Semifinals Set for 41st Mid-Amateur Championship
Pictured: Clifford Lindholm
SWAINTON, N.J. - The semifinal matchups are set for the 41st New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship. Of the four semifinalists, two are former New Jersey State Golf Association champions – Michael Brown and Austin Devereux.
Defending his title, Michael Brown won the Mid-Amateur twice (2020, 2023), as well as the Four-Ball (2022) and the Amateur Championship (2021). He won his first match on Wednesday against Jason Bataille, 2 up. His quarterfinal match against Jeremy Wall was a back-and-forth affair, coming out on top by a 2 and 1 final.
“Jeremy played very well on the front nine and I was doing everything I could to just not fall too far behind,” reflected Brown. “The back nine has some really difficult holes and I didn’t do a great job of making birdies - I'm better at making pars. That’s how I was winning holes on the back nine – with pars. This place makes you look foolish at times, so it was a matter of who looked foolish less.”
Brown was down by one heading into the turn but dominated on the back nine, winning No. 11, 13 and 16.
“I'm going to need to play better if I'm going to win two more matches,” Brown added. “I'm going to try to be a little more aggressive tomorrow, especially with my putting. Today I was playing carefully, and I don't want to do that tomorrow.”
Devereux, who just turned 25 in April had a pair of matches that both went extra holes. The 2020 New Jersey Amateur Champion won his Round of 16 match in 20 holes against Ethan Wagner. He then took down 2023 NJSGA Player of the Year Troy Vannucci in 19 holes.
Medalist Clifford Lindholm found that Union League fit his game over the last two days.
“It's a longer course visually,” Lindholm explained. “It sets up to my eye off the tee. I've had a good strategy this week, keeping it short of most of the bunkers and trusting my short to mid iron game. I’ve been picking my spots and being aggressive into par fives and where you need to make birdies to win those holes.”
Lindholm, who regained his amateur status after a brief stint as a professional, has been enjoying his time back on the amateur scene. The 27-year-old won his morning match against 2021 Mid-Amateur Champion Eric LeFante 5 and 4. In the quarterfinals, Lindholhm took down Chris Lawler, 4 and 2.
“I played another Mid-Am event a couple weeks ago and had a great time playing that,” Lindholm added. “This has been a blast – so I’m just having a lot of fun out here.”
Andrew Giuliani of Trump National Golf Club - Bedminster also advanced to the semifinals. In his morning match, he took down Pat Wilson, 2 and 1 and defeated Anthony Campanile, 4 and 3 in the quarterfinal round. He will face Lindholm in the semifinals on Thursday morning.
Semifinal play will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Round of 16 Results
Clifford Lindholm def. Eric LeFante, 5 and 4
Chris Lawler def. Andrew Hurley, 7 up (conceded)
Andrew Giuliani def. Pat Wilson, 2 and 1
Anthony Campanile def. Thomas Urciuloi, 1 up
Austin Devereux def. Ethan Wagner, 20 holes
Troy Vannucci def. Brandon Dalinka, 2 and 1
Michael Brown def. Jason Bataille, 2 up
Jeremy Wall def. James Arbes, 6 and 5.
Quarterfinal Results
Clifford Lindholm def. Chris Lawler, 4 and 2
Andrew Giuliani def. Anthony Campanile 4 and 3
Austin Devereux def. Troy Vannucci, 19 holes
Michael Brown def. Jeremy Wall, 2 and 1
Semifinal Matchups
Lindholm versus Giuliani – 7:30 a.m.
Devereux versus Brown - 7:42 a.m.
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