Metedeconk National to Host 38th Mid-Amateur Championship
JACKSON, N.J. – The 38th New Jersey State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship will be contested at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, N.J. 48-year old Michael Brown is in the field and ready to defend his title from October, when he won at North Jersey Country Club, 2-up over Mark Costanza.
“If I can keep the tee ball in between the tree lines and the fescue, then I should be good," Brown explained. "I never really put enough stock into the fact that if you get into the match play, you’re not far away from winning. There’s four matches to win, but you’ve eliminated 75 percent of the field just by getting to match play. It’s one really important round.”
Metedeconk has hosted numerous New Jersey State Golf Association events since it opened in 1987, and for the first time in its illustrious history, the club will host the NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship June 8-10. The field consists of 72 golfers, age 25 and older, who have advanced from sectional qualifying or are exempt due to exceptional finishes in local and regional events. At stake is the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy.
“Metedeconk National is excited to host the Mid-Amateur (Championship),” stated Brent Studer, the club’s Director of Golf. “We recently completed a major bunker renovation, and tweaked a few green complexes. We’re excited to showcase the work, and see how the field reacts to the shot variety and angles around the greens. It will be fun to watch some of the best amateurs in New Jersey handle the new challenges.”
Championship week begins on Tuesday, June 8 with 18 holes of stroke play which will determine the match play field of sixteen on June 9 and 10.
One of the Garden State’s most prestigious venues, the 27-hole Metedeconk National is known for its championship pedigree and impeccable conditions. Similar to the 2017 NJSGA Open Championship, the Mid-Amateur will be contested on the 3rd to 1st nine rotation which is the club’s “championship” course.
“Metedeconk is one of my favorite courses in New Jersey because of how difficult it is," Brown said. "We played the New Jersey Open there a few years back, and it was firm and fast and really tough. The tee shots especially are difficult, so I’m excited to go back there and I think it’s a good course for me.”
Derek Kopp, Metedeconk’s Head Golf Professional, elaborated on some of the challenges.
“As usual, we expect the course to be firm and fast, and the undulating greens and varying wind conditions will be a test,” said Kopp. “If you ask me, almost every hole here is difficult, starting with the opening hole, No. 19, a short par four that will test every golfer right out of the box.”
The third hole, No. 21, is a difficult par 5, providing risk/reward for the big hitters. Hole No. 23 is a difficult downhill par 3 surrounded by water on three sides and bunkers guarding the right side.
A long par 4 with an approach shot to a well-protected green, No. 27, will challenge every golfer as they prepare to make the turn.
On the back nine, No. 2 is a long par 3 which plays slightly uphill to a difficult green complex. The following test, No. 3, is arguably one of the best par 5’s in the Northeast, challenging golfers with a difficult tee shot, lay-up, and approach to a narrow green guarded by bunkers and bent-grass collection areas.
According to Kopp, “No. 7 is a great par 4 that will challenge every golfer off the tee, as well as the approach shot into a difficult green complex guarded by water on the right side.”
Finally, contestants will face No. 9, the impressive uphill finishing hole, a long par 4 with an approach shot to an elevated green. The putting surface is guarded by a massive greenside bunker and steep false front.
Founded by the visionary Sambol family, Metedeconk National's 1st and 2nd nines, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., opened in 1987. In 1998, the 3rd nine, designed by Roger Rulewich was added, completing a spectacular course routed through nearly 800 densely wooded acres in the New Jersey Pinelands’ upper region. The club also boasts a state-of-the-art 40-acre practice area, including two acres of teeing ground, target greens, a 10,000 square-foot putting green, and a short game target area.
Coverage of the 38th NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship will be available at NJSGA.org, where live scoring, news, and recaps will be featured throughout the week. Also, be sure to follow the NJSGA’s social media channels for video, interviews, and in-depth coverage of the championship.
