Creek," Jacobson said. "He is an exceptional young man and an excellent player."
Since graduating fro Duke last year and turning pro last summer, Schachner has been playing tournament golf for a living. A typical week consists of Monday qualifying rounds for PGA Tour-sanctioned event. If he doesn't qualify, he goes on to compete in a so-called "mini-tour" event. The mini-tours are golf's minor leagues, where the purses are small and the competition fierce.
Big name players such as John Daly, Zach Johnson, and many more have cut their teeth on the mini-tour circuit before making it big on the PGA Tour.
Schachner graduated from Duke with a degree in sociology, markets and management studies, but his plan is to stick with tournament golf.
"This is what I'm going to do with my life," Schachner said. "I know a lot of guys out there now that I know aren't any better than I am. My putting and chipping are just as good. I need to be a little more consistent in my long game. I'm not that far off."
Schachner said his buddies from Duke have gone on to the corporate world, law school, the family business, or graduate school. Though his earnings to date are no match for big time corporate paychecks, he wouldn't switch places with any of them.
"I'm going to make it," Schachner said.
Jacobson and many others in Libertyville will be cheering him on.