Bob Housen, Special Invitee, Leads 48 Exempt Players Into 92nd State Open

Bob Housen, winner of six New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur championships, has been named a “Special Invitee” by the NJSGA Board of Trustees and is among 48 exempt players who will participate in the 92ndState Open at the Manasquan River Golf Club in Brielle, July 9-12.

Former champions Brian Gaffney of Rumson (2010) and Mark McCormick of Suburban (2008), who both played last week in the U.S. Open at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, are also exempt.

Housen is a former captain and record 24-time member of the NJSGA Compher Cup, a seven-time winner of the State Pre-Senior and two –time champion of the State Senior opens.

He also has won Father & Son championships with both his father, Donald (four times) and his son Chris (once).

Housen is also a two-time Met Senior amateur champion and last year won the Legends Division (70-plus) of the Met Senior Amateur. In 2010, he won the Super Seniors Division of the State Senior Amateur.

“We are honoring Bob Housen for his special contributions to golf in the State of New Jersey,” said NJSGA President Thomas McGovern. “It’s a tribute to him for all he has achieved and for having served us as captain of various NJSGA teams. It is great to have him in the field at his home course.”

In all, 13 former champions will be present when the 54-hole State Open tees off on Tuesday, July 10.

Besides Gaffney and McCormick, other former champions include a pair of four-time winners in David Glenz of Black Oak (’84, ’86, ’88, ’90) and Ed Whitman of Knickerbocker (’91, ’95, ’96, ’04), who last week won the NJPGA Charity Clambake at Rockaway River.

Two-time champion Brian Komline of Black Oak (’05, ’07), who won his first State Mid-Amateur in May to become the first to win all four state majors, is also in the field.

One-time champions include Chris Dachisen of North Jersey (’01), John DiMarco of Laurel Creek (’00), Frank Esposito Jr. of Brooklake (’99), Greg Farrow of Deerwood (’03), Brett Jones of Trump National-Bedminster (’09), Baker Maddera of Rock Spring (’02), Gary Ostrega of Hyatt Hills and Steve Sieg of Navesink (’89).