Kozubal Wins 33rd NJSGA/NJPGA Senior Open; First Amateur to Win Since 2010
FARMINGDALE, N.J. – Winning wire-to-wire, Peter Kozubal of Fox Hollow became the first amateur to win the NJSGA/NJPGA Senior Open Championship since 2010, when Jon Tingley won the event at Alpine Country Club. Kozubal recorded an even-par 71 on Wednesday, June 2 at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club en route to his one stroke over Greg Baker of Rockaway River.
"It was a little nerve-wracking,” expressed Kozubal. “I started off with a birdie on the first hole, which was good, and proceeded to have three bogeys in a row, which had me a little ticked off to start grinding more. I started the back nine with five threes in a row, so four birdies, and that got me into a good position and calmed me down a little. It feels great, just feels great."
After Tuesday’s round, Kozubal owned a one-stroke lead over Baker. In the final round, Kozubal played the front nine at 2-over, turning in a pair of birdies and four bogeys. The amateur then rebounded on the back nine, carding four birdies in five holes. Kozubal closed out his victory with a par on the 18th hole to finish one stroke ahead of Baker.
Pete Kozubal gets it done with a one-stroke victory over Rockaway River's Greg Baker in the 33rd NJSGA/@NJPGA Senior Open Championship.
— NJSGA (@NJSGA1900) June 2, 2021
Pete is only the SECOND amateur in the history of the Championship to take home the 🏆!
Congratulations Pete! pic.twitter.com/OiQKzEQE3e
The victory marks his third NJSGA championship. Kozubal won 2019 NJSGA Pre-Senior Championship and the 2015 NJSGA Men’s Public Links Championship.
For the tournament, Kozubal led the field with 10 birdies and a 7-under score on the par 4s.
“It feels good,” said Kozubal. “Some of the pros who are in this -- like Jim McGovern and Frank Esposito, Brian Gaffney, Brent Studer, Greg Baker, and all these other guys. To come out on top of them, it's special. It's special.”
