Dave Mcgovern's 71 Leads Three Including Jake Mayer, 18, At State Open
Dave McGovern, the 45-year-old head professional from Brooklake Country Club, was the only player to crack par – and he did it by one stroke – in the opening round of the 97th New Jersey State Golf Association Open Championship at the 7,094-yard, par-72 Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson.
McGovern’s 71 got him the lead by a single stroke over 18-year-old amateur Jake Meyer of Plainfield, who is playing in his first State Open, and fellow professionals Brett Jones of Due Process Stable and Grant sturgeon of Arcola.
Pro Travis Deibert of the Ridge at Back Brook was fifth with a 73.
The field of 109 players endured a one-hour weather delay which occurred at 4:28 p.m. After Wednesday’s round, the field will be pared to the low 50 scores plus ties. On Thursday, the final 18 holes will be played.
The story of the day belonged to Mayer, who had only played two practice rounds at formidable Metedeconk National, yet he nearly tied for the lead, missing a six-foot birdie putt on his next-to-last hole. Just two years ago, Mayer, who will be a freshman on the Princeton University golf team this fall, won the NJSGA Junior Championship, and he will try to win the Junior again in two weeks at Watching Valley Golf Club.
“I’m just amazed I’m only one shot out of the lead,” said Mayer, a resident of Scotch Plains who recently graduated from Pingry School in Basking Ridge.
“This course is all about ball striking. If you get off the tee, you can hit it to the middle of the green, and then have an opportunity to make putts. The greens were rolling true,” said the left-handed Mayer, who last summer won the prestigious Middlemark Invitational at Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.
Mayer carded three birdies and three birdies.
“I was hitting my irons really good and putting well. I have to get off the tee better. I’m getting more confidence. I found something at the end. Tomorrow, I’m just going to play like it’s a new round,” Mayer said.
In 2015, McGovern, brother of former PGA Tour pro Jim McGovern, now of White Beeches, was runner-up by one stroke to Brent Studer, Metedeconk pro, in the New Jersey PGA Section Championship.
“I played solid. I didn’t get in much trouble. That’s the key around here,” said McGovern, 45, who carded three birdies and two bogeys.
“The trouble is everywhere. If you can keep it in play and make a few putts, you’ll be alright. I hit a lot of fairways and hope to do that tomorrow,” he said.
Jones , 41,won the State Open in 2009 at Rock Spring Club in West Orange in dominating fashion. Jones had three birdies and three bogeys for his even-par round.
“I love this course. I’d like to see them move the tee all the way back. I didn’t hit that many drivers today. I hit a lot of hybrids and three woods. Other than two bad shots, I played well. I hope to make a bunch of birdies and get in the mix for Thursday,” Jones, a native Australian, said.
Sturgeon, 39, who worked at Winged Foot, is the new head pro at Arcola beginning in 2017. He had an eagle, two birdies and four bogeys.
“I didn’t do anything great. I didn’t do anything bad. I was putting solid and I stayed out of trouble. It’s just a hard golf course,” Sturgeon noted.
