Palmeri, Zychowski Victorious In Tournament Of Club Champions

Steve Zychowski of Mendham, one of the state’s top amateurs, and high school student Arianna Palmeri of Colts Neck walked away as the winners in the NJSGA 2015 Tournament of Club Champions on Thursday, October 15, at Metuchen Golf and Country Club in Edison.

Zychowski, who was third in the State Amateur this year and runner-up in 2014, carded a one-over-par 73 to win by one stroke over high school junior Chris Gotterup of Rumson and 42-year-old Eric Hill of Picatinny in a field of 36.

Palmeri, 17, followed in her Red Bank Catholic High School teammate Nicole Totland’s footsteps. Totland won the 2014 TOCC, but a recent injury prevented her from competing. Palmeri carded an eight-over-par 80 that was three shots clear of Stephanie Harris of the Ridge at Back Brook and Liz Hickey of Spring Lake.in the field of 23.

PHOTO GALLERY MEN'S SCORING WOMEN'S SCORING

Zychowski, 23, who played on the golf team at Holy Cross, has played in six USGA events, including this year’s U.S. Four-Ball Championship with Sam Wallach. Last year, he was 11th among individuals at the U.S. State Team Championship, representing New Jersey. He has also competed in four U.S. Amateurs.

“I didn’t have the greatest of seasons this year. I was close a couple of times, and led The Ike early, but I never really putted well, and it held me back,” said Zychowski, who had one birdie and two bogeys at the TOCC. “This course played tough today. But I came in here just wanting to putt well and I did that and it gives me some momentum going into next year.”

Zychowski, 23, a five-time club champion at Mendham, has considered the mini-tour circuit. For the past year, he has worked for Economics Partners, a transfer pricing firm and he enjoys it.

“I’m going to concentrate on work this winter. No matter what tournament I’m playing in, I’m trying to win. I’m a competitive person. This tournament was full of great players, guys who have played here a lot and guys who are very competitive on the circuit, so it was a nice championship to win.”

Zychowski’s only birdie came on the par-4 fourth hole when he used a gap wedge for a knockdown shot from 120 yards that ended 15 feet from the hole. He sank a right-to-left breaking putt for the birdie. A couple of errant tee shots on a pair of par fours, Nos. 7 and 8, got him into trouble, but he was able to save par each time with some crafty ironwork and putting.

Palmeri this summer won her first club championship at Colt Neck in a playoff. Her career highlights include runner-up in the Monmouth County Championship to Totland and third place in the Shore Conference Tournament to Totland and Brynne Wiedeman of St. John Vianney.

This summer, she won a Junior PGA Championship at Westlake and had a pair of runner-up finishes on the Hurricane Tour.

“I went online and printed some notes on how to play each hole. I referred to them on each tee to picture how to play the hole,” said Palmeri, who is deciding between Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University for next fall.

“I wanted to keep the ball in play, play it safe and not three-putt, and I only did that once today,” said Palmeri, who carries a handicap of eight.

“I dented my old driver and got a new one Saturday. I couldn’t hit it for the first three or four holes, but it became my best club after that. The course played hard with the wind and the uphill par 4s over 400 yards. I didn’t come in here trying to win. I just wanted to play my game.”

As for becoming the second straight Redd Bank Catholic player to win this event, she stated: “We’re all friends. We compete and we help each other get better. My teammates serve to keep you stay motivated.”