Schools
Athlete of the Week: Jacob Stockl, Links Leader
Johnson golf standout Jacob Stockl captured first place in the Union County Tournament on May 5 at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield.
You could say that Jacob Stockl was born to golf. Only four years old when his mother took him for his first lesson at Oak Ridge Golf Course, he knew then that golf was going to be in his future. Stockl took first place Thursday, May 5, in the Union County Tournament with a three-over-par 75 at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. And get this – this was the third time Stockl has won the event in the past four years. (He took third place last year.) He also came in second in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions in 2010. Johnson placed sixth overall in the UCT.
A senior at ALJ, Stockl began golfing competitively at the age of eight, competing in US kid’s tournaments in the Pee Wee division. He won all three years (2009-2010) that he played for the NJ Junior Rider Cup Team. He says that the best tournament he has participated in was the US Junior Amateur Tournament in Egypt Valley, Michigan. Having played on golf courses all over the country, Stockl names Sycamore Hills in Indiana where he played for the PGA Junior championship as his favorite course. Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield is his favorite course in New Jersey.
"I chose Rutgers because it is a good school with a great practice facility and course and a great schedule." After earning his degree in business, Stockl says his ultimate goal is to play the PGA tour someday. He says, “I enjoy golf because I love the competition and how you have to strategize in every round.”
Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Coach Dan House says: "Each and every day, Jacob works on improving each individual part of his game. His work ethic is tremendous. He is on the course every single day and it has paid off. He is a unique individual who deserves everything he gets. It has been an absolute pleasure to coach him all four years."
Stats: Best score 65. Average score 72. Three-time 1st place winner UCT tournament, 2nd place NJ Tournament of Champions, 1st place NJ Junior PGA Championship, 1st Team All State, Junior PGA NJ Boys Player of the Year, New Jersey Junior PGA Champion
Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Siblings: Richie, a sophomore at ALJ
Pets: A black Labrador retriever named Carly.
Nickname: Tiger
Favorite subject: English
Favorite movie: Rocky
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan from Tony's
Favorite TV show: ESPN Sports Center
Favorite Clark hangout: Hyatt Hill Golf Course, naturally
Favorite team/athlete: NY Giants and golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson
Something no one knows about me: “I like to play the guitar.”
My biggest fans, biggest influence: “My parents.”
Song that pumps me up before a game: anything by A Day To Remember
Game philosophy: “I try to think positive and believe that I will play well that day.”
Coach always tells me: “You can do it!”
What I am doing well this season: “I have been more consistent and my putting has improved quite a bit.”
Favorite moment of the season: “Putting on the 18 for a birdie at the counties to seal the deal.”
During the off-season: “I practice as much as I can and work out. I practice putting in my living room to work on alignment.”
In ten years, I'll be: “Hopefully on the PGA Tour.”
Reflections on this season: “It has been a lot of fun and I am playing great!”
My teammates in three words: Caring, motivated and (always) improving.
My coach in three words: Tough, responsible and driven.
