Top Seeds Highlight Mid-Amateur Final Four at North Jersey
October 14, 2020 - Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm, winner of the 100th NJSGA Open Championship and the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Ike Championship, is looking to put an exclamation mark in one of the area’s finest seasons ever.
Costanza, 31, the top seed entering match play, is still standing in the 37th NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship after winning a quarterfinal match over Jason Bataille of Neshanic Valley, 8 and 6, and a Round of 16 match over Nick Loughlin of NJSGA eClub-North, 3 and 2.
He will face Troy Vannucci of Little Mill in the Championship’s semifinal round beginning at 8 a.m.
In the other semifinal, Michael Brown of Darlington meets Costanza's co-medalist, John Havay of High Bridge Hills. The final match will follow.
“I hit my woods and irons a lot better in the second match. I think I went three or four under, including a birdie on my final hole,” said Costanza, 31, who also was third in the NJSGA Amateur Championship and tied for fourth at the Met Mid-Amateur this summer.
In Tuesday’s qualifying round, Costanza birdied five of his final nine holes to share medalist honors with Havay. He is playing in his second Mid-Amateur, having reached the Round of 16 in 2018.
“I think I found something in those nine holes Tuesday. I’m hitting it much better. I feel encouraged going into tomorrow,” Costanza said. “I’ve been very good with my chipping and putting and my up-and-downs, which you really need out here. It doesn’t get boring around the greens.
After two delays during stroke play on Tuesday, the course rebounded well. Numerous players praised the outstanding conditions.
“You’d never know there was a monsoon here Tuesday. The staff did a great job getting the course ready for play today. I’m sure it will be better tomorrow.”
Vannucci, who last month tied for second in the Pennsylvania Open, lost in the Round of 16 in his first attempt in the Mid-Amateur last year. On Wednesday, he ousted four-time champion Trevor Randolph of Arcola in the quarterfinals, 2 and 1, after beating Brian Komline of Black Oak in the Round of 16, 5 and 3.
“I’ve got to keep the same game plan, fairways and greens, and don’t get ahead of myself. I’m looking forward to it.”
Vannucci built a 3-up lead on Randolph after winning the par-4, eighth and par-4, 10th holes with pars. Randolph battled back with an eagle victory on the par-4, 14th, hole, and a birdie victory on the par-3, 15th hole. But Vannucci birdied the par-4, 16th hole, when his eight iron from 147 yards ended three-feet from the hole for a 2-up lead that he never lost.
“You have to stay patient out there. I haven’t seen greens this pure in a long time,” Vannucci said.
Brown reached the finals by defeating Zach Arsenault of Little Mill, 6 and 4, in the quarterfinals and Mac Kellett of Hominy Hill, 4 and 3, in the Round of 16.
He has previously reached the final match, losing to Randolph in 2018 at Bedens Brook Club. That was the fourth Mid-Amateur title for Randolph.
“I’m close to playing the best golf of my career,” said Brown, 47, who in July won the Pennsylvania Amateur, his biggest win ever.
“I’m picking my spots better and hitting it better. I’m smarter. I manage my game better,” said Brown, a resident of Maple Shade.
Brown had his game in high gear in the match against Arsenault, registering three birdies. A seven iron from 161 yards landed a foot from the cup on the par-3, 13th hole, providing a 5-up lead.
“I’m getting more comfortable with the greens. This course is in such good shape that it really rewards good shots. I was a couple over par in the morning. It was one of those matches where the guy making the fewer mistakes wins,” Brown said.
“I’d love to win this. Everyone left in this championship is a top player. I have to be sharp in both rounds tomorrow.”
Havay, playing in the event for the first time, beat Paul Giovannoli of NJSGA eClub-North, 2-up, in the quarterfinal. He topped Brian Hart of Deal in the Round of 16, 3 and 1.
“Those were two tough battles today,” said Havay, 28. “I had two birdies against Paul, and that helped me.”
A decisive birdie came on the par-4, 14th hole, when his chip from 60 feet left him a three-foot putt. That victory put him one-up. Havay followed with a bogey victory on the par-3, 15th hole and never lost the lead.
“I’ve got to make sure I have more birdies tomorrow than I did today,” Havay said. “My putting let me down today. I had some three putts in both matches. You have to be really careful out there. Those 10-footers can roll past the pin pretty easily.”
