Baltusrol's Wentz leads the way in Mid-Am Qualifier at Metuchen
EDISON, NEW JERSEY - Stephen Wentz fired an even-par 72 to earn medalist honors, as 33 golfers qualified for the 38th NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship Tuesday at the par-72, 6,548 yard Metuchen Golf and Country Club in Edison. Those who scored 79 and better earned spots in the championship, which is scheduled for June 6-8 at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township.
Starting on the tenth tee, Wentz played his first nine holes at two-over par before rallying on his second nine. “The greens were running really nicely,” Wentz, who plays out of Baltusrol Golf Club, said after his round. “It's a really good golf course, and I was able to get the putter going on the back.”
Wentz’s round was buoyed by an eagle at the par-five, sixth hole. He took advantage of a well-positioned drive to reach the green in two shots. “I had 215 [yards] up the hill; it was a good 4-iron for me,” he said. “It landed short and ran right up there. I had about 30 feet back down the hill and I was able to get that one in.”
Ben Alcorn, who also plays out of Baltusrol, and Shackamaxon Country Club’s James Arbes shot a matching two-over-par 74 to finish tied for second. “I kept the ball in play, and I tried to putt defensively,” Alcorn said. “I tried to hit the greens in regulation and not get too aggressive.”
Hominy Hill Golf Course’s Jim Dufficy, Deal Golf and Country Club’s Anthony Campanile, and Francis Byrne Golf Course’s Thomas Sebastiano each shot three-over par to round out the top-six.
The field for the 38th Mid-Amateur Championship at Metedeconk National will include these 33 qualifiers, the 26 qualifiers from last week’s event at Peddie Golf Club, plus 13 players who were exempt from qualifying. The championship will feature an 18-hole stroke play qualifier on Tuesday, June 6 for 16 match play positions. Match play will be held on Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8.
Michael Brown of Rock Spring Golf Club is the defending champion, and he will look to retain the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy. Full coverage of the Mid-Amateur Championship will be available at NJSGA.org and across the NJSGA's social media platforms.
