Crestmont welcomes 36th Mid-Amateur Championship; Randolph seeks 5th Title

Trevor Randolph of Arcola, winner of an unprecedented four NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championships, has his own formula for winning.

“Every time I‘ve won the Mid-Am, I’ve hit it well and avoided big numbers. To me, it’s two tournaments. The first is getting through the qualifier, and then in match play it’s a whole different type of strategy,” said Randolph. The Arcola member, who claimed the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy in 2013, 2014, 2016 and last year at Bedens Brook is part of the field of 68 set to compete in stroke play qualifying on Tuesday, June 4, for the 36th NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Donald Ross-designed Crestmont Country Club in West Orange. 

The top 16 in in the stroke play portion advance to match play, which begins with the Round of 16 and quarterfinals on Wednesday followed by the semifinals and final on Thursday.  The event is for golfers ages 25 and above.

 “I think my game is in pretty good shape and I’m looking forward to the tournament.  My competitive drive is as strong as ever, despite other obligations and my three kids all getting older,” said the 46 year old Randolph.

This spring, Randolph has found time to take part in three competitive events. Besides the New York City Am, he was 17th in the Coleman Invitational at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla. At the Mittelmark Invitational at Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y., he finished fourth after his second-round 66, the low score of the day by three shots in a field that included many of the area’s top players.

“The NJSGA Mid-Am is a tournament I look forward to every year. I commit to it and make room for it on my schedule,” said Randolph. “It’s good to see some guys haven’t seen in a while. I‘m looking forward to it.” 

As usual, the Mid-Amateur Championship boasts a highly skilled field, consisting of multiple past champions plus those with stellar playing records. Michael Deo (2007), Michael Stamberger (2008), Brian Komline (2012) join Randolph as past Mid-Amateur Champions. Michael Brown of Darlington (last year’s runner-up to Randolph) won the 2018 Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Patterson Cup and looks to claim his first NJSGA title.

Vince Kwon (NJSGA EClub – South) and Troy Vannucci (Little Mill) are also two contenders to watch. The duo recently returned from Bandon Dunes in Oregon, where they teamed to advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Four-Ball Championship.

Both qualifying medalists, James Arbes of Shackamaxon and Tom Guy of Eligo Club, are also expected to contend after their strong showings in May. At Brooklake on May 23, Arbes paced the field with a two-under par 70, including four birdies and one eagle. Guy, the medalist at Copper Hill on May 15, fired a four-under par 68, where following a bogey-bogey start, the former British PGA member shot a six-under par the rest of the way.

Designed by Donald Ross in 1923, Crestmont is known for its challenging green complexes and elevation changes – both of which place a premium on the short game. The club has hosted numerous NJSGA major championships, most recently the 2014 Four-Ball Championship won by club members Jim Rosenthal and Max Greyserman, who plays on the Web.com Tour.

In addition, the club has played host to the NJSGA Open on five occasions: 1931 (won by Johnny Kinder), 1936 (Johnny Farrell), 1945 (Frank Kringle), 1997 (Chris Dachisen) and 2004 (Ed Whitman); the club also hosted the 1930 Men’s Amateur Championship (won by F. Paul Anderson) and the 2012 NJSGA Women’s Amateur, won by Alexandra Hershberger.

Live scoring and full coverage of the championship will be available at the NJSGA web site: www.njsga.org, and also across the NJSGA’s social media platforms.