DeJohn, Sellers Share Early Lead at 122nd New Jersey Amateur Championship Presented by Provident Bank
(L-R): Chris DeJohn of Arcola Country Club and Rhett Sellers of Fiddlers Elbow Country Club
BRIELLE, N.J. - Chris DeJohn of Arcola Country Club and Rhett Sellers, an incoming senior at Rutgers University share the lead after 18 holes in the 122nd New Jersey Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank. The duo each shot a 4-under par 68 at Manasquan River Golf Club, which played 6,885-yards on Monday.
Manasquan River Golf Club proved to be a challenging test for the field of 98 on Monday as the average score for the day was 77.9.
“It's playing great. Rough is definitely up, it’s pretty penal, which is nice to see,” DeJohn mentioned. “They definitely set it up for a major championship. Greens are rolling really well and I think overall, the course was in fantastic shape.”
For DeJohn, 36, this is the second straight year where he’s owned a lead at the Amateur Championship. Competing without a practice round under his belt, DeJohn’s round was highlighted by four birdies on the back nine.
In the 2021 Amateur, DeJohn shared the lead heading into the final round.
"I'm 36, I'm a Mid-Am. I kind of just show up and hit the golf ball and hope for the best,” DeJohn joked. "I haven’t played a practice round for any event all year. I kind of go out and try to hit the fairways, hit the greens and make some putts and keep it simple.”
Sellers, who’s making his first appearance in a New Jersey Amateur started out with a blemish-free front-nine. On the back-nine, highlighted by an eagle on No. 14, Sellers shot a 2-under par 34 to match his front-nine. It was his first time seeing the golf course.
“I didn't even know that there was a drivable hole until we got there,” Sellers recalled of his eagle. “I was like, wow this looks really short. I got up there and shot 295 to the flag, down wind. I'll hit driver because I didn't want to just hit like a six or seven off the tee but I had driver who was right on line from the moment I hit it and it landed probably 10 feet past and released like 30 feet and then I just made it.”
Two-time champion (2013, 2014) and local competitor Michael Stamberger finished at 3-under par alongside 2023 Big East individual Champion Jack Simon and 2021 New Jersey Amateur Champion, Michael Brown.
Featured Group
The NJSGA will follow each shot of this 'Featured' groups on Instagram Live as they play No. 1 and No. 10 in their second round of the 2023 New Jersey Amateur Championship. Pat Wilson, Jack Wall and Will Celiberti will be featured in Round 2 at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Spectators who wish to attend must walk. Use of carts will not be permitted.
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