Sports
Childhood Relationship Becomes Important Tie in Skinner's Pro Career
Kopsick proves to be good sounding board at U.S. Senior Open.
Between a few lessons and summer play at Deerpath Golf Course, Curtis Skinner developed enough of a game to make Lake Forest High School’s golf team.
That would prove to be a fortuitous opportunity.
In his senior year, Skinner was part of Scout’s fifth place at the Illinois State Meet. Also on that team was Richard Kopsick of Lake Bluff.
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Skinner and Kopsick have been friends since fourth grade at and regular golf partners on Saturday mornings for 18 years at the Lake Bluff Golf Club.
When Skinner decided to become a tournament player, Kopsick, a five handicap himself, became his caddy.
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“He’s always chipping and putting,” Kopsick said of Skinner. “He practices very hard.”
When Skinner and Kopsick arrived at the U.S. Senior Open in Toledo for his practice rounds on July 26-27, Skinner was continually hitting the ball over the green.
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The duo put their heads together to solve the problem.
“We don’t take ourselves seriously but we take golf seriously,” Kopsick said. “We started looking at the (course) map. I realized we had to take the distance to the front of the green.”
After a first-hole bogey, Skinner put his second shot on the next hole over the green.
“He got a up and down to save par,” Kopsick said, describing the short game Skinner has spent so much time honing in practice.
After another par, Skinner approached the fourth tee and the hole that would prove to be biggest of the tournament for him.
“It was a short par five,” Skinner said. “I hit a good drive and nailed a six-iron (to the green). I sank a 25- to 30-foot putt (for an eagle) and everyone got excited.”
The eagle helped him shoot an opening round 71. He fell a stroke shy of making the cut, but carded the second highest score recorded by an amateur — 145 for 36 holes.
When Skinner spoke of everyone, he was talking about a personal gallery of 15 people who traveled to Toledo from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff to support him. The group included his wife, Kari, another alum, and children Peter and Paige, as well as the members of his regular Saturday game.
