Altoona Golfer Elliot Skinner Shines with Runner-Up Finish at State Championships

Altoona junior Elliot Skinner is making significant strides in his golfing career, as evidenced by his impressive performance at the boys state golf championships held on Tuesday at University Ridge in Madison. Skinner started strong, sharing the lead after the first round and ultimately securing a second-place finish overall.

On Monday, Skinner recorded a score of 71, putting him in a tie for the Division 2 lead alongside defending champion Vince Sigl from Seymour. He followed up with a 72 on Tuesday, finishing just four strokes behind Sigl, who clinched his second consecutive state title with a remarkable round of 68.

Reflecting on his experience, Skinner expressed satisfaction with his gameplay, stating, “It was a good tournament for me. I played solid. I was pretty happy with how I struck the ball and I felt like I made good decisions.” This year's result marks a significant improvement for Skinner, who finished sixth at the state competition last year.

Skinner attributes his development to a rigorous offseason training regimen, including lifting weights three times a week, which has increased his driving distance by 20 to 30 yards. Additionally, he has honed his iron play, making it more consistent. His father, Darrin Skinner, who serves as the director of men’s and women’s golf at UW-Eau Claire, has also been a crucial influence on his progress. “My dad’s done a lot for me,” Elliot noted. “He helps me a lot with swing work and putting and the mental game. He’s super valuable.”

As Elliot continues to impress, he has caught the attention of college coaches, with the possibility of playing for his father’s program at UW-Eau Claire. The 5-foot-7 golfer has developed a deep passion for the sport. “It is a really fun way to compete,” he remarked. “It is a challenging sport and it is rewarding to see the hard work pay off.”

Looking ahead, Skinner has a packed schedule of summer tournaments and remains focused on achieving his goal of winning a state title in his senior year. He expressed a desire to qualify for state alongside his teammates, saying, “I would like to make it to state as a team. We were close this year. It would be great to be able to do that.”