ORWIGSBURG — It’s been a big year on the links in 2014 for Jim Rattigan.
The 36-year-old Deer Lake resident would like nothing more than to cap it with another trophy.
Rattigan enters this weekend’s 53rd annual Schuylkill County Amateur Golf Medal-Play Championship as the defending champion and favorite to win his sixth overall title.
Rattigan, the general manager of Schuylkill Country Club, won his fifth county match-play championship in July, and was honored earlier in the year by Golfdom Magazine as its Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year.
He’ll lead a field of 56 golfers into the two-day medal-play event, which begins Saturday morning at the par-72 Hidden Valley Golf Course near Friedensburg.
“To win it again, that would be quite an achievement,” Rattigan said. “There are so many good guys that are playing, and so many things can happen on that course.
“That’s why Hidden Valley is such a great course for this tournament. It’s such a risk and reward type of course, where you can get a lot of birdies, but then get bogeys. It’s the type of course where anybody can step up and get hot and make a charge.”
Rattigan has won medal-play — or stroke-play — championships in 2000, ’01, ’05, ’07 and ’13. Last year, he snapped Randy Kurzinsky’s three-year reign as county champion by defeating Jason Marks of Barnesville in a one-hole playoff.
Rattigan shot a 1-under 71 on Saturday and an even-par 72 on Sunday for a two-round total of 1-under 143. He said he’ll need to shoot something similar both days this weekend to retain his title.
“The goal is to be in contention on Sunday going into the back nine,” Rattigan said. “You can be 3-4 strokes back and still win it, or you can be 3-4 strokes up and have somebody catch you.
“You want to be in the mix at the end. Be conservative, then make a charge at the end.”
The winner of this year’s tournament will receive the Commissioner’s Cup, a new trophy donated by Schuylkill County Commissioners Frank Staudenmeier, George Halcovage and Gary Hess out of their own funds.
The winner will also have to navigate through the old Hidden Valley layout, as this year’s tournament will start at the old No. 1 (current No. 15) and end at the old No. 18 (current No. 9).
“That’s a great thing,” said Rattigan, who recalled his first county tournament, when Jeff Paul went eagle, birdie, birdie over the final three holes to win it.
“The old back nine as it’s set up, the way the holes finish, there are a lot of opportunities for things to happen. I’m excited to go back to the old way.”
The first two foursomes hit the course at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. After Saturday’s rounds, the field will be broken in Championship, A, B, C and D flights based on Saturday’s scores.
The lowest 12 scores, and any ties, will be placed in the Championship Flight. The other flights will most likely have 12 players each, also determined by Saturday’s scores.
Shooting a good score Saturday is imperative, Rattigan said, because you need to be in the Championship Flight to be able to win the overall title.
“You can’t win it Saturday, but you definitely can lose it,” said Rattigan, who will tee off at 8:06 a.m. Saturday. “Saturday is a day where you have to hit fairways, hit greens and don’t get in trouble.”
Rattigan is one of five former champions in this year’s field, as he’s joined by Sean Misstishin of Ashland (2008), Mike Muncy of Pottsville (1997, 1999), Mike Misstishin of Ashland (1996) and Ray Misstishen of Auburn (1981, 1987).
“I think the field is good. We have some new guys coming in there,” organizer Jim Kimmel said. “The field is strong.”
Here are the tee times for Saturday’s first round:
Hole No. 1
7:30 a.m. — Joe Welsh, Pottsville; Gary Hess, Pottsville; Bobby Hillibush, Mahanoy City; Ray Misstishen, Auburn
7:42 a.m. — Matt Moll, Pottsville; Hunter Mickatavage, Ashland; Mike Misstishin, Ashland; Frank Brennan, Ashland
7:54 a.m. — Jim Dudash, Ashland; Nick Brayford, Frackville; Bailey Sophy, Pottsville; Luke Morgan, Pine Grove
8:06 a.m. — Jim Rattigan, Deer Lake; Brad Woznisky, Pottsville; Phil Pishock, Orwigsburg; Mike Steffie, Auburn
8:18 a.m. — Jim Gustas, Pottsville; Ed Tarantelli, Ashland; Clair Rummel Jr., Saint Clair; Mark Knock, Auburn
8:30 a.m. — Steve Reiter, Pine Grove; James Lord, Saint Clair; Jeff Chernes, Port Carbon; Ray Miske III, Schuylkill Haven
8:42 a.m. — Mike Barnes, Hegins; Gary Metza, Schuylkill Haven; Ryan Laudeman, Orwigsburg; Anthony Mehling, Pottsville
Hole No. 10
7:30 a.m. — Jared Sabitsky, Schuylkill Haven; Kyle Corinchock, Schuylkill Haven; Linford Mutter, Orwigsburg; Dan Woznisky Sr., Pottsville
7:42 a.m. — James Bromwell, Schuylkill Haven; Matt Austerberry, Pottsville; Steve Rice, Orwigsburg; Anthony Petrole, Lavelle
7:54 a.m. — Jim Gross, Pottsville; Kyle Forester, Orwigsburg; Dan Woznisky Jr., Pottsville; Cody Yackenchick, Schuylkill Haven
8:06 a.m. — Eric Schneck, Pine Grove; Nate Yosty, Schuylkill Haven; Michael DeColli, Pottsville; Mark Bixler, Schuylkill Haven
8:18 a.m. — Zig Kuczynski, Tamaqua; Jeff Albo, Port Carbon; Bill Kaczmarczyk, Barnesville; John Bashago, Tuscarora
8:30 a.m. — Chris Hartman, Pine Grove; Sean Misstishin, Ashland; Joe Orsulak, New Ringgold; Matt Huda, Pottsville
8:42 a.m. — Brent Jones, Orwigsburg; Mike Muncy, Pottsville; Jason Marks, Barnesville; Fred Krute, Schuylkill Haven