Jake Katz will take part in the 53rd Annual Porter Cup this week. Katz played in the final group last year and finished T10. Katz was kind enough to answer a few questions about last year, this year and his game in general.
BuffaloGolfer: You had an impressive run at last year’s Porter Cup. A year later, what are you favorite memories from that week?
JK: My favorite memories from the week included holing out on 14 in the final round and everyone who was watching went nuts and it was very cool. Also, all the support from everyone in theWestern New York area; everywhere I went that week people were rooting me on and hoping that I won. On the last day of the tournament, on my way to the golf course, Star 102.5 (local radio station) gave me a shout out and played a song for me just as I was pulling into NFCC.
BuffaloGolfer: I personally watched your eagle on the back 9 that day. Talk about that shot.
JK: After just birdying 13, I felt I had a little momentum and knew I needed to make a bunch of birdies coming in. I had a great yardage to the hole at 109 yards a little downhill. The shot was a little down hill, so it was a full lob wedge, when I hit it I knew it was going to be close and when I saw one person on the left put his arms up and then everyone started clapping…I knew it went in. It was a great feeling and I went through the crowd giving them high fives.
BuffaloGolfer: What are your favorite holes to play at Niagara Falls CC?
JK: I really enjoy playing 13, the par five, and 18, the par 3.
BuffaloGolfer: What are your expectations for yourself at this year’s Porter Cup?
JK: I hope to play well and give myself a chance come Saturday. There is a little more pressure for me to play well this year especially after how well I did last year. But, I don’t want to get caught up in the hoopla. I just want to play my game and have a fun week.
BuffaloGolfer: What parts of your game are you most confident with heading in to the Porter Cup?
JK: My driving has been very good the last few weeks and my wedge game is also improving. But, overall, I am comfortable where all aspects of my game are heading into this week’s Porter Cup.
BuffaloGolfer: What other tournaments/events have you played in this summer?
JK: I have played in three big national events – the Sunnehanna Amateur, Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur – and I finished in the middle of the pack in all three. I also recently won the Buffalo District Match Play championship and just last week I finished 2nd in the New York State Amateur Championship at Oak Hill.
BuffaloGolfer: Finally, what’s one question nobody’s ever asked you that you’d ask yourself about golf/life? How would you answer it?
JK: I would ask myself, what is the best part of playing tournament golf?
My answer…having the adrenaline going and feeling that little knot in my stomach when the tournament is coming down to the wire and having to play through it. I enjoy the pressure and I want to have that 10-footer to win.
