Greyserman To Defend NJSGA Amateur Championship At Montammy G.C.

Defending champion Max Greyserman of Crestmont leads a field of 99 contestants into the 115th New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur Championship to be played, June 7-9, at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine.

The 72-hole event includes a number of players coming off championships.

Other champions include Trevor Randolph of Arcola (2016 Mid-Amateur), Bill Charpek of Navesink (2015 Senior Amateur), Peter Kozubal of Fox Hollow (2015 Public Links), Nick Desai of Baltusrol (2015 Pre-Senior), Jake Mayer of Plainfield (2015 Junior), and Steve Zychowski of Mendham (2015 Tournament of Club Champions).

Former Amateur champions include two-time champion Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake (2013, ’14), Brian Komline of Black Oak (2010), the only golfer to win all five NJSGA majors, Tom Gramigna of Tavistock (2008), Mike Deo of Black Oak (2009) and Allan Small of Fairmount (2004).

Medalists from the three State Amateur qualifiers are Jim Dufficy of Hominy Hill (at Forest Hill) Bin Kwon of Little Mill (at Burlington), and Dylan Stein of Copper Hill (at Fiddler’s Elbow).

Greyserman, who just concluded his juniory ear at Duke University, overcame a six-shot deficit heading into the final 18 holes, and a three-shot deficit with six holes remaining in the 114th New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur Championship at the 6,448-yard, par-70 Morris County Golf Club in Morristown.

He shot 70-64 in the 36-hole final after earlier rounds of 69-74 for a 277 total, edging John Voetsch of Baltusrol (71-69-67-71-278). Steve Zychowski of Mendham was third at 284. The 277 total missed by one shot of the all-time Amateur record of 276 recorded in 2012 at Baltusrol by Ryan McCormick of Suburban.

The 64 was also an amateur course record at Morris County Golf Club. Greyserman's round included three putts of 25 feet or more, including a 40-footer on the par-4 fifth hole.

When Greyserman sank a 25-foot putt on the 18th hole, he took his first lead of the championship, by one shot over third-round leader Voetsch. Greyserman then waited patiently for Voetsch, playing two pairings behind, and was finally able to exhale when Voetsch missed a potential tying 10-foot birdie putt on 18 that would have forced a playoff.

Greyserman’s record 64 over the final 18 holes included an amazing nine birdies against three bogeys. His was the first 64 ever recorded in State Amateur competition (since stroke-play began in the event in 1971). The six-under 64 was third at that number in the event, and the only one posted in the final round.

Greyserman, 21, is the first to hold both the Open and Amateur titles at the same time since Billy Ziobro of Ash Brook in 1970, who did it within one moth of each event.

The 50th anniversary of Montammy Golf Club is being celebrated in grand fashion, with the 115th New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur Championship serving as the center piece.

The golf course, completed in 1966, was designed by Frank Duane, a renowned architect who previously had worked with Robert Trent Jones and then Arnold Palmer. Among Duane’s notable course designs are Braeburn GC in New York, Myrtle Beach National in South Carolina, Engineers GC in New York, the Bay Course at Kapalua Resort in Hawaii, and the Links Course at Half Moon Bay in California.

Duane constructed a rolling, tree lined golf course that is picturesque and challenging. Over the last five years, the course renovation plan has transformed the course into a true gem. The course is playable for all, with five sets of tees, ranging from 5,400 yards from the forward tees to 6875 yards from the championship tees. The greens are large and receptive with considerable undulation.