New Jersey Golfers Playing In U.S. Junior Amateur This Week At Baltusrol
When the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship commences on Monday (July 16) at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, the event will include at least two golfers from New Jersey in the field of 156.
Sean Taylor of Westfield and Will O’Neill of Morristown each claimed a spot in the event by finishing 1-2 at sectional qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur last month at Shackamaxon Country Club in nearby Scotch Plains.
Taylor is a Westfield High School senior who will play golf at Georgetown University, and the University of Rhode Island-bound Sean Taylor is a graduate of Morristown High School.
Taylor was the only player to break par with a 1-under 69, taking home individual medalist honors in the field of 65 golfers (54 from New Jersey) who vied for the two qualifying spots.
O’Neill, who shot 71, had the more difficult route to Baltusrol. He advanced in a one-hole playoff over Peddie School senior Armaandeep Singh of Princeton, who became the first alternate. Tyler Wilson of Andover grabbed the second alternate spot.
Sectional qualifying for the Championship was conducted at 58 sites across the country. So, in addition to Singh and Wilson, three additional New Jersey players played well in other sectional qualifiers and may still get into the main event at Baltusrol if a qualifying player cannot make it.
Brendan Hansen of Spring Lake was first alternate and Akhil Giri of Moorestown the second alternate in the qualifier at the Union League National Golf Club in Swinton, N.J., while Jack Wall of Brielle was the second alternate in the qualifier at the Lake Chesdin Golf Club in Chesterfield, Va. All alternates will be close to their phones right up to the first tee time on Monday, hoping for a call from the USGA.
This week’s U.S. Junior Amateur Championship will be played on both the Lower and Upper Courses at historic Baltusrol. “I’m like 10 minutes from Baltusrol, so for the past five years from when this site was announced, I’ve been waiting for this day to give it a shot,” Taylor said. “And, I’ve played Shackamaxon a bunch of times, so it was almost meant to be.”
“I’m super excited about playing at Baltusrol,” said Taylor, who participated in the 2017 MGA Carter Cup at the course. “My game hasn’t been that great lately, but I have a feeling I will play well there this week. I’m ready for the challenge. I’ll stay around par and get the job done. I’m ready to represent the state.”
Taylor and O'Neill.have the earliest tee times on Monday both at 6:45 a.m., Taylor on the Upper Course and O'Neill on the Lower Course.
There is something extra at stake for this year’s U.S. Junior Amateur champion. For the first time, the champion will receive an exemption into the U.S. Open.
It will be the 16th USGA championship to be played on Baltusrol’s hallowed grounds, dating back to the 1901 U.S. Women’s Amateur. But it will be the first U.S. Junior Amateur, for players 18 and younger, contested there.
“Hosting this Championship is in keeping with how this club was founded and has evolved. We are delighted to have the junior golfers here. It’s who we are; it’s in our DNA,” said Rick Shea, Baltusrol’s president.
The stroke-play qualifying will be conducted over two courses, namely Baltusrol’s Upper and Lower Courses. Both courses will play at a length of around 7,300 yards.
At least two young men from New Jersey will try to play their way to a national title in their home state.
