PREVIEW: 41st Mid-Amateur Championship at Union League National Golf Club
NJSGA Visits Union League National Golf Club for the first time; 41st New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship Gets Underway June 4
SWAINTON, N.J. - For the first time in New Jersey State Golf Association history, a major championship will be held at Union League National Golf Club as the 41st Mid-Amateur Championship will be conducted from June 4-6.
41st Mid-Amateur Championship Program
Since opening in 2021, Union League has become one of the more appealing and unique clubs to open in recent years. Originally designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry in 1997 and opened as a public facility named Sand Barrens, the course was purchased in 2017 and transformed into one of the most visually stimulating courses in the Northeast.
Renovated by Fry and Jason Straka to feature deep bunkering, 27 acres worth of water hazards and mountainous terrain, Union League National will provide a tough test of golf for the 41st Mid-Amateur Championship. Tabbed the No. 15 ranked course in New Jersey for 2023 by Golf Digest, Union League National’s unique features will be on display as the major championship will feature both stroke play and match play.
Watch the Drop Podcast Episode on Union League National
Inside the Field
Out of more than 417 entries accepted, 81 advanced to the Championship Proper, including a handful of exempt players. Defending champion Mike Brown, who won last year at Deal Golf & Country Club is among the 19 players who earned a full exemption and will be competing at Union League.
One, 18-Hole, stroke play qualifying round will be played on Tuesday, June 4; the low 16 scorers will advance to two days of match play on Wednesday and Thursday, June 5-6.
Spectators are encouraged to attend, and admission throughout the event is free of charge. Use of carts will not be permitted.
PLAYER NOTES
A collection of notable players in the 41st Mid-Amateur Championship:
Peter Barron, 48, is coming off an appearance in the title match of the 92nd New Jersey Four-Ball Championship at Hollywood Golf Club alongside another former NJSGA Champion, Michael Brown. Barron, a product of South Jersey won the Mid-Amateur Championship in 2017.
Michael Brown, 51, is a four-time NJSGA Champion and is looking to defend his title after winning the 40th edition of the Mid-Amateur last year at Deal Golf & Country Club. Brown captained the 2024 New Jersey Compher Cup to a win over GAP at Union League Torresdale this past April. He's coming off a runner-up finish in the 92nd New Jersey Four-Ball Championship alongside Barron.
Brandon Dalinka, 30, is back in the field after taking a one year hiatus. The two-time New Jersey Mid-Amateur Champion won at Crestmont Country Club in 2019 and Somerset Hills Country Club in 2022.
Austin Devereux, 25, will make his first appearance in the Mid-Amateur Championship in his first year of eligibility. Coming off an appearance in the 92nd Four-Ball Championship, Devereux currently serves as the Caddie Manager at Manasquan River Golf Club. He won the New Jersey Amateur Championship in 2020 at Arcola Country Club.
Eric LeFante, 37, is one of five former Mid-Amateur Champions in the field this year, winning in 2021 at Metedeconk National Golf Club. In April, LeFante helped lead the NJSGA team to a win in the Compher Cup on GAP soil, picking up points in his singles match and half a point in four-ball.
Michael Stamberger, 52, a former two-time New Jersey Amateur Champion and Mid-Amateur Champion is set to make his 12th start in the championship after winning in 2008. In 2022, Stamberger finished as runner-up to Dalinka and was medalist in the stroke play portion in 2023 at Deal.
Jeremy Wall, 28, was a semifinalist in the 40th New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship at Deal Golf & Country Club and finished third in the 122nd New Jersey Amateur Championship. He's coming off a Round of 16 appearance in the 92nd New Jersey Four-Ball Championship alongside his brother, Ethan.
Troy Vannucci, 32, the 2023 New Jersey Player of the Year is coming off one of his most prolific seasons in the Garden State area. Compiling a top-5 finish in the 2023 New Jersey Open Championship and a top-10 finish in the 2023 New Jersey Amateur Championship, Vannucci is also seeking redemption after finishing runner-up in the Mid-Am two of the last three years.
Qualifying Results
Rock Spring GC
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