Asselta Captures 103rd W.Y. Dear Junior Championship
WASHINGTON, N.J. - Michael Asselta emerged victorious in the 103rd W.Y. Dear Junior Championship at Hawk Pointe Golf Club on Wednesday. Asselta, 16, defeated Jake Morgan 5 and 3 to take home the title.
With the win, Asselta joins an impressive list of players to win the W.Y. Dear Junior Championship, battling the rainy weather throughout the final day to do so.
“It’s awesome. To be a part of history is always amazing. It’s really great,” said Asselta. “I actually love playing in the rain, so I was a little happy when it started to come down a little bit.”
In the final match, Asselta came out of the gate strong with a birdie on the par-five first hole. Morgan would answer back with a birdie of his own on the third hole to tie the match through three holes.
However, Asselta caught fire rattling off wins on six consecutive holes to take a 6-up lead heading to the back nine. Asselta carded birdies on holes six and eight to help build his lead.
“I was just trying to stay calm and confident just knowing that I have the game to compete and put a few winning holes together,” said Asselta. “Playing confident is big for me so when I’m playing confident, I can go on some big runs.”
Morgan remained resilient, capitalizing on two errant Asselta tee shots to take each of the first two holes on the back nine and shrink Asselta’s lead to four. The duo tied each of the next three holes before Asselta took the match 5 and 3 on the par-five 15th with a birdie.
On day one of stroke play, Asselta snuck into the bracket with a five-under par, 31 on the back nine to make match play by one stroke.
“It feels amazing. I was just riding that wave of momentum and it paid off,” said Asselta.
Asselta shared a hug with his dad on the final hole crediting his support in the win.
“He’s been there for me all the way up until this point and has been my biggest supporter at all times,” said Asselta. “For him to be here and watch me win is just amazing.”
In the morning semifinal round, Morgan made his first career hole-in-one on the 164-yard fourth hole on his way to victory.
Final Results
Michael Asselta, Ramsey Golf & Country Club d. Jake Morgan, Deer Run Golf & Tennis Club, 5 and 3
Semifinal Results
Michael Asselta, Ramsey Golf & Country Club d. Ethan Gallagher, Basking Ridge Country Club, 3 and 2
Jake Morgan, Deer Run Golf & Tennis Club. d. Jack Puma, Navesink Country Club, 2 and 1
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