Trevor Randolph Takes Lead In First Round Of 113th Amateur
Less than a year ago, Trevor Randolph made his presence known in New Jersey golf by winning the NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Trump National in Bedminster.
On Tuesday, Randolph’s round of 3-under-par 68 led the way in the first round of the 72-hole 113th Amateur Championship at Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly.
Randolph, a native of Maryland, was one stroke clear of another 2013 champion, 19-year-old Max Greyersman of Crestmont who won the Billy Y. Dear Junior Championship.
Tied for third place at 1-under-par 70 were Gregg Angelillo of Baltusrol, Ryan Snouffer of Panther Valley and Stephen Zychowski of Mendham. Collegiate standouts Lloyd Jefferson Go of Fiddler’s Elbow (Seton Hall) and Harrison Shih of Alpine (Columbia), both shot even-par 71. Defending champion Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake was in a group of players that finished a 1-over-par 72.
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Following Wednesday's second round, the field will be cut to the low 40 players and ties. On Thursday, the remaining golfers will play 36 holes and a champion will be determined.
Randolph was outstanding on his front nine, carding birdies on the par-5 second hole, the par-3 fourth hole and the par 4 eighth and ninth holes for an outgoing 31. The birdie on No. 4 came via a downhill 40-foot putt that found the cup. Randolph is playing in his second State Amateur. He was tied for 19th place in 2012.
“I played really well on the front nine, but on the back nine, I slowed up. I started making some mental errors,” said Randolph, 41, who lives in Franklin Lakes. Instead of a birdie from 20 feet on the 12th hole, I ended up three putting for my only bogey.
“I left a pretty good round out there. But I’m happy with a 68.”
Last year, Randolph was runner-up at the Met Amateur and Met Mid-Amateur. He had played college golf at Rice University.
Randolph played in a U.S. Junior in 1990 and U.S. Amateurs in 1992 and ’97. He also competed in the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Conway Farms in Illinois.
Taking time out from competitive golf to raise a family that includes three boys under the age of 10, the native of Bethesda, Md., still managed to win four consecutive club championships at esteemed Congressional Country Club in Maryland. He won his fourth this past Labor Day weekend.
“I want to win. I feel my game is in good enough shape. I was hoping I would be peaking around now. My game has rounded into shape. I’m not surprised with the 68 because I’ve been playing well,” Randolph stated.
“I’ve been working on my swing and my chipping. I really feel good about things.”
Last summer Greyserman graduated Peddie School and went on to play for the Duke University golf team this year.
He was a second-team Rolex Junior All-American and played in the British Boys Championship last August at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and Wallasey Golf Club for the second straight year. He was ranked No. 18 in the nation by juniorgolfscoreboard.com.
His round on Tuesday included five birdies and three bogeys.
“My ball striking was really good. I hit a lot of stingers. I hit it pretty good and didn’t get into trouble” said Greyserman. “At Duke, I didn’t play so well, mainly due to my putting and short game. Playing in New Jersey feels different. I’m more comfortable at home.”
