NJSGA Mid-amateur Will Award New Champion At Trump-bedminster

The New Jersey State Golf Association’s 30thMid-Amateur Championship will have a new look to it – and will award a new champion the Gigi Carnevale Trophy.

All this takes place September 10-12 at Trump National-Bedminster’s Old Course.

The field has been expanded from 50 to 65 golfers, who on Tuesday, Sept. 10, will attempt to be among the 16 players who advance to match play on Wednesday.

That day will see a Round of 16 in the morning, followed by quarterfinals in the afternoon. On Thursday, Sept. 12, the semifinals will take place in the morning followed by the championship match in the afternoon.

Part of the new look is that the event has been moved from a springtime event to one in late summer. Last year, the event was staged at Galloway National in the first week of May.

STATE MID-AMATEUR LIST OF CHAMPIONS

Defending champion Brian Komline of Black Oak is not playing due to the impending birth of a child. When Komline, 39, won last year, he was the first to win the NJSGA Grand Slam of State Open, State Amateur, State Mid-Amateur and State Public Links in addition to a State Four-Ball championship.

“We’ve added exemptions for the first time. Any NJSGA member over 30 who has qualified for a USGA event this year received an exemption. We’ve rewarded the better players,” said NJSGA tournament director Mike McAneny.

“We wanted to encourage the best players in the state to take part in it.”

The field includes eight former champions including Kevin McSorley of Charleston Springs (2011), David Pierce of Neshanic Valley (2010), Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake (2008), Mike Deo of Black Oak (2007), Allan Small of Fairmount (1986, 2006), Tom Gramigna of Tavistock (2002, ’03 and ’05), Harris Podvey of Rolling Greens (2001) and Tom Fallon of Colts Neck (1999).

Medalists included Patrick Piersen of Pine Barrons at the qualifier at Colonia and Billy Lodise of Royce Brook at Greenacres.

“One of the more exciting aspects of having the Mid-Amateur late in the season is the way it can impact the Player of the Year standings,” McAneny said. “This year, Pat Wilson of Panther Valley has a large lead for Player of the Year, but in any other year, it would be a huge deal.”

Male amateurs at least 30 years old with a USGA Handicap Index no higher than 7.0 are eligible for the Mid-Amateur.

This year will mark the first time the Mid-Amateur is conducted at Trump National-Bedminster, although in the past, the club has held a variety of championships, including the State Amateur in 2011.

“Mr. Trump has always been generous in offering his golf courses to the NJSGA,” McAneny said. “The Mid-Amateur at Trump National-Bedminster will be a true test over a championship golf course. We are looking forward to an outstanding championship.”