Pro-am Kicks Off State Open Week

State Open week opened with some low scoring at the Youth Foundation Pro-Am at Hollywood Golf Club today. If your Pro-Am team wasn’t prepared to shoot in the 50s, you weren’t going to finish in the money. Leading the low scorers was the Trump National – Bedminster team consisting of P.G.A. Professional Craig Smith and amateurs Joe Curcio, Richard Levine and Frank Pfeffer, who shot 56 in the net best ball of four event.

A match of cards at 58 determined second place, with the Prudential sponsor team consisting of P.G.A. Professional Bill Britton and amateurs Louis Kim, James Scafidi and Jon Tarnogursky prevailing over the Galloping Hill team of P.G.A. Professional Pete Busch and amateurs Jon McMahon, Peter Pogany and Phil Steinhardt.

All in all, six Pro-Am teams in a field of 26 teams finished under 60 on the par 71 Hollywood course.

In the Pro ranks, first place honors were shared by Mark McCormick of Suburban Golf Club and Frank Esposito, Jr. of Brooklake Country Club with 68s (-3). State Open defending champion Brian Gaffney of Rumson Country Club and Len Siter of Mountain Ridge Country Club finished one stroke behind with 69s (-2).
The Pro-Am benefits the NJSGA Youth Foundation, which donates the proceeds of the event to various non-profit organizations around New Jersey that support youth golf and sports programs.