Costanza, Lu and Gotterup Garner NJSGA Players of the Year Honors
Pictured (L-R): Mark Costanza, Katherine Lu, Morten Gotterup
KENILWORTH, N.J. – The competitive golf season has come to a close in New Jersey and 2022 New Jersey State Golf Association postseason awards have been announced. Three talented competitors in Mark Costanza (Men's Player of the Year), Katherine Lu (Women's Player of the Year) and Morten Gotterup (Senior Player of the Year) claimed the three awards.
Mark Costanza was tabbed Robert Housen Men’s Player of the Year award after putting together yet another outstanding golf season. Finishing as low amateur in the 102nd Open Championship, Costanza also made another run in the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur championship, punching a ticket into the Round of 16 of match play a year after finishing as a finalist. He also put together a pair of top-5 finishes in MGA events including the MGA Open and Amateur. The honor marks the second time earning NJSGA Player of the Year.
“It means a lot,” said of the accolade. “New Jersey is my home. This is where I was born and raised and where I am going to be for the future and hope to raise a family here. There’s a special place in my heart for New Jersey and the NJSGA and I’m really proud to have won this award, twice now. I look forward to continually playing in the events, the awesome events that the NJSGA puts on.”
Katherine Lu earned Women’s Player of the Year honors after capturing the 97th New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship. In the opening round of stroke play, Lu carded a 1-over par 72 but followed up with a 4-under par 67 in the second round, securing medalist honors. Lu went on to overwhelm her opponents in match play. Her championship match against Sydney Kuo went the distance and after a hard-fought, 18-hole match, Lu hoisted the Women’s Amateur Championship trophy.
“It feels good just because I know there are so many other great golfers that have been named Player of the Year under the NJSGA,” Lu commented. “This association just has a lot of history, so to have my name, to be paired with Player of the Year means a lot.”
Morten Gotterup, 55, captured the Senior Player of the Year after a solid summer competing in the Garden State. His 2022 campaign was highlighted by claiming the 64th Senior Amateur Championship at Navesink Country Club.
“The Senior Am was, at a place I know and had zero expectations and I was happy to be there, to be honest. It's interesting when that happens when you just kind of, remove any expectations and just enjoy yourself. Sometimes the best results come that way,” reflected Gotterup.
A 2020 New Jersey Four-Ball Champion, Gotterup and Chuck Anttonen sought a repeat in this year's championship, ultimately reaching the quarterfinals at Deal Golf & Country Club. In July, Gotterup, alongside Christopher Housen finished as runner-up in the 27th Senior Four-Ball Championship at Little Mill Country Club.
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