Farmington, NM — Western New Mexico’s all time best golfer is getting better. The 22-year-old 2016 graduate crushed the field in the San Juan Open en route to a $10,400 payday after posting rounds of 66-67-65-65–265 (21 under par) and a nine-shot victory over Steven Kupcho. There were 59 pros in the event, as well as numerous sponsors that have seen young players take the road to the PGA Tour via Farmington. Last year’s champ, Colorado School of Mines former top player Jim Knous, who is now on the Web.com tour, the tour just below the PGA Tour.
The San Juan is the top prize in New Mexico for professionals, but more importantly, its a terrific place to network and meet people that can help young pros like Hill get to the next level of competition, PGA Tour Qualifying School. Fellow Scot Martin Laird won the San Juan as a young player and is a PGA Tour winner these days.
“I was 5 under on the par fives, so that helps a lot,” said Hill after the round. “But i missed two 2-footers, so that was bad … all in all i played the same as the other days and tried to keep the golf course in front of me. I just played quite well,” said Hill.
Currently the Mustangs’ Assistant Golf Coach, Hill is currently entering his final year of an MBA program at Western after breaking virtually of the school records as an undergraduate. Of course, success in this Fall’s grueling three-stage PGA Tour school could put all of that on hold. He just needs the right opportunities to make that dream a reality.Hill is scheduled for the Sun Country Pro-Pro Championship with another former Mustang, Eric Chavez. The two-day event is Monday and Tuesday in Albuquerque at Sandia Golf Club. The two WNMU grads should be among the favorites to win.