Gotterup, Anttonen set to defend Four-Ball title at Galloway National

May 15, 2021 - It is the perfect equation for the ideal championship: top players plus a world-class golf course, as the New Jersey State Golf Association’s premier team event, the 89th Four-Ball Championship, is set to begin at Galloway National Golf Club next week Tuesday, May 18. A record number of entries were filed for this year’s competition, and the field is the strongest in recent memory. It will be a bona-fide test for all teams – highlighted by the defending champions, Chuck Anttonen and Morten Gotterup of Rumson Country Club.

Anttonen and Gotterup won last year’s title at Manasquan River. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the restructuring of the NJSGA’s schedule last year, the Four-Ball Championship was the final event of the year – this year, it will be the first. The defending titlists are looking forward to it.

“It was great to win my first state event with Morten. He and I have been friends and playing partners for a long time, so it was nice to share this win together. While I haven’t played Galloway National, I've heard all good things about it and I’m looking forward to playing there under tournament conditions,” stated Anttonen.

Gotterup expanded on last October’s experience. “Winning this event with a friend, and fellow Rumson member was very special and meaningful. In terms of approach, we try to stay loose. Chuck and I just like to compete… it’s not about how we are playing – or not playing – we enjoy the competition.”

Designed by Tom Fazio, Galloway National Golf Club is truly unforgettable. Built along Reeds Bay, it boasts 5,000 feet of water frontage offering outstanding views of the Atlantic City skyline and Brigantine Island. It is also noted for its dramatic contours as well as its lush, heavily wooded sequence of holes located away from the water.

“The course is a mixture of shore and pines. There are six holes along the bay, but much of the course is inland. It is serene, quiet and peaceful. You rarely see another hole than the one you are playing,” said Jason Lamp, the club’s General Manager and Director of Golf. “First time visitors often say it is more spectacular than they were led to believe,” Lamp continued.

The golf course, which opened in 1995, measures over 7,100 yards from the championship tees. Similar to many shore area golf courses, the wind is always a factor. Depending on direction and speed, the golf course can play dramatically different from one day to another, and on the same day, can change significantly from the morning to the afternoon. The test comes not only from the design, but also from the elements.

The opening hole, an uphill, par-4, 400-yard dogleg right, features a long, narrow green which slopes from back to front and a large bunker right of the green. Next is the dramatic 146-yard, par-3. Golfers need to aim right and play the wind that comes off the bay, while also avoiding sand to the left of the green.

At only 375 yards, No. 3, which heads back inland, has a character all its own. It is the highest in scoring average of any of the par fours.

Golfers should be cautious with the two other par-3 holes on the front, the 189-yard No. 5 and the 196-yard No. 8. The fifth plays over sand and a marsh – usually into a stiff, southerly breeze. No. 8 features water along the left side, and depending on the hole location, often demands an accurate tee shot over the water.

The back nine starts with the long 475-yard, par-4, No. 10. Beginning with the 501-yard, par-5, 11th hole, golfers cross Route 9, which bisects the course. No. 11 is considered by many as one of the best par-5 holes in the state. Aggressive, longer hitters can choose to play over the pond on their second shot for a chance at eagle.

“The key to succeeding here is really managing your game until you come to Holes 13 through 18, which is really a difficult stretch. The team that wins the championship will have played these holes well,” Lamp noted.

“The final six holes on the back nine can be a brutal stretch. If you play from the tips, No. 13, a par-4, plays at 470 yards; No. 14, a par 3, is 220 yards; No. 15, a par 4, is 448 yards; No. 16, a par 5, is 590 yards, No. 17, a par 3, is 240 yards, and No. 18, a par 4, is 470 yards. It’s a tremendous test,” he stated.

Of those holes, the 16th offers a challenge with water on the left for the tee shot and second shots. Hole 17, a long par-3, offers one of the magnificent golf vistas in the entire state; the Atlantic City skyline rises from across the bay, beyond the hole. The distinctive 18th, a stern par-4, features the bay on the right as the hole works its way back to the clubhouse with heavy bunkering around the finishing green.

The field of players in the 89th Four-Ball Championship is arguably the strongest in recent memory. In addition to the defending Rumson Country Club tandem of Anttonen and Gotterup, the 2019 champions, Kevin Campana and Ryan MacDonald, are in the field looking to etch their names on the perpetual Ridgewood Country Club championship trophy once again. Last year’s runners-up, brothers Brian and Steven Zychowski are also in the field, as well as both semifinalist teams from 2020 – Christopher Housen and Michael Stamberger, plus the duo of John Meyers and Brett Sinofsky.

There are four players in the competition who previously won the NJSGA Four-Ball title with a different partner. Brendan Hansen (who won 2018 with Randall Lazzaro) teams with Noah Conforti; Michael DiMeglio (2011 champion with Anthony Aloi) is teamed with Brandon Capone; Brian Komline, who has won twice before (2010 with Michael Deo and 2008 with Niall Handley), partners with Michael Boslet; and Gregg Angelillo (2007 with Michael Deo) sides with Brandon Dalinka. All four look to add their name one more time to the list of champions, this time with a new teammate.

Play in the 89th Four-Ball Championship begins on Tuesday morning, May 18, with 18-holes of stroke play qualifying. The low 16 teams will advance to match play on Wednesday and Thursday, May 19-20. The final match is slated for Thursday afternoon (May 20).

Be sure to follow live scoring at NJSGA.org, and stay tuned to the NJSGA’s social media platforms for updates, news, and player interviews throughout the championship.