Havay shoots 3-under 69; wins medal in Amateur Qualifying at NJ National
The closest John Havay of High Bridge Hills has come to a title in New Jersey State Golf Association events was in the 2017 NJSGA Four-Ball Championship when he teamed with Dan O’Rourke of Oak Hill. That year, the duo lost in the final match to Thomas Urciouli and Will Voetsch of Baltusrol, just one year after losing in 20 holes in the 2016 semifinals to eventual champions Justin Chae and Evan Quinn.
Off his play the past two days, Havay is hoping he can add some laurels to his individual achievements. On Tuesday, Havay fired a three-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors at the second of five qualifiers for the 119th NJSGA Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank at the par-72, 6,663-yard New Jersey National Golf Club in Basking Ridge. The championship proper will be held August 3-5 at Arcola Country Club.
The 28-year-old Havay's effort today at NJ National came on the heels of yesterday's one-over-par 72 at Deal Golf and Country Club, good enough to earn a spot in the MGA's Ike Stroke Play Championship, Aug. 10-11, at Country Club of Darien in Connecticut.
Today's 69 for Havay was one shot better than the aforementioned Chae, a recent Duke University graduate who plays out of Watchung Valley. Tied for third place at even par 72 were Alex Pompey of Ridgewood, Chris Dejohn of Arcola, Randall Lazzaro of Trump National - Colts Neck, Roger Hoit of Baltusrol and Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm. A total of 17 golfers qualified for the Amateur Championship.
Additional qualifying rounds are set for Thursday at Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta, Saturday at Quail Brook Golf Course in Somerset, and on July 15 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
“I’m a little more focused in golf this year. My mind is a little more clear,” said Havay, the assistant caddie master at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. “I’ve been getting out to practice more in the evening. My issue is wayward drives. If I can keep it straight, I’m OK. My chipping and putting is my strength.”
His uncle, Mike Havay, the head professional at Quail Brook, got him started in golf and John quickly became a standout on the North Hunterdon High School team. At age 19, he became a full-time caddie at Trump National - Bedminster.
Havay’s best finishes in the Amateur were a tie for 31st place in 2016 at Tavistock and 34th place in 2014 at Knickerbocker. He was co-medalist with Bradley Roberts of Little Mill at an Amateur qualifier in 2014 at Oak Hill, and after playing in every NJSGA Amateur from 2014 through 2018, Havay failed to qualify in 2019. “I’m hoping to do a lot better this year,” he said.
On Tuesday at New Jersey National, he recorded four birdies against one par.
His longest birdie putts were a 25-footer on the par-4, 16th hole and a 12-footer on the par-3, 7th hole. He three-putted for bogey on the par-3, 4th hole.
“I never got myself in trouble today. I was down the middle all day and hit 15 greens,” Havay said, “And I knocked in a couple of long putts when I needed to.
